Is anyone willing/able to give some views or feedback about the kopykake range? I'm not so good at free-hand drawing and wondered if this device might help me copy photographs.

Well Wendy, it was the first item I bought from the SAA and not a cheap thing for me as I live on Benefit. I set it up and had no joy at all. The projected image was so blurry I couldn't see it. I thought maybe it was because I was trying to do it too big so left it and used my old method of scaling using squared paper. I then tried again on a smaller picture but again found it useless. I was on the point of chucking it out thinking I couldn't even sell it second hand as it was so useless. I then thought of trying a less powerful bulb and it was while attempting to do that that I saw a little sticker that said "peel off before use". I then realised there was a protective plastic film over the reflective part inside. No wonder my pictures were blurry.I haven't actually used it since but I will keep you posted.

Please do keep me posted rosemary - I am curious to know how you get on.

Will do Wendy. I may have another go tonight. The trouble is it has to be dark, and that's when I'm most unlikey to feel like doing it.lol

Finally got round to it last night Wendy and to be honest I don't rate it that highly. The light is too bright so you can't see the image very well. It does work to a point and is OK for just getting an outline but wouldn't be any good for detail. I used to use a projector when my old camera took slides but of course we can't do that now with digital cameras but that used to work fine. There may be something else similar that works better than this but I didn't get to try before buying. I would recommend you do that if possible to avoid wasting your money.

Hi Rosemary We have hundreds of people using Kopykake projectors with good results, please call our sales team for advice 0800 980 1123 if you are having problems. They really are a very good way to get images down from photos or pictures. happy painting john

Hi John Is that the company that make them then or the SAA? I feel the bulb is too bright. Lights the room up too much so you can't see the image clearly. Rosemary

Hello All

Sorry for taking so long to contribute to this thread but I have only just come across it.

There are a few ways of projecting or making images of various sizes for tracing of photographs taken on digital cameras.

Some digital cameras can be connected direct to a suitable projector. You can then trace direct onto your chosen support.

Or you can download your camera images to a computer then use a printer to print onto tracing paper. Works better if you print in black and white if you can.
The problem is most home printers only print up to A4 pages which will only give you a maximum of approximately 28cm x 20cm print size, though if you have a photo editing program you can select different parts of the image to print and tape them together then trace onto your support. The other advantage of photo editing is the ability to alter the brightness and contrast.
I believe there are programmes that can turn the image into a drawing, though I have never used or seen the results.
If you have a scanner you can of course scan photo or prints.
Most public libraries have scanners that can produce up to A3 as do most photographic shops and have diy machines that can make prints from your camera or your card if your camera uses one I’m not sure what the maximum size available.

If you intend to scan anything be aware of copy write law!

Regards to all
David

Thanks David. I don't get on with the Kopykake at all. I had wondered if you could print out a picture in four parts so may give that a go and I'd not thought of printing on to tracing paper. I'll let you know what happens.

Rosemary

Maureen
Hi Rosemary
Have had a Kopycake projector from SAA for many years now and wouldn't be without it. Yes - you need a darkened room, but then it takes only a few minutes to get down am image. You can e-mail me if you want any further help. Let me know.
Maureen