I would like to know what hardware/software are available to capture
products images to upload to the online shopping site.

For example, I am looking for professional softwares/hardwares that
would take a picture of apparel, with one click, capture both front &
side and/or back (depending on camera configuration), and the software
would save the file.

Also, if this sofware system provide SDK which can be
custom-integrated with our software, that would be even plus.

Normally, I can do this using simple digital camera, taking front, back,
side, but when I have 100 products came in today, it would be time
consuming to take pictures, and take out the SD card, connect to
the computer, copy the images and try to sort it out.  

So, ideally this camera system is directly connected to the computer,
and whenever I take pictures, it should save to the local hard disk
immediately.

Even if it's not apparel, it could be used for shoes, jewerlies, etc. 
Also, if they could also provide camera flash that would synchronize
when the photo is taken, it would be perfect.

Good example is those Photo ID system, that are used at Costco, except
that I need to take a product images, preferrably with multiple
cameras setup.

If there are company or independent contractor who could setup such
configurations, that would be a plus too.

The budget is up to $10,000.

Hello -

A company called Peace River Studios makes the "ObjectMaker Turntable"
product with software ($4930), shown here:

Channel 360
http://www.channel360.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=C3IIG&Product_Code=omt&Category_Code=

An object is placed upon the turntable (up to 330 lbs), which spins
360 degrees, allowing a single camera to capture multiple angles of
the product.

This product works in conjunction with Nikon D1 camera ($3200 street
price), which connects directly to a computer.  Pictures are stored on
the computer immediately when taking them.  The camera can also be
triggered directly from the computer as well.

Vendors selling the Nikon D1 camera
://www.google.com/froogle?price1=3000&price2=4000&btnP=Go&q=nikon+d1&scoring=p&price=between

Additional equipment manufactured by Peace River Studios:

Peace River Studios
http://www.peaceriverstudios.com/17_object/obindex.html
9 Montague Street
Cambridge, MA 02139 
888-884-3686
(or 617-491-6262)

---

A company called Kaidan makes a significantly less expensive product
kit ($320) that works with a video camera:

Kaidan Incorporated
http://www.kaidan.com/Detail.bok?no=5
703 East Pennsylvania Blvd
Feasterville, PA 19053
215-364-1778

The kit includes software and a turntable (which holds 20 lbs).

---

Anything3D is another company making turntables and software for
specifically capturing multiple 3D angles of products for integration
into computer setups:

Anything 3D
http://www.anything3d.com/product/xt350.php3
Anything3D
20 S. Linden Ave. #2A
S.San Francisco, CA 94080
sales@anything3D.com
Toll free: 1-800-880-1478  (may be temporarily unavailable; use email)

---

Please let me know if you have any questions concerning the research
above.  Thank you.

Search strategy:
"object photography"

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 09 Jun 2005 10:39 PDT

Correction: Nikon D1 camera is Nikon D1X

Good work. Thank you.

You're welcome.  Thanks for the rating.  Please stop by again!

jbf777