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Camera recomendation
Camera recomendation
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.
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.
Re: Camera recomendation
"Keith nuttle" <keith nuttle@sbcglobal,net > wrote in message
news:nC4Wj.3593$nl7.442@flpi146.ffdc.sbc,com ...
>I have been doing library research lately, and thought that a digital
>camera would work well.
>
> Can someone recommend an inexpensive camera that has the macro focus. It
> does not need a viewfinder. Something that could be tossed in the
> briefcase, set upon a simple stand over the book page, take a readable
> image of the page in the available light in the typical library, and then
> be quickly downloaded into my laptop.
Spouse & I have had experience using digital cameras in libraries and
courthouses to collect genealogical data. Based on that, I'd suggest:
1. Macro isn't necessary if you are taking pictures of most or all of a
standard letter page or ledger.
2. Using the LCD on a point-n-shoot is an advantage since it avoids the
problem of parallax.
3. You want something that performs well at moderately high ISO since flash
can cause problems with glare. Libraries are lit for reading, not
photography.
4. Some point-n-shoot cameras have a "text" or "copy" scene mode to assist
in this task.
5. If white pages tend to come out grey, you want to use the exposure
compensation function to increase the exposure. Try +1 to start.
6. If you are photographing pages in a book, the biggest problem tends to be
getting the pages flat enough. Weights or large binder clips might help in
the absence of a helper.
7. Don't forget to take a picture of the cover and title page as well.
8. Don't get too wrapped up in high megapixel count. 6MP should be enough.
9. Image stabilization (IS) or Vibration Reduction (VR) are handy in letting
you hand hold the camera.
Any number of small, inexpensive digital cameras will handle this. Find a
store with a number of cameras available and see which ones fit your hands
best. Try testing them on a sample page.
Good Luck,
- Astigmatic Owl
"Keith nuttle" <keith nuttle@sbcglobal,net > wrote in message
news:nC4Wj.3593$nl7.442@flpi146.ffdc.sbc,com ...
>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
Re: Camera recomendation
On Mon, 12 May 2008 19:43:37 -0400, Keith nuttle
<keith_nuttle@sbcglobal,net > wrote:
>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.
My Nikon Coolpix P2 has a "copy" mode in scene selection that is
specifically for copying text. I doubt if the P2 is still available,
but the current Coolpix models probably have the same feature.
This camera, by the way, has wireless transfer to the computer
allowing images to be uploaded without removing the SD card.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
On Mon, 12 May 2008 19:43:37 -0400, Keith nuttle
<keith_nuttle@sbcglobal,net > wrote:
>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.
My Nikon Coolpix P2 has a "copy" mode in scene selection that is
specifically for copying text. I doubt if the P2 is still available,
but the current Coolpix models probably have the same feature.
This camera, by the way, has wireless transfer to the computer
allowing images to be uploaded without removing the SD card.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
Re: Camera recomendation
Keith nuttle <keith_nuttle@sbcglobal,net > wrote:
> 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.
I used to use a 3MP Canon Powershot for photographing pages in
libraries. No macro mode was needed for photographing image-filling
book pages, and 3MP produced easily readable text of the smallest
print in footnotes. What was very useful was a small tripod with
reversible head so the camera could be mounted upside down between the
legs. That's now a very old obsolete camera.
Take a book into a camera shop and try things out. I suspect pretty
much anything will be good enough.
--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[ http :// www .dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]
Keith nuttle <keith_nuttle@sbcglobal,net > wrote:
> 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.
I used to use a 3MP Canon Powershot for photographing pages in
libraries. No macro mode was needed for photographing image-filling
book pages, and 3MP produced easily readable text of the smallest
print in footnotes. What was very useful was a small tripod with
reversible head so the camera could be mounted upside down between the
legs. That's now a very old obsolete camera.
Take a book into a camera shop and try things out. I suspect pretty
much anything will be good enough.
--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[ http :// www .dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]
