Basic Bundle

stock hardware

All of the “off-the-shelf” hardware needed for a Slabmsith A-frame style photostation.

Photostation Stock Hardware Essentials

Most of the “off the shelf” stock hardware required for a Slabsmith™ photostation installation can be purchased online.  This page lists the stock hardware and links necessary to set up a Slabsmith “Basic Bundle” photostation.  Parts may be purchsed from any vendor as long as you order the specific models referenced on this page.

While this page lists all the easily available hardware, a complete setup also requires three pieces of custom fabricated hardware: an A-frame, a camera stand, and light stands.  See the custom hardware section of this web site for more information.

 Camera gear

Qty Description Vendor Part # Cost/unit Extended
1 Canon T8i (T6i or T7i is also acceptable) (USA)
Canon EOS 850D (EOS 750D or 800D is also acceptable) (EU)
B&H Photo Canon T6i/T7i/T8i (USA)
Canon EOS 750D/800D/850D (EU)
$749.00 $749.00
1  18-55 zoom f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
Note: While the 18-55 zoom makes set-up easy, better lenses are available, see “Prime lens…” below.
B&H Photo MFR(Canon)# 2942B002
BH# CA185EFS
$199.00 $199.00
1 Canon AC Adapter for T6i/T7i/T8i
IMPORTANT:   The Canon adapter is recommended over third-party adapters.
B&H Photo MFR(Canon)# ACK-E18
BH# CAACE6NDCCK
$139.00 $139.00
1 Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head B&H Photo MFR(Manfrotto)# 410
BH# MA410
$300.00 $300.00
1

(Canon T6i or T7i)USB 2.0 – A/Mini-B Cable

(Canon T8i)USB 2.0 – A/Micro-B Cable
Note:
Must be long enough to reach from the photostation computer to the camera.  If this distance is over 25’/(7m), contact us for options.

Amazon
(T6i or T7i)

Amazon
(T8i)

Generic $10.00 $10.00
Approximate camera gear total (USD): $1,397.00

Prime Lens info and selection

Prime lenses are lenses with a fixed focal length (they don’t zoom).  This means less “glass” in the lens, resulting in sharper, higher-contrast images.  The downside is slightly harder and restricted setup of the photostation.  Since the lens does not zoom, the camera must be place at a specific distance from the photostation A-frame.   If you are willing to spend a little more time and effort on the initial setup, using a prime lens will improve your pictures forever.

The chart below shows the correct prime lens to use on the Canon Rebel/EOS cameras for the specified distance between the camera and the photostation A-frame.

Approx. distance
camera to A-Frame
Canon prime lens
Feet Meters
15.5 4.72 EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM (Overhead installations)
19 5.9 EF 35mm F/2 IS USM
21.6 6.6 EF 40mm F/2.8 STM
27 8.2 EF 50mm F/1.8 STM
45.5 13.9 EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

 Flash gear

(North America only)

Qty Description Vendor Part # Cost/unit Extended
4 Alien Bee B800 Flash Units
B800’s work only on 120v.
For other options, see below.
Paul C. Buff B800 $300.00 $1200.00
1 Spare Flash Tube for B800 Flash Paul C. Buff AWFT14MMUV $50.00 $50.00
2 CyberSync Receiver Paul C. Buff CSR $70.00 $140.00
1 CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
Mounts on the camera hotshoe to fire the flash remotely.
Paul C. Buff CST3 $90.00 $90.00
1 USB 3.0 – A/C  15′ cable
Provides power to the CST3 Transmitter
Amazon USB A to C $9.00 $9.00
4 Cam brackets
Mounting bracket from flash to flash stand
Paul C. Buff EC32
(Alternate: Godox #FH03)
$20.00 $80.00
Approximate flash gear total (USD): $1,569.00

For customers outside of North America

The flash manufacturer does not ship internationally. 

Outside of North America we recommend a different flash unit that supports both 125v/240v.  If you are in Europe, you can order the recommended flash gear from Flitsen Flash.  Expand the section below for ordering information.  

If you are outside of North America and Europe, we can facilite the shipment of the flash units to your facility.  Contact us for details.

Flash Gear list for Europe

Please see below for a list of the flash gear using Einstein flashes instead of B800’s.

Qty Description Vendor Part # Cost/unit Extended
4 Einstein Flash Unit Flitsen Flash E640 €640.00 $2,560.00
4 7″ Standard Reflector Paul C. Buff 7AB/R €25.00 $100.00
2 Spare Flash Tubes for Einstein Flash Paul C. Buff MAXFT12MMUV €70.00 $80.00
4 CyberSync Transceiver
one for each flash unit
Paul C. Buff CSXCV €55.00 $220.00
1 CyberSync Trigger Transmitter
mounts onto the camera hotshoe to fire the flash remotely
Paul C. Buff CST2 €90.00 $90.00
4 Cam brackets
mounting bracket betwen flash and stand)
Paul C. Buff EC32 €27.00 $108.00
Approximate Flash Gear Total: €3,158.00

 

 Calibration targets

Qty Description Vendor Part # Cost/unit Extended
1 Calibration targets Northwood Designs
+1 315.287.2877
Calibration Targets $900.00 $900.00
+shipping
3

3 sheets – 4′ x 8′ x 3/4″ Building styrofoam
(for 2cm calibrations)

and/or

3 sheets – 4′ x 8′ x 1″ Building styrofoam
(for 3cm calibrations)

NOTE: If your camera is 20′ or more from the A-frame, you can use either 3/4″ or 1″ for both 2cm and 3cm calibrations.

Any Buidling supply co. Building styrofoam $? $?

Label printer

Qty Description Vendor Part # Cost/unit Extended
1 ZD220t – Zebra Thermal Transfer printer
Do NOT purchase the ZD220d printer, it is for paper labels which will quickly fade.
A second printer may be purchased for use in the office to print remnant (off-cut) labels during layout.
Barcodes, Inc. MFR(ZEBRA)# ZD22042-T01G00EZ $433.00 $433.00
1 4″ x 2″ Polypropylene label roll (1000 labels)
Do NOT purchase paper labels, they do not work with this printer
Amazon MFR(ZEBRA)#3000T $215.00 $215.00
1 4″ Thermal transfer ribbon (12 Pack)
Amazon MFR(ZEBRA)# 18932 $46.00 $46.00
Approximate printer gear total (USD): $694.00

Other printer options.

If you currently have a printer that you use to print labels, it should work with Slabsmith.  You may just need a custom label, call us to arrange for a custom label.

While any Windows printer will work, if you need labels that can stand up to the elements and don’t fade over time, you should be looking for a printer that prints on a “plastic” base that is specifically designed for long term durability.

Slab Consumer/Locator scanner

Qty Description Vendor Part # Cost/unit Extended
1 Zebra DS2278 CORDLESS Bluetooth Scanner
(with Cradle & USB cable)
Amazon MFR(ZEBRA)#DS2278-SR7U2100PRW $170.00 $170.00
Approximate scanner total  (USD): $170.00

 

The scanner for the Slab Consumer/Locator is optional, but recommended.   They can both be operated manually.

If the scanner is used, the operation is faster, greatly reduces the possibility of operator error and provides additional error checking.  ( There is a warning slab scanned is not part of the current cut job.)

Approximate total of stock hardware costs

Qty Description Vendor Part # Cost/unit Extended
All
  • All listed hardware from above.
  • This is a MINIMUM cost and does not include shipping, taxes, or optional equipment such as a prime lens.
  • Your stock hardware costs will be somwhat higher than this approximation.
Various sources Approximate “Basic Bundle”
equipment total (USD):
$4,789.00