[Nhcoll-l] Imaging box for large and wet specimens

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

Hi all

Thought I would share this with the group.  We have just taken acquisition of the large MK Digital Direct imaging box that is new to their lineup for imaging large ichthyology and herpetology specimens (and anything else for that matter).  More on the manufacturer can be found here:

http://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/

Internal dimensions on the box are 32" x 20" x 20".  We had two minor modifications made to the standard box that herbaria have been using for some time (besides the size) - black internal lid to reduce reflection and extra fans to remove unwanted fumes.  The cost of the box was about $2900 with the camera and copy stand being extra.  We also had to fabricate an extension for the copy stand base as we found the box was tending to rock and roll a little on the smaller base.

I then went to our local glass shop here in Lawrence and had them construct a "wet box" for me which consists of a "fish tank" 31" wide x 19.5" deep x 5" high and a plexiglass stand that elevates the box off the base thus enabling us to keep the background out of focus.  It cost me $275.  This allows us to take images of specimens in ethanol and preserve external morphological characters that would otherwise be compromised or lost by taking images in air of dry specimens.

This system takes wonderful images of specimens immersed in ethanol with great lighting, no shadows and very little fuss.  We connect our camera to a laptop and control all camera functions from there.

I would be happy to share additional details if anyone is interested.

Thanks

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu<http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>

SPNHC President-Elect
http://www.spnhc.org<http://www.spnhc.org/>

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