What camera and accessories do I need for taking photos of paintings made with acrylics?

Question

I currently have a 2 year old digital camera and am looking into taking professional photos of my artwork, mainly acrylic paintings. I was wondering, starting out, what is the best kind of camera and accessories that are required and which items might be a good idea to have. Would any digital camera work, or would a film camera be better?

I realize that if you take a picture with a film camera you can better guarantee the number of prints made; yet I want a digital copy of the final print (to do different things with) so that is not brought into account.

Asked by Kyra

Answer

Digital is better than film:

1. easier
2. film processing requires a pro lab.
3. if using film, you should shoot on transparency which requires an accuracy of 1/3 of a stop.

Raw files have +/- 1 stop flexibility. Raw files have colour temp flexibility. Digital is more sensitive to subtle variations in tone ~ therefore You should mix daylight and flash lighting balanced across the exposure area. That's the best solution for paintings.

Answered by Ian Hobbs

Check more discussion of this question.