Your welcome, James... but I forgot something and also thought I should add a bit... I forgot to mention that whether you use a tripod or a camera stand, you need a remote release device for the shutter button. That keeps you from shaking or moving the camera slightly when you trigger the shutter. Also, I have to confess that I am not familiar with cameras more recently made than my Minolta that I bought shortly after I returned from Vietnam... about 1972. Specifically, I am not familiar with cameras that autofocus, which I suppose also select shutter speed and aperture. I don't know to what extent you can manually control those newer cameras. But the least possibility of problems with focus or movement are at the fastest shutter speed and the smallest aperture. The more light you put on the subject being photographed, the smaller the aperture and the faster shutter speed that an automatic camera would select. I'm going to have to look into a copy stand myself. I too have elderly relatives that won't let go of photos even for a few minutes. <G> RW James Crews wrote: > > Thank you, Richard for such an informative posting. I am going to save it > and ask for that camera for my birthday. My friend's photo that was ruined > by an unskilled person and was one of those in an oval frame and was over > 100 years old. I was trying to help prevent someone else making this error > in attempting copies when I suggested taking these to an experienced person. > This may still be the best route if we don't have good equipment of our own. > Thanks again for your posting the information. > Marianne Crews