Re: Camera recomendation


"Keith nuttle" <keith_nuttle@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:nC4Wj.3593$nl7.442@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have been doing library research lately, and thought that a digital camera would work well.

Can someone recommend an inexpensive camera that has the macro focus. It does not need a viewfinder. Something that could be tossed in the briefcase, set upon a simple stand over the book page, take a readable image of the page in the available light in the typical library, and then be quickly downloaded into my laptop.

Spouse & I have had experience using digital cameras in libraries and courthouses to collect genealogical data. Based on that, I'd suggest:

1. Macro isn't necessary if you are taking pictures of most or all of a standard letter page or ledger.

2. Using the LCD on a point-n-shoot is an advantage since it avoids the problem of parallax.

3. You want something that performs well at moderately high ISO since flash can cause problems with glare. Libraries are lit for reading, not photography.

4. Some point-n-shoot cameras have a "text" or "copy" scene mode to assist in this task.

5. If white pages tend to come out grey, you want to use the exposure compensation function to increase the exposure. Try +1 to start.

6. If you are photographing pages in a book, the biggest problem tends to be getting the pages flat enough. Weights or large binder clips might help in the absence of a helper.

7. Don't forget to take a picture of the cover and title page as well.

8. Don't get too wrapped up in high megapixel count. 6MP should be enough.

9. Image stabilization (IS) or Vibration Reduction (VR) are handy in letting you hand hold the camera.

Any number of small, inexpensive digital cameras will handle this. Find a store with a number of cameras available and see which ones fit your hands best. Try testing them on a sample page.

Good Luck,
- Astigmatic Owl


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Single use camera (PV2 from CVS, Ritz, Walgreen, etc.)
    ... >> get it working in Linux as an inexpensive camera for schoolchildren to use. ... This really is a digital camera, with flash memory inside, ... and an LCD screen on the back so you can delete your most recent shot (but ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)
  • Re: UVC cameras
    ... Recently I put an inexpensive camera on Squeeze and got a local image in ... To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-REQUEST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ...
    (Debian-User)
  • Single use camera (PV2 from CVS, Ritz, Walgreen, etc.)
    ... I picked up one of these "single use" digital cameras yesterday, ... get it working in Linux as an inexpensive camera for schoolchildren to use. ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)
  • Cooled CCD cameras - Recommendations?
    ... inexpensive camera out there with ... they, as is typical of scientific instruments, do not give you any idea ...
    (sci.techniques.microscopy)
  • - Real-Time Macro Video Camera?
    ... Using the macro focus on my camera, I can take incredible close-ups of my ... something that might be a new skin cancer. ... Free RAR, PAR, and yEnc decoders. ...
    (alt.photography)