Dear All,
Thank you to all those who responded to my request for advice on software
and a digital camera for use in an Archive. I had a good response with 13
replies. For the benefit of the list, here is a summary.
Digital Camera
For professional use in copying documents where the text may be small and
for copying photographs that are in albums that cannot be put flat on a
scanner the advice was the camera should be:
· At least 6 megapixel.
· It needs a close focus facility as most of the work the camera will
do will be in 30-60 cm range
· A SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Camera. Most digital cameras at the
cheaper end of the market are not SLR cameras. With a non SLR camera the
viewfinder does not enable you to see directly through the lens.
Consequently it is less accurate and so when taking pictures of documents
bits of the text may disappear off screen whilst other unwanted parts make
into the picture.
· Have at least 512K memory card, preferably 1 gigabyte or more.
· Have a copy stand, so long exposure shots can be taken without
camera shake. It is also generally easier to take photographs of documents
from above with a camera on a copy stand. Also it may be useful to have
lights that attach directly to the copy stand.
The one shot professional cameras recommended included:
· Canon EOS 300D (6 megapixel digital SLR camera) £699.00
· Nikon D70 (around £1000.00)
Other cameras recommended:
· Nikon CoolPix 990
· Nikon CoolPix 3100
· Nikon CoolPix 4500
· Nikon D100
· Canon 10D/300D
Software for Photographs
For software Adobe Photoshop was recommended many times. If the full
package is too expensive there is also a cut down version called Photoshop
Elements.
For thumbnails and listing we were also recommended Extensis Portfolio
Thanks again to all those who replied.
Debbie Usher, Archivist
Middle East Centre Archive
St Antony's College
Oxford OX26JF
UK
tel. +44 1865 284706
tel. UK 01865 284706
email: [log in to unmask]
web: http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/areastudies/meca.shtml
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