Photographer Mitchell Feinberg has been using Polaroids to take test exposures on his Sinar 8 x 10 plate camera for some years, but the cost of using the aging Polaroid technology was starting to pinch. So Feinberg decided to create his own digital back for the Sinar 8 x 10 plate camera and created the world’s largest non-scanning color sensor array.
The new digital back, called the Maxback, fixes directly to the back of the Sinar camera and is capable of capturing a photo in 30 seconds. It creates images with a resolution of 3285 x 2611 and around 10MB in size.
Mitchell Feinberg explains how the cost of Polaroids was mounting:
“I used to shoot on average 7.5 Polaroids per photo, and I shoot between 400 to 500 images a year. That’s at least 3000 Polaroids. At 15 bucks a pop. Or about 50K per year, minimum. Polaroid was at one point my highest single cost.”
The Innovation Behind Maxback
Feinberg’s innovation with the Maxback is a significant leap in the world of large-format photography. Traditional digital backs for large-format cameras are often scanning backs, which means they capture an image by scanning across the sensor, a process that can take several minutes. This method is not ideal for capturing dynamic scenes or subjects that might move. The Maxback, however, captures the entire image in one shot, making it much more versatile and practical for a variety of photographic applications.
The creation of the Maxback involved significant technical challenges. Feinberg had to source a large enough sensor and ensure it could be integrated with the Sinar camera’s existing mechanics. The result is a digital back that not only preserves the high image quality associated with large-format photography but also brings the convenience and flexibility of digital technology.
Impact on the Photography Industry
The introduction of the Maxback has the potential to revolutionize the photography industry, particularly for professionals who rely on large-format cameras. The high cost and diminishing availability of Polaroid film have been significant barriers for photographers who prefer the quality and control offered by large-format cameras. By providing a digital alternative, Feinberg’s Maxback offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Moreover, the Maxback’s ability to produce high-resolution images quickly opens up new possibilities for commercial and fine art photographers. For instance, in commercial photography, where time is often of the essence, the ability to capture high-quality images rapidly can lead to increased productivity and reduced costs. In fine art photography, the Maxback allows artists to experiment with large-format digital photography without the constraints of film costs and processing times.
Feinberg’s innovation also highlights the ongoing evolution of photographic technology. As digital sensors continue to improve in quality and decrease in cost, it is likely that more photographers will adopt digital backs for their large-format cameras. This trend could lead to further advancements in sensor technology and image processing, ultimately benefiting the entire photography community.
In conclusion, Mitchell Feinberg’s development of the Maxback digital back for the Sinar 8 x 10 plate camera represents a significant advancement in large-format photography. By addressing the high costs and limitations of Polaroid film, Feinberg has created a tool that combines the best of traditional and digital photography. The Maxback not only preserves the high image quality of large-format cameras but also offers the convenience and flexibility of digital technology, making it a valuable asset for photographers across various genres.
Source: Gadget Lab : APhotoEditor : Image Credit: Mitchell Feinberg
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