What is the immediate benefit of digital imaging?  
Speed, quality, and versatility.

What are some of the long-term advantages of digital imaging?  
Easier archiving
Better return on investment due to wider access to images
Faster and cheaper distribution of images
More durable originals and ease of duplication

How do I know if digital imaging is right for my project?  

• Do you need product shots for catalogs, ads, inserts, brochures or packaging?
• Do you need lots of images?
• Do you have tight deadlines?
• Do you shoot prototypes or pre-production models that need retouching?
• Do you need instant worldwide distribution of images?
• Do you need to safeguard images in company archives?
• Do you need color or B&W prints within minutes of shooting your product?

If you answered yes to these questions, digital image capture is the choice for your project.

If, however, you need conventional photographic prints, large numbers of film duplicates of each shot, have long lead times, or your public can not utilize digital images, film might be a better choice for your project. Contact us, we will find the perfect solution for your needs.

Is digital imaging as good as film?   
Yes, or better, because:

• Clients in the studio can evaluate the image sooner and with greater confidence.
• Clients can direct our efforts from their office via our approval site, reducing time away from the office.
• Greater accuracy and consistency of color and exposure are achieved.
• Every saved shot can go to production (unlike Polaroids) Images can be placed in your layout immediately.
• Cropping options can be shown on screen.
• Digital retouching, compositing and other modifications are available in the studio to correct minor product flaws.
• Scanning expenses and delays are eliminated.
• Digital distribution of images is much cheaper than sending film originals.
• No chemical pollution is generated.
• Digital imaging and post production techniques allow us to create images of products that don't yet exist.

How long has Cambon been using digital?  
We bought our first Leaf system in February 1996. I started with Photoshop in 1994

Does Cambon shoot everything digitally?   
Virtually everything. Digital imaging is our first choice for many reasons. We haven't shot film in years, but will consider it for special situations. Our goal is your complete satisfaction so we choose the best system for your needs.

How do you shoot a digital image?   
With our Leaf systems, the image is previewed on screen, recorded digitally by the camera's six million pixel CCD, processed by the system's computer and viewed on a color monitor showing more in less time than possible with film. Our Nikon is best outdoors in untethered mode, but can be tethered to our Powerbook for full screen image review.

What about color in digital imaging?   
With digital imaging, you get greater accuracy and consistency of color because digital imaging enables us to define and control color to a degree impossible with film.

How does digital imaging help the graphic design process?   
We put your layout in the system and position products on set to fit your design. The shot progresses faster, every variation can be saved and compared and we don't wait 2hrs for film to process. Once the shot is captured, we size, scale and convert it to CMYK and you don't wait 24 hrs for scanning. We say, "Shoot digital, save time."

What if my project requires black and white?   
Digital imaging provides the same great benefits (and more) to B&W projects, such as:

• saving production time by eliminating processing time for film and prints;
• improving B&W reproduction by using the original file (first generation) instead of a scan from a print (third generation);
• improving B&W reproduction by allowing selective enhancement of tonality, through curves or channel mixing improves marketing credibility and saves time by using the same retouched images that appear in color.

What are the major differences in digital imaging systems?   
There are primarily two types of digital image capture systems used in cameras today. They differ in the shape of sensor and method used to collect data. A scanning camera uses a linear array that moves during the exposure to collect data. An area array is a CCD or CMOS chip that is stationary or moves very slightly during a series of exposures.

Scanning cameras need a constant light source for the exposure whereas area array systems can use any light source with a single or multiple exposures. Both systems react only to shades of gray, and generate color through RGB filtration.

In a multi shot area array camera, successive exposures are made through RGB filters and interpreted by the software to make color. A scanning camera will make successive scans through RGB filters and interpret data. A single shot camera generally has a permanent filter in front of the chip that attempts to filter individual pixels or rows of pixels to create RGB information. All systems have advantages and disadvantages.

Why does Cambon Studios use the Leaf system?   
We selected the Leaf system because it uses strobe lighting, which has long been the standard for commercial photography because of its color consistency and motion stopping ability. The Leaf system has been around the longest, is used most widely for the kind of work we do and features both three-exposure and single-exposure systems.

Can you capture moving subjects digitally?   
Yes, the Nikon is great for this although we often use one of our Leaf systems. Occasionally we consider film, but we have not shot film for any major project since 1999.

Can you shoot liquids in motion digitally?  
Yes, we have done it many times, everything we shoot for Waterpik is shot digitally.

What about wide-angle perspective and camera movements?   
Our Sinarcam allow us to use any Nikon lens and our view camera for traditional or radical use of camera movements. Our Nikon D1x is slightly more restricted, because it uses a CCD smaller than 24x36mm

What if I need a different size image next week?   
Call us and we will resize the image to fit your exact needs. Because we work from the original 42 bit file, we can generate small or large files to your specifications with no loss of image quality.

Can I just resize my own files?   
Yes, but in larger sizes our files will generally give you better results.

What if I need a transparency?   
Call us and we will make one for you or make a file to your specifications.

Can you make large trade show prints or transparencies?   
Yes. We have made dazzling 40x60 color ink-jet prints and transparencies that equal or surpass those from film in apparent sharpness and color saturation.

What if I need 4x5 or 8x10 press release prints?   
Easy. We will make them on our Fujix Pictrography 3000 from your digital files, and they will equal or surpass anything you have ever gotten from film. Plus, they will include any retouching we have done for you and type as you specify or provide.

How big can a digital image be?  
Very big. One of our trade show images was 30x40 feet.

What about ColorSync?  
We have invested heavily in ColorSync training and tools. It can bring wonderful consistency and control to color issues. Getting the best results takes serious effort, however.

What if I need files for PCs?  
We have many clients who work with PCs. We have been making compatible files for many years.

How do I keep track of digital files?  
A good filing system is a must, facilitated by cataloging software and a person to administer the collection. We have built several digital archives that are far easier to administer than film archives and offer excellent return on investment.

Why haven't I used digital imaging by Cambon Studios  
before now?
We don't know. But when you do we will spare no effort to exceed your requirements.