Digital Camera Use

[Ken Boyce]

The family has just obtained a 6Mb digital camera with zoom and macro features which can be carried in a pocket.

I'm in the process of setting up for a binge at our Local LDS of the London area church records (at least those not included in the 2 Vol sets published by Archive CD Books which I have the pleasure of owning).

My question is this….Does anyone know what the LDS policy is regarding the use of cameras. There should be no need to use flash

It seems to me to be a much better method than after locating a record to have to rewind the film transfer it to the copier , finding the record again copy, and then rewind once more. Trusting that all my records of interest are on film not fiche
I quite prepared to pay the copy fee

Thanks

[Ed McKie]

My question is this….Does anyone know what the LDS policy is regarding the use of cameras. There should be no need to use flash

Thanks[/QUOTE]

When we moved here to Bundaberg last year, I was suprised to see a notice on the wall banning the use of cameras under pain of expulsion. I queried this as I have visited FHC in various other places in Australia and never found this restriction (or perhaps, never noticed it as I had no need to use a camera).

I asked about this proscription and was advised that this was policy from Sydney. As a non church member, I didnt argue, still having no need, but thought that they were wrong.

Havent had the chance to check this elsewhere yet

Ed

[Sue Mackay]

Trusting that all my records of interest are on film not fiche

I have had great success taking digital pics of records from fiche screens (no flash).

Policies on allowing digital cameras seem to vary from one record repository to another in the UK so always check first

[Peter Goodey]

"I have had great success taking digital pics of records from fiche screens (no flash)."

You know, I'm so unimaginative, it's never occurred to me to try that!

Do you have any tips on technique?

[Sue Mackay]

"I have had great success taking digital pics of records from fiche screens (no flash)."

You know, I'm so unimaginative, it's never occurred to me to try that!

Do you have any tips on technique?

I simply held it in front of the screen with the macro function on and the flash off until the bit I wanted appeared in focus in the viewfinder. I use a canon Powershot A80 which has a rotating viewfinder screen, so it is very easy to keep the camera straight but at the same time see what will be in shot.

[Peter Goodey]

Thanks. From what you say I guess you also switch it to manual focus? Is that right or does the automatic focus cope?

I know that manual focus tends to be the norm for macro work but there is a choice.

I have a Powershot as well. Slightly earlier model than yours. No twiddly screen!

As compacts go, I think those Powershots are pretty good. The lens could be better though. But I do like the range of controls and the way you can override any or all of the automatic features.

[Sue Mackay]

Thanks. From what you say I guess you also switch it to manual focus? Is that right or does the automatic focus cope?

I must confess I have it on auto most of the time. Certainly I did when I took the fiche screen shots in Wiltshire RO because I'd only had the camera for a day when I went there!! I semi depress the button and wait for auto focus to click in. If I can read it in the viewfinder the chances are the final picture will be OK, though I usually download my pics into a laptop before leaving the record office just to make sure everything is legible.

[Guy Etchells]

The best results are obtained when photographing those whiteboard screens used on some film readers.

Fiche readers and film readers which use the back projection or back illuminated screens can produce a problem of radiated lines caused by the bulb pattern.
This is not so much a problem if only a small section of the display is required.

For those who own their own fiche readers and wish to take photos of the image best results are obtained by removing the screen and allowing the image to project onto a white wall or card and photographing the result.
Cheers
Guy

[Ken Boyce]

Thanks Guy
Nice to see you back
Have you had an oppertunity to review my posting directed to you re your reply re Adoptions

Regards

[Guy Etchells]

Hello Ken,
I have never been away but I may have missed a few posts by only quickly scanning the New Posts when I log in.

I presume you mean
-
"Hi Guy

Could you clarify the meaning and timeframe of the old terms "son in law", "daughter in law", "brother in law" and "sister in law" that were in use prior to the modern usage

Regards"

The term 'in law' was a generic term which described any relationship not connected by blood, such as a step-son or foster-son etc.
It is very difficult to give time frames to the evolution of such change of usage as there was no definite cut-off of one meaning prior to the new meaning being used.
Cheers
Guy

[Peter Goodey]

Thanks for the info, Sue. I'm quite looking forward to having a go now. And thanks, Guy, for the tip about film readers.

[ChristineR]

...My question is this….Does anyone know what the LDS policy is regarding the use of cameras. There should be no need to use flash
.... Thanks

Like Ed I'm in Australia, and the LDS centre I go to in central Victoria wouldn't allow the use of a digital camera. I didn't ask why. I thought it would be too tedious using the copier as I had a few records I want to copy, so I'll just order them from Sydney.

ChristineR

[Ed McKie]

And dont forget Ken to let us know how you get on with your local LDS.

The printer at our FHC is more out of commission than in !!!

Ed

[Rove]

Read all the thread. Thanks for the tips.

So with Xmas fast approaching, I am thinking about buying a Digital Camera.

Can some of you guys recommend a popular brand camera.

I'm in Aussie too, dont want to buy a cheapie c$200 00 Aust. Maybe around $350 00.

One that also has manual controls and I am interested in what type batteries these things use, as I read some batts are very expensive.

Dont want a bulky one. Thanks

[Ed McKie]

Rove, Dont go by price !!! My camera less than two years ago was close to $600, exactly the same model is available today for less than $300.

As for the batteries, we were conned into buying KOdak for a Kodak camera, but when we couldnt get them, used normal long life batts and they lasted just as long.

As for manual controls, why do you need them ?

Cheers..Ed

[Peter Goodey]

"One that also has manual controls and I am interested in what type batteries these things use, as I read some batts are very expensive. "

A wise specification. You might like to have a look at the Canon Powershot A range. They have a good range of manual controls - everything from fully automatic to fully manual so you could for example set the aperture manually and leave everything else to operate automatically.

They take absolutely standard AA batteries (rechargeable ones if you want). That means if you run out in the middle of nowhere you know you can buy spares almost anywhere and not need a specialist camera shop.

With the help of an adaptor you can add accessory lenses and also use standard photographic filters.

There's a recently announced model (can't remember which, sorry) with an improved zoom lens.

[Peter Goodey]

"As for manual controls, why do you need them ?"

Fully automatic controls are fine for snapshots but not really up to any slightly unusual situation. For example mountains scenes and beaches - which you expect to be bright - might come out too dark. With a backlit subject, auto is likely to expose for the background and not for the subject. Auto is also not much use for close ups. For these and many other situations, you really need some degree of manual control.

With some low end cameras you can't even turn off the flash! Useless for use in archives.

[Mythology]

"With some low end cameras you can't even turn off the flash! Useless for use in archives."

Quite. And beware of ones where you *can* turn off the flash, but it resets itself to "on" after every shot, so you have to remember to turn it off again before the next one! My first one was like this - I wouldn't dare risk taking it into a record office, I'd be bound to forget sooner or later.

[Peter Goodey]

"And beware of ones where you *can* turn off the flash, but it resets itself to "on" after every shot, so you have to remember to turn it off again before the next one! My first one was like this - I wouldn't dare risk taking it into a record office, I'd be bound to forget sooner or later."

Ouch. You've reminded me of my own embarrassment! Mine tends to revert to auto flash when it's switched off. As you say, it's not easy to remember this all the time. There just doesn't seem to be a way with my camera to make the default setting 'flash off'.

[LynA]

As many Record Offices do not allow tripod use (why?) my specification is for a camera with image stabilisation. My husband's camera (Olympus) has this. Mine (another Olympus) does not! Guess which one I take to Record Offices.:)

If you've got a steady hand, fair enough, but under low light conditions the camera usually reverts to a very low speed which shows up any shake I give to the camera.

Regards,
Lynda

[Rove]

Thanks Peter, Lynda and other guys.

One learns ' a bit ' every time, which is good to know.

I have been reading every report by a so called expert in Webshots where he rates every camera. The first thing I noticed is that cameras with no manual controls were given a low (at times ) very low rating. Believe me you can read a couple of thousand of these reports and you still end up no wiser.

So yesterday I came across a report on the Kodak Z 730. This, to my understanding came up as very close to 10 out of 10. It does use a Kodak 5 volt batt which I think sells for about $47 Aust. Anyway I liked what I read, then found out that K-Mart had them on Special, from $500 down to $399.

I took off, all ready to buy one BUT to me disappointment the Sale ended 2 days ago and they are back at $500. That is a bit too much, So I must look around and wait.

I shall consider the Canon that matches well with the Kodak Z 730.

[Guy Etchells]

The main requirement in terms of high definition for digital cameras is sensor size.
Many cameras although claiming a high mega-pixel number have a small sensor.
Cheers
Guy

[Peter Goodey]

"If you've got a steady hand, fair enough, but under low light conditions the camera usually reverts to a very low speed which shows up any shake I give to the camera."

I haven't got image stabilisation but I do have a range of manual or semi-manual controls. I haven't found image shake a problem in archive conditions because I can manually set the camera to a high ASA figure. In any case, I can often find something to lean on (just elbows is a help) to help to minimise shake.

[Peter Goodey]

I'll just add one point. If this is self-evident, apologies in advance for wasting bandwidth.

When assessing zoom capability, it is only the optical zoom that you need to consider. 'Digital zoom' does nothing that a simple image editor won't handle after you've taken the shot. I and probably a lot of other people have digital zoom permanently turned off in the camera.

[Rove]

I do have a good digital camera with a rechargeable battery.

I may be travelling this year and thinking of buying a spare digital camera that uses 2 or 3 AA throwaway batteries.

I intend to buy the best qaulity AA batteries. Can someone tell me if they get good use / good life out these AA batteries. I mean to say can you take 50 shots and would they last 3 months.

Thanks.

[v.wells]

I have a digital camera and bought a charger adapter to charge it from the cigarett lighter in the car. I also use disposable cameras as a way to guarantee a shot in case memory gets erased or photos deleted. I have never used AA batteries in a camera so can't help you there Rove, sorry. (But then we do things differently here in Canada)

[ChristineR]

I do have a good digital camera with a rechargeable battery.

I may be travelling this year and thinking of buying a spare digital camera that uses 2 or 3 AA throwaway batteries.

I intend to buy the best qaulity AA batteries. Can someone tell me if they get good use / good life out these AA batteries. I mean to say can you take 50 shots and would they last 3 months.

Thanks.

You have to get the batteries that are designated on the label for digital camera use - usually the most expensive ones and ours often use the word MAX in the name. They will last according to usuage, and how much the flash is used. Ordinary, though expensive, heavy duty AAs will only take about three or four photos in my experience - if that. Non heavy duty ones will not even open up my camera. My camera uses 2 rechargeable AAs that I purchased along with the camera, I carry two charged backups at all times. I tried the other batteries as I had pinched my rechargables for another use. :)

[ChristineR]

and just a note, Ken started this thread in 2005. Hope you had success with your camera. :)

[Peter Goodey]

My Canon PowerShot takes two standard AA batteries and they last weeks rather than months. Using flash reduces life still further.

The advantage of throw away batteries of a standard size is that you can find somewhere that sells them even in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere.

[Peter Goodey]

I've thought to look at the spec for my camera. The nominal capacity is -

2 x Alkaline AA: 120 images

2 x NiMH AA: 400 images.

[Sue Mackay]

I use my Canon Powershot to photograph newspaper BMD extracts at Kew and then transcribe at home. I use the MI resolution setting (second highest, at 1600x1200), which allows me to take 750 superfine shots on a 1Gb memory card. I use 4 ordinary AA batteries in the camera at a time and normally have to change them once on a day trip to Kew, so a set of batteries will take about 350 shots. Of course that is taking them all at once with the camera only being turned on and off a few times during the day, and hardly ever using the View or Delete functions, which use more battery. I used to have two sets of rechargeable batteries, but found the extra hassle of having to take the charger to Kew and change them over more frequently was not worth it. If I charged them up the night before my trip, they didn't seem to hold their full charge. I am fortunate in that I get free rail travel, so the cost of two sets of batteries is a small price to pay for 700 photos.

[Rove]

Thanks for your comments.

I know a good bit about batteries as I've done part of my apprenticship on RN submarines batteries and carried on dealing with batteries all my life.

Rechargeable AA batteries or any other type of rechargeable battery never attains the max full charge reading as when it was new. If you place it on your charger for many hours, as you remove it and place a voltmeter on it it may show you a very high reading but that is only a surface reading. That is why a rechargeable type battery soon loses its guts after a little use.

I do not intend to buy recharge type batteries. I'll go for the Duracell brand. Without any doubt they are the best and very rare to see one of them leak.

Now about these digital cameras that use throwaway batteries some use 2 cells, some 3 and as Sue said hers uses 4. So I've got to do some research as what is best to buy.

Thanks.

[Brian Roberts]

Has anyone ever tried the ones that recharge via the USB port of any PC?

I was using soo many AA batteries in my mouse at work (even the Duracells did not last long) that I eventually bought myself 2 sets of these USB-rechargeables and they work like a charm.

I have not had to buy any batteries for close to 2 years now.

-Brian

[Rove]

Brian

I think my son uses that too.

He told me he never changes batteries in his mouse.

[arthurk]

I normally use 2 x AA rechargeable batteries in my camera, though they never seem to last anywhere near as long as claimed. As an alternative, the manual for mine recommends a CRV3 lithium battery. This is a bit like two AAs stuck together - and according to the packaging it lasts a lot longer than standard AAs. So I carry one of these around for my spare. However, bear in mind that they might not fit in all cameras that use 2 x AAs. (I also discovered recently that you can get rechargeable CRV3s, but as they need a special charger, and my camera might not last all that much longer, I haven't tried them.)

Arthur

[spison]

This has been such an informative thread. Like Peter I had never thought about my digital camera until I ended up in an archive and the archivist asked if I had one to photograph the document. The penny dropped!
Batteries: My work (a school) used lithium rechargeable and they were really good and lasted a full day with lots of use. I was so disgusted with batteries for my old digital that my next camera had a built in rechargeable and it is terriffic.
Jane