Need a creative suggestion please

[JerryReed]

I am looking for a simple yet fool proof way to set up my camera in such a way that its sensor is parallel to the flat artwork subject. I am currently eye-balling the set up and then correcting the error with Photoshop. My preference is to figure out a way to make the camera's central lens axis perpendicular to the art work. I can get the artwork (just about) level, and can get the camera level in the fore and aft and side to side dimensions (mostly) using a small carpenter's level for the artwork and a bubble level that fits into the hotshoe of the camera to achieve the same result on that end.

It just would be that ever so much more tidy to be able to say to the customer, with appropriate modesty, that the system insures that there is no change in the reproduction from original to the digital file.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Jerry Reed

[Alter_ego]

Jerry, how do you know that the hotshoe is level, and runs parrallel to the lens axis.. Have you tested it?
If you are sure that it is, you could measure from the floor to the centre of the artwork, place the centre of the lens at the same hight, and use a laser level on the hotshoe to fine tune the setup. You would of course have to measure the distance between the lens axis and the laser light, then theoretically, when the laser spot is the same distance above the centre of the artwork, everything should be set to go.
Does this make sense?

[Brooks]

Making sure your camera is square to a flat piece of art is always difficult. The easiest way that I know of is to place a small mirror on the wall where the center of the art would be. Position your camera so that you can see your lens reflected in the mirror. Replace the mirror with the piece of flat art and you're camera is now square to the art.

[JerryReed]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Jerry reed

[Dasher]

The other problem may be that the artwork is not parallel with the wall. Many artwork are hung and tipped slightly downwards. May not be perfectly level either. So it is difficult to get it right using the same technique on every piece.

But I think a good starting point is to measure the center point of the art, and set the camera lens axis to that height (as previously mentioned) , or slightly lower if the artwork is tipped forward somewhat.

[Rense]

Jerry,
Is it possible for you to put the artwork on the floor ?
If so, then you could you use a tripod like the Manfrotto 055PROB, where the arm can be put horizontal, so that you always have a 90 degree angle.

[notsotechie]

How About one of those tilt and shift adapter? might help see if they have on for you camera just a suggestion.

[Gomez]

I had an instructor give us this idea. Get a bubble level. Level the artwork on floor or table. Once you put camera over artwork and compose the image. Place the bubble level on the lcd sreen of the camera to level it with the artwork.

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