Digital Matters takes a look at some of the more useful technical and theoretical issues which underpin digital imaging, as well as my own experiences with various papers, inks, and hardware. Click on the buttons above to access additional pages.

My Equipment  
For a number of years I used a Minolta 700si single lens reflex camera to take pictures. I did not consider the early crop of affordable digital cameras to be of sufficient quality for my purposes, and many were obsolescent within months of their arrival. Moreover, as a Minolta user, I lived in hope that they might one day produce a DSLR that used my current range of lenses. Alas, since then, impatience got the better of me , and sometime late in 2003 I changed camps and purchased the Canon EOS 10D - an expensive move as I also had to invest in new lenses. As the Canon is such a good camera, I don't regret making the change, but it is disappointing that Minolta was unable to deliver 'the goods' when I needed them.

The scanning of 35mm film used to be undertaken with the Nikon LS20, but I upgraded (Feb 2001) to Microtek's Artixscan 4000t, which has an optical resolution of 4000 ppi. The LS20 had difficulty with the shadow areas of slide film, but the 4000t (with a Dmax of 3.4 and 36/48 bit colour depth) shows a considerable improvement. The Epson Perfection 2450 has now (Jan 2002) replaced an old 3-pass device that cost more and didn't even have a 'tranny' hood! Now I have a digital camera, the Microtek has fallen into disuse, but at least I know it's there for those rare occasions when I might need to scan film.

I replaced my Epson Photo EX printer with the Photo 1270 when it first became available. This is an  excellent machine, that prints up to A3+ size, quietly, yet efficiently, and produces stunning results. See page on Digital Consumables for information on 1270 media. My next printer is likely to be the Epson 2100, or similar, which uses pigment inks and two blacks for monochrome work.

Software  
The images on this site have been edited entirely in Photoshop, usually to remove minor blemishes, adjust the colour and tonal balance, and sharpen slightly; some illustrate the selective use of filters and multiple layers to produce more graphical effects. I tend to avoid excessive use of digital effects and manipulation, mainly because I'm not always satisfied with the outcome - especially if it has rather obvious signs of being a "Photoshop" picture. Currently, I am using Photoshop CS with its Camera RAW plug-in and File Browser.

Updates
10/06/06 Following K-Minolta's withdrawal from camera production, it would appear that Sony has acquired Minolta manufacturing plant and intends to continue the Minolta lens format in a new range of DSLRs. DP Review recently announced the arrival of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. This follows in the footsteps of the similar Minolta 5D, but has a 10 megapixel sensor and other enhancements, including a dynamic range optimizer and 2.5" high resolution LCD. It is good to see that there is still a future for the Minolta lens mount. The way things are going, I may yet bring my old Minolta lenses back into service.

15/09/04 Konica Minolta introduce the Dynax/Maxxum 7D, a 6 megapixel DSLR with built-in anti-shake, followed several months later by the cheaper 5D version. Good news for Minolta users who had not already changed allegiance, but sadly, too late from my point of view, having recently invested in a Canon system.

Sid Mitchell