Take Your Camera

[bwarnerok]

Cameras are not just for tombstones anymore. If your digital can take a decent picture, I've found it's the best way to "copy" what I find in the books in libraries.

I have yet to find a librarian attack me. It's actually a bit friendlier than a photocopier since you don't need to press the book and risk injuring it's spine to get a non-distorted image.

No standing in line for the photocopier, no expense and great for getting information for others as you can come straight home, download to your computer and email it off.

I use my camera set to over 1000 pixels and snap away.

[Neil Wilson]

Good idea, except I have heard of some Records Offices in the UK stopping customers using cameras - reason, they were losing revenue from the copying machines.
You win some and lose some, just don't use the flash ;)

[bwarnerok]

Good news is that you can still do it at the National Archives... just tell them you have a camera when you check in.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/photopolicy.pdf

[Colin Moretti]

I've found it invaluable. However, there seems to be no common response by libraries and archives to the use of cameras; I've had every shade from no restriction of any sort to an outright ban.

Always seek and get permission to use a camera before you attempt to take a photo and never use flash.

Colin

[uksearch]

Here at MCL the standard cost is £5.00 per half day for using a camera, but they do allow flash. The reason for this is the very "orange" lighting in the Archive reading room. At Lancashire RO, it's a fiver per day and absolutely no flash. They also do not allow "noisy" cameras, so anything that has bells and whistles on it is a no no.

UK

[Ladkyis]

Some record offices have had problems with 'researchers' photographing stuff that is copyright protected or just taking so many photographs that they can't all be for their own research - I believe Gwent Record Office actually confiscated a camera when the photographer (someone I know of old) refused to stop taking pictures and got a bit bolshy. They now charge a fee - I think it is £3 but don't quote me - for use of a camera.

[alanjw]

I always take my camera to record details, when I visit the local archives. The only problem being, is that I have to fill in a form for every document I take a photo of.

[JIMEDWARDS]

Ideal for Maps, such as Tythe, Estate etc. For large maps its a good idea to take allong a stick or rod to make sure the camera is held at the same distance for each shot, you can then stitch the images together in a program like Photoshop.

[tomg]

Good idea, except I have heard of some Records Offices in the UK stopping customers using cameras - reason, they were losing revenue from the copying machines.


I find that sort of thing very irritating. I don;t know the true cost of a print but they do have to provide an Industrial strength printer. The standard home print is just not up to the job.
The cost of those printers is significant.
Then they have to pay someone to do the routine jobs of replacing tone and paper etc.
Plus the cost of the consumables.

Making a charge for printing if fine if it were free then people would abuse the service.

Personally I find the GRO cost to be the big rip-off you don;t really need a "Certified" copy of the entry just a transcript would be fine. If BMD records were at a reasonable price I would buy them far more often possibly as a matter of course. I could well have spent £200 if they where say £1 but since they are £7 I've spent about £30.

Stack it high and sell it cheap!

Tom.

[ChristineR]

I always take my camera to record details, when I visit the local archives. The only problem being, is that I have to fill in a form for every document I take a photo of.

It is the same here in the Victorian archives office - everything to be copied has to be authorised. One is not allowed to photograph items for which the office does not hold the copyright or permission to copy.

For close up work, a macro feature is useful on the camera.

Our Archives actually encourage one to bring a camera. No tripods or flashes allowed.
:)

[JenniLl]

Somerset RO - £2.00 per day or £50.00 per year. Quite good value when the cost of photocopying is considered!

Jenni :)