printing instructions

Copystand Regulations and Tutorial

There are two copystands at the Institute of Fine Arts, maintained by the Visual Resources Collections staff on behalf of the Graduate Student Association, and available for use for qualified researchers and scholars in making photographs from books and other flat materials. Both copystands are located on the sub-basement level of the Duke House, one opposite the Photographer’s office and one outside the Aphrodisias Excavation office.

Who may use the copystands: If you fall into any of the following groups, you may use the Duke House copystands. If you have questions about whether you are eligible, please consult with the Manager, 212-992-5872, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eligible groups: Current Institute and Conservation Center students. This includes students from other institutions taking classes at either the IFA or the CC. Please be prepared to show your IFA ID card for access and assistance. Current Institute and Conservation Center faculty. This includes visiting faculty. Qualified researchers who have been granted access to the IFA’s Library facilities. You MAY NOT photograph IFA Library materials without having been granted access to the Library first!

When the copystands are available: The copystands are available and accessible to VISITORS during regular staffed hours; they are available to the IFA/CC community whenever the Duke House is open. The copystands are self-regulated, and operate on the honor system. Users are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. You may, however, sign up for copystand time in advance, in two-hour increments; please use the paper sign-up sheets attached to each copystand. After two hours, you should be prepared to step aside and allow another colleague, perhaps with an equally pressing deadline, to use the equipment. Users are asked to be sensitive to the needs of their colleagues.

What you need to use the copystands: You will need a 35mm manual camera with macro lens and Kodak Ektachrome 160T or equivalent film for slides (click here for film suggestions). Information about films for other purposes is available from the IFA’s Photographer, Nita Roberts (212-992-5822). There are four cameras available for loan from the Visual Resources Collections; they are Pentax ZX-M camera bodies with Pentax 50 macro lenses. These may be borrowed during regular staffed hours. Two cameras are available for in-house use, and two for off-site use. Cameras may be signed out for no more than 24 hours at a time. For example, a camera signed out at 3:00 p.m. Monday should be returned no later than 3:00 p.m. Tuesday. Cameras signed out Friday are due the following Monday.

Valuable photographic information from Pentax is available on their web site, http://www.pentax.com. To download the user’s manual for the Pentax ZX-M, click on the camera image below.

click the image to download the Pentax ZX-M manual

What to do if you need help: Instructions for the use of the copystand are posted on the wall near both locations. Extra bulbs are stocked near both copystands; should those run out, please contact the Photographer. If you have never used a copystand before, individual instruction is available by appointment with the Photographer. She can be reached Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at 212-992-5822. You can also access our copystand tutorial by clicking here. The Visual Resources staff collaborated with the Visual Resources Association (VRA) to produce a technical manual, “Guide to Copy Photography for Visual Resources Professionals,” available for $15.00 through VRA’s website, http://www.vraweb.org/specialbull.html. Scroll down to Special Bulletin no. 11.

What to do if you want to photograph materials in our special collections: Please speak with the Library staff. Some materials are simply too fragile to be photographed.

All other questions about the copystands, cameras, their availability or use, should be directed to the Visual Resources Collections office, 212-992-5872, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Copystand Tutorial [return to top]

For color slides:
Use any tungsten balanced film. May we suggest one of the following slide films to be used with the corresponding exposure of the IFA's copystands:

Kodak color slide films:

Exposure Settings for Pentax ZX-M
Ektachrome 64T	1/30th of a second at f 8
Ektachrome 160T	1/30th of a second at f 11
Ektachrome 320T	1/30th of a second at f 22

Fuji color slide films:

Exposure Settings for Pentax ZX-M
Fujichrome 64T	1/30th of a second at f 8

For Black and White Prints:

Exposure Settings for Pentax ZX-M
Kodak Plus-X 125	1/30th of a second at f 8
Kodak T-MAX 100	1/30th of a second at f 8
Ilford FP-4+ 125	1/30th of a second at f 8

For Black and White Slides:

Exposure Settings for Pentax ZX-M
AGFA SCALA X	Shoot at A.S.A. 200	1/30th of a second at f 11

AGFA SCALA X can be purchased at most camera and film stores for approximately $10 per roll of 36 exposure film. For the best price go to B & H Photo, 9th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets. SCALA requires special processing, available at Duggal, 9 West 20th, Pier 59 or 560 Broadway at Prince Street.

Please use a camera that has manual capabilities. We have four such cameras available for your use on a first-come, first-served basis. Always remember to set the exposure yourself and leave the camera on the M (manual) settings. After you mount the camera check your settings again.

Carlyle Camera, Madison Avenue and 76th Street, offers next-day slide film processing for about $10 per roll of 36 exposure film. There are numerous film processing labs downtown that offer faster service and cheaper rates. Baboo, Carol, Duggal, U.S. Color, and N.Y. Filmworks are all reliable and relatively inexpensive. Don't forget to ask for a student discount. For the cheapest and freshest film go to B & H Photo, 9th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets. Call for information, at 1-212-444-6615 or 1-800-606-6969.