Digital cameras for photographing books and manuscripts?
April 3, 2009 2:53 PM Subscribe
Are there any suggestions for an inexpensive (max. $300) digital camera to photograph manuscripts and book pages in libraries and archives?
I have yet to do this, but I understand that it has become commonplace for researchers. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I have yet to do this, but I understand that it has become commonplace for researchers. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I don't have any make and model suggestions, but I have some insight from personal, non-research focused use.
$300 isn't a huge cost for digicams these days. You'll either need something with good low-light capabilities, and good image stabilization or a tripod. Cameras with pre-programmed settings for various light types, but it'd probably be best to spend time and understand white balancing. If a big tripod seems like too much to carry around, you could look at table tripods, or the Gorillapod.
On preview - I should have searched the archives =)
posted by filthy light thief at 3:11 PM on April 3, 2009
$300 isn't a huge cost for digicams these days. You'll either need something with good low-light capabilities, and good image stabilization or a tripod. Cameras with pre-programmed settings for various light types, but it'd probably be best to spend time and understand white balancing. If a big tripod seems like too much to carry around, you could look at table tripods, or the Gorillapod.
On preview - I should have searched the archives =)
posted by filthy light thief at 3:11 PM on April 3, 2009
If you're putting it on a tripod (which I'd recommend), then low light performance becomes sort of a non-issue (same with image stabilization). Keep the camera at its lowest ISO setting and let the shutter open as long as necessary to get a proper exposure.
Really any camera can do this, but since you've capped the price at $300, you're looking at compacts (SLRs normally start above $450); in this case, I always recommend one of the Canon SD series. Fantastic all-around compact cameras.
posted by knave at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
Really any camera can do this, but since you've capped the price at $300, you're looking at compacts (SLRs normally start above $450); in this case, I always recommend one of the Canon SD series. Fantastic all-around compact cameras.
posted by knave at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
I know an SLR isn't in your budget, but in case you consider upping it: I would never une my Canon Rebel XS in a quiet library if people are nearby -- even with mirror lock-up, it's way too noisy.
You could go to a camera store to try a few for ergonomics (differences in hands -> differences in confort) and noise. You could also bring a book and do a few test shots.
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 3:41 PM on April 3, 2009
You could go to a camera store to try a few for ergonomics (differences in hands -> differences in confort) and noise. You could also bring a book and do a few test shots.
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 3:41 PM on April 3, 2009
Please be careful - if you are photographing works because individual pages have value or whatever, please be aware that opening the spines the whole way so you get a good picture is going to damage old, fragile books.
In archival settings, books are opened onto pillows which support the spine and photographed under glass without flash. If you want serious photos, the library you're using may have a photography service that can make high quality photos for you for research purposes.
If that's not your purpose, and you are using photos to replace the photocopier, it's unlikely you will get away with taking photos of every page in the building with a tripod set up. You're not going to get readability without some effort.
posted by wingless_angel at 3:50 PM on April 3, 2009
In archival settings, books are opened onto pillows which support the spine and photographed under glass without flash. If you want serious photos, the library you're using may have a photography service that can make high quality photos for you for research purposes.
If that's not your purpose, and you are using photos to replace the photocopier, it's unlikely you will get away with taking photos of every page in the building with a tripod set up. You're not going to get readability without some effort.
posted by wingless_angel at 3:50 PM on April 3, 2009
I've used my Canon Ixus 80 (SD1100 in the US) to photograph lots of archival documents this year. It has a 'focus check' which magnifies the centre of the image in review mode and in shooting mode with a half shutter press. This is very useful.
posted by mattn at 4:35 PM on April 3, 2009
posted by mattn at 4:35 PM on April 3, 2009
Frankly, the camera doesn't matter in this case. The big problem to solve is going to be the light. Flashes are highly frowned upon these days, which means extremely long-ass shutter speeds. What you need is a good quality copy stand. Then find any cheap, 4+ megapixel camera you like where you can adjust the exposure manually and you're all set. Don't even worry about flashes right off the bat, because then you've got to get stands, diffusers, just all sorts of expensive shit. Another cheap tip: if you don't use flash you don't have to worry about reflections when you lay a big piece of glass on top of the whatever-it-is you're shooting. Sometimes old books don't exactly lay flat.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:08 PM on April 3, 2009
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:08 PM on April 3, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. This is great information.
I apologize for not checking the archives in the beginning.
posted by AArtaud at 5:14 PM on April 5, 2009
I apologize for not checking the archives in the beginning.
posted by AArtaud at 5:14 PM on April 5, 2009
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posted by Monday, stony Monday at 3:07 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]