New Studio Test Photo Setup

[Photo-John]

I have been setting up a new office and studio and decided to improve our digital camera test setup. This is the new one - so far. I'm looking for suggestions about stuff to add. I want universally recognizable stuff that will help people to evaluate a digital camera's image quality. I was thinking of adding a can or bottle of Heineken and replacing the newspaper classifieds with something else that has fine print - maybe a dictionary.



Incidentally, this is an actual test photo from an Olympus Stylus 780 digital camera that I got last week. It's pocket-sized, weatherproof, and has CCD-Shift image stabilization. Neat, huh?!

Didn't know we had studio sample photos for digital cameras? Well, we do. Here's a link to all of them:

High-res digital camera sample photos >>

They can also be accessed via the digital camera pro reviews. Every pro review inlcudes links to corresponding full-size sample photos.

[mtbbrian]

Looking good!
I think the new location and lighting in said new location will help!
:thumbsup:
Brian

[cyberlord]

I hope the fruit is plastic or wax and the candy bar is just a wrapper.

How often do you dust this setup? Not that I looked for any or seen any, just curious.

And yeah, replace the classifieds. I wouldn't want my phone number up there.

[Photo-John]

I hope the fruit is plastic or wax and the candy bar is just a wrapper.

The fruit is fake - been using it for a few years now. The chocolate is real - just bought it. I'm not going to eat it. So it's ok if all the butter comes out. Since this is a brand new setup, it hasn't needed dusting. But I have thought about that. It will need dusting every time I use it. That's less work than setting the whole thing up every time, though.

[mjs1973]

Everytime I look at these test photos, the first thing I see in the Macbeth color chart, and the first thing that comes to mind is a Rubik's cube. Got one of those to throw in there?

[Photo-John]

Everytime I look at these test photos, the first thing I see in the Macbeth color chart, and the first thing that comes to mind is a Rubik's cube. Got one of those to throw in there?

No sir! I do NOT!

[MJS]

My mother in law got pissed at me for something or other one year and got me a rubiks cube for Christmas. Try doing one of those things when all you see is black, white and a bunch of gray. Nice set up John. Do you just use the on camera strobe for the shot or using it to trigger some umbrellas or a softbox mounted flash or two?

[Frog]

It looks good to me and I think a beer bottle with a colorful label would be good, too.
Since I don't know much about such things, would it help to have an 18% gray background?

[Skyman]

a couple of playing cards could be handy

[Photo-John]

would it help to have an 18% gray background?

That's not a bad idea. Although there is an 18% gray square on the Macbeth chart. I might have covered it up with the grapes, though. I kinda like the white background. And gray would require I buy another backdrop. I'm gonna ruminate on this one. Good idea, regardless.

Thanks!

[walterick]

You can't use newspaper it will yellow.

I think your mug should be in there John ;)

[another view]

Although there is an 18% gray square on the Macbeth chart. I might have covered it up with the grapes, though.

I think it's one over to the right from the gray square shown - been awhile though. Heineken can or bottle? Can? Really? Say it ain't so!

[SmartWombat]

Something with fur or feathers, perhaps both.
So that the nature photographers can see what their victims will look like ?

[Photo-John]

Something with fur or feathers, perhaps both.
So that the nature photographers can see what their victims will look like ?

That's an excellent idea. But I'm not sure if my cats will cooperate. I'll see what I can do.

[photophorous]

Something with fur or feathers, perhaps both.
So that the nature photographers can see what their victims will look like ?

I was going to suggest a wig on one of those fake heads, but a mounted racoon would be just as classy.

Seeing how hair detail diminishes at higher ISOs would be interesting.

Paul

[SmartWombat]

Perhaps there is a fur and feather cat toy out there?
Then your cat could have one too - cheaper than the tuna to pay modelling fees

[adina]

How about a mounted squirrel? I'm sure I could dig one up....I mean find one...

[photophorous]

I know....a Davy Crockett hat! And you can wear it out to parties when you're not testing cameras.

http://www.chichesterinc.com/DavyCrockettHats.htm

[drg]

Two suggestions.

I've felt these studio samples lack something in terms of a skin tone approximation.

The one other things would be a black trap to see the relative noise on an absolute black background at the relative exposures.

Common objects like the playing cards, chocolate bar, and the coke can are good inclusions. I always use a Heinz Ketchup bottle with Ketchup in it.

For the fine print, you might consider a custom printed document that has variable font sizes. Takes just a few moments in the word processor of choice and run it off on a 600dpi or greater laser printer and you've got a test document! Print the same paragraph or sentence in decreasingly smaller sizes.

O.K. one more thing. How about something shiny? That way if there's a CA problem the relative lens (certainly with P/S) can be compared.

[freygr]

The old standard TV test pattern for the printed document would be great. And you can find copies of on the web.

[Speed]

Great idea! I've read where Moose Peterson, and some other photographers recommend and use a stuffed animal - kids toy, though I guess a mounted deer head would work ;-) - to test how film or a sensor records fur.

[Speed]

Keep it simple. While it would be great to have every concievealbe item in there, sometimes less is more, and too much clutter may detract from the actual test. If you have to stand across the room and shoot at 20mm to get everything in, just how accurate is the test then?

Having said that, a teddy bear would be a great addition.