> From: "Chris Watts" <ml@ctwatts.plus.com> > Reply-To: SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com > Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2006 17:45:49 +0100 > Pity. There are many, including myself, who would have liked to have > benefited from your experet advice. > > Chris > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Peter Amsden" <amsden@btinternet.com> > <snip> > | I am dealing with this off list, so the info goes no further. > | > | Regards > | > | > | Peter > | OK Chris, for your benefit and others, below is roughly my reply. The problem is that whenever cameras are mentioned the list is flooded with opinions and advice. Adding my two-pennyworth only adds to the noise, and I don't always have the time to enter into long discussions. ------ Reply A camera with around 4Mpixels should be ideal for most things. Look at makes such as Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Canon. i.e. the better end of the market. The new The Pentax Optio A10 is certainly well worth considering. You are quite correct about zoom. Optical is a must (at least 3X), although most cameras also come with digital zoom - (quite pointless - you can do this on your computer). Now, there are so many cameras on the market that might fit your needs, that the only sensible way to make a choice is to go into one of the better camera shops and tell them what you want very specifically. Take along a document of some kind and photograph it. If they won't let you try it out, then walk out and find someone who will. And, young lads in camera shops (bless them) often have no idea what they are talking about, so you need to guide them. you are paying good money so make quite sure that you get what you want. There are plenty of shops, so don't be pushed by over zealous sales people. Takes some shots and ask to see them on a computer screen. if they can't offer this then they shouldn't be selling the things. Software to enable connection to a computer should come with the camera, and make sure that there are comprehensive instructions. These days these will frequently be on a CD which means you will have to print it if it is to be much use. Even the big boys do this. I have a professional camera for which I needed to print a 300 page instruction manual! Don't walk out with a camera unless you are quite certain it is the one for you. There will be dozens that would fit the bill, but some have fiddly controls, awkward viewfinders, and don't feel very substantial. The tripod question is a real one. Even the fanciest of cameras will need one in badly lit areas, and document rooms are frequently just that. However, you will find that many record offices will not permit tripods, so a camera lens with a decently small f-stop will be useful. Remember that the documents that you record are unlikely to be used as works of art. If you can get them onto a computer and read them, that is usually all that is required. Batteries. Make sure that if the camera uses some special battery that is comes with a charger. Don't buy a camera that does not use rechargeable batteries. The other kind can be very expensive in the long run. I have rambled on a bit here, but I have so often seen people with cameras that are either totally inadequate or overkill for their needs. You should not need to spend more than around £150 to find exactly what you need. Peter C. Amsden ARPS ABIPP Argyll, Scotland