Academic Imaging Associates

Digital Imaging Technology and Equipment for Libraries, Museums,
Laboratories and Field Work

HIGH PERFORMANCE 4x5 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Feature Overview

Works with any 4x5 view camera, lenses, and accessories

Inserts into a standard 4x5 view camera like a film holder
Focus and compose normally on the camera's ground glass
Compact, lightweight design allows a full range of camera movements
Large image area preserves lens coverage and perspective-(72 x 96 mm; 120 mm diagonal)
Use with any continuous light source-- (including tungsten, daylight, HMI, or fluorescent lighting)
Rechargeable battery and carrying case option-- for complete portability (any model)


Reproduction quality superior to film

High resolution, uninterpolated scans without film grain
-8000 by 10640 pixels, 244 MB rgb file (model 8000)
Wide dynamic range with clean shadows and highlights--9+ f-stops;
12-bit data converters with 14-bit data path and output tables
Wide color gamut with excellent separation of similar hues

Flexible controls for optimized results

Continuously variable equivalent daylight sensitivity
-from ASA 50 up to ASA 800 (model 8000)
Continuously variable, automatic color balance assures accurate neutrals
Precisely adjustable image contrast and tonal gradation
Variable cropping for exact output image dimensions
User-selectable image resolution optimizes scan time and image file size
Line exposure times from 1/8 up to 1/120 second in 1/3 f-stop increments
Digital spot metering for accurate determination of exposure values
Digital focus verification for critical focus adjustment with insert in camera
Single-pass color, monochrome, or infrared scans
Save 8 or 16 bits per color for increased precision


State-of-the-art performance for efficient work flow

Up to 120 million pixels per minute capture rate
Scan high resolution (6000 by 8000,137 MB rgb) images in as little as 66 seconds
Scan low resolution (1500 by 2000, 8.5 MB rgb) images in as little as 16 seconds
Scan 2 MB preview images in as little as 7 seconds
On-the-fly pixel corrections, resolution reduction, and toning
Internal disk drive allows background scanning
High-speed SCSI batch retrieval of stored image files

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Better Light Digital Scanning Cameras
TECHNICAL FEATURES

Kodak Trilinear Color CCD Technology for unsurpassed image quality
the best color separation filters in the industry
very high dynamic range with low noise and smooth gradations

Distributed Intelligence maximizes system performance
microcontroller in insert controls CCD exposure and motor drive
digital signal processor in control unit handles all pixel data processing
microprocessor in control unit operates and monitors all other functions

Triple, Variable-Speed Data Converters optimize data flow
high-speed data rate over 120 million pixels per minute
slower rates for longer exposures permit additional pixel processing time
synchronized conversion and data transfer for lowest noise

Line-Frequency Flicker Rejection with synchronous integration times
allows the use of lower wattage tungsten and standard fluorescent lighting

Enhanced DSP Resolution Reductions with a wider range of values
noise and effective bit depth both improve at lower resolution settings
scan time decreases with lower resolution settings

14-bit Data Path and Lookup Tables refine image quality
improved smoothness in shadow areas
"raw" (unprocessed) data is 14-bits (expanded to 16-bits) per color
intelligent drift correction virtually eliminates artifacts during longer scans

Continuously Variable Color Balance for precise neutrals
eliminates the possibility of color fringing from CCD exposure differences
allows continuously variable exposure sensitivity up to ASA 1600

Larger, Faster Pitch Lead Screw enhances drive system performance
increased scan length for improved 3:4 aspect ratio and greater coverage
significantly reduced potential for scan motion artifacts
fast end-to-end travel time under 5 seconds

Compact, Integrated Control Unit with internal universal AC power supply
flash memory for easy firmware upgrades without opening unit
optional high-performance internal disk drive for image data storage
fast SCSI-2 port for rapid image data transfers
optional portable system weighs less than 10 kg. (without laptop computer

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Model 4000E* Native Maximum
Resolution @ 100% 3750 x 5000 		  Image Size @ 300 ppi 12.5" x 16.7" 20 Number of
Resolution Options 5
Model 6000E* 6000 x 8000 (24 bit RGB File) (53 MB)   20" x 26.7" 8
Model 6000-2 Super 6K-2™ 6000 x 8000 (137 MB) Enhanced Maximum
Resolution @ 150% 9000 x 12000 (24 bit RGB File)(309 MB)		 26.7" x 35.5" EM 30" x 40" 8
Super 8K-2™ 8000 x 10600(244 MB) 12000 x 15990 (549 MB) 34" x 46" EM 40" x 53.3" 12
Super 10K-2™ 10200 x 13800 (402 MB) 14836 x 20072(852 MB) 49.5" x 66.9" 12

Select from three models with highest performance specs of any scan back on the market. The SuperModels have improved sensitivity, maximimized resolution levels plus offer precision control over the image capture…making Better Light synonymous with extraordinary large format digital captures.

The new models Super Models will do all that previous Better Light inserts have done … but do it better and bigger with spatial and dynamic improvements:

Twice as many pixels for larger files and more detail. Increased bit depth for the smoothest color transitions.

The SuperModel product line provides photographers with an efficient means to generate higher resolution, firstgeneration digital images and to gain these additional resolution levels at a very reasonable price.

With Enhanced Resolution™, the Super 6K-2, Super 8K-2 and Super10K-2 offers the photographer the capability to increase the resolution in several additional increments up to 150% of the previous pixel dimensions and to create file sizes up to 2.25 times larger than the current models. Unlike post-capture interpolation, the Enhanced Resolution settings record additional image information during the scan for sharper, more detailed images.

As with other Better Light camera models, the resolution up to 100% is pure, “native” RGB pixel data. At resolution levels above 100%, the long dimension (scan direction) will remain as pure pixel information, while the narrow dimension will use minimal interpolation to complete the image. By utilizing a linear (one direction) redistribution of the original CCD pixel data, the resulting images will have more detail than is the result from resampling a smaller file in Photoshop to the same pixel dimensions. In the worst case (150% res), this technique uses data from 2 pure pixels to create 3 pixels.

Better Light's most versatile 4x5 scanning backs
feature the latest in CCD technology from Kodak that has
doubled the sensitivity range of the previous sensor AND
improves image quality at the same time. The new K-2
CCDs make these scan backs the fastest and most
sensitive such units available, with two to three times
the light sensitivity of competing units -- up to ISO 3200
at any resolution setting for the Super6K-2.

All Better Light scan backs are portable for location
photography with the battery-operated Portability
Option. Special adapters are also available to use any
scan back model on the Mamiya RB and RZ-67 or Fuji
GX680 cameras with an special adapter. Seamless
panoramic and rollout images can also be captured using
our unique Pano/WideView Adapter.



Internal Hard Drive
(in Control Unit) 6 GB 6 GB 6 GB 18 GB 18 GB 18 GB
FAST Pre-Scan Time 8 seconds 8 seconds 8 seconds 8 seconds 12 seconds 21 seconds
Minimum Scan Time 41 secs. 66 secs. 66 secs. 100 secs. 200 secs. 335 secs.
Full Image Size for 53 MB scan for 137 MB scan for 137 MB scan for 30)9 MB scan for 549 MB scan for 852 MB scan
Adjustable ISO Range 100 - 1600 Daylight 100 - 1600 Daylight 200 - 3200 Daylight 200 - 3200 Daylight 125 - 2000 Daylight 64 -1000 Daylight
(1/10 f-stop increments) (new 2X CCD) (new 2X CCD) (new K-2 CCD) (new K-2 CCD

 

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Academic Imaging Associates

P.O. Box 192, 172 Carlen Street
Manchester Center, VT 05255
V 802.362.3169 F 802.362.0760
 Academic Imaging Associates

Manufacturers of Technology, Lighting and Devices of Interest to Digital Libraries,
Archives, and Scientific Institutions

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