P&S Camera for documents

[snabjab]

I'm a grad student using an outdated Powershot S30 with defective autofocus to photograph documents in a historical archive. The S30's manual focus has allowed me - with some added frustration - to get quality results but I'm now photographing documents much more intensively and am looking to upgrade to the 720IS. My basic question is if there is some way that the S30 would actually have an advantage over the 720IS. I've been without auto focus for so long that I don't actually remember how effective it is with p&s cameras like these. I'm shooting right next to a window, ie in a well-lit area; with my S30 at ISO 100 and F5.0, my shutter speeds are in the range of 1/120 to 1/300 depending on the document and weather. A nice advantage of manual focus has been that I don't have to wait the split-second for the AF to lock in, and that I get predictable results (assuming a fixed document size). Still, I don't see how the advantages of the 720 IS don't outweigh whatever meager benefits the S30 affords me. More resolution, IS, and, in my case, working autofocus. But is there something I'm missing?

Many thanks in advance for the input!

[Jon]

If you can afford it, you might consider an A630, A640 or A650 instead. They have a fold-out LCD display which will make it much easier for you to see what you're getting without standing on a chair over the table if you're not using Remote Capture (the A640 is the only one of the current A-series to support Remote Capture, I believe). I don't see any advantage to staying with the S30; unless you have a stand, relying on MF introduces an element of uncertainty in your focus. You will have to change recording media with any of these. Of course, if you're using Remote Capture that will change things.

If you have access to it, there's an article in Over the Front (http://www.overthefront.com/issues/22_3.html), Vol 22#3 (fall 2007), the journal of the League of WWI Aviation Historians, by James Streckfuss on doing much the same thing at the British Public Records Office.

[BBoi]

In tha passed when I have done similar things (maps), I have mounted the camera on a tripod, balanced it off a table horizontally with a heavy bagg at the back to steady it - not used flash, but a 10 sec timer, manual focus (using the flip screen of course), ISO80, and a long exposure in even light with vivid colour switched on. Then, pop it onto the PC, load up photoshop, first use the Exposure function to lighten it if needed, and play with smart sharpen. Save the image out in an uncompressed format for best reproduction.

If you really want to ush the boat out, take 3 exposures, 2 stops down, 0 stops and 2 stops up, then merge (HDR) them for a dynamic colour range. The HDR function in photoshop is hidden away in the file automate menu.

HTH.

[audiobomber]

I've been without auto focus for so long that I don't actually remember how effective it is with p&s cameras like these. I'm shooting right next to a window, ie in a well-lit area; with my S30 at ISO 100 and F5.0, my shutter speeds are in the range of 1/120 to 1/300 depending on the document and weather. A nice advantage of manual focus has been that I don't have to wait the split-second for the AF to lock in, and that I get predictable results (assuming a fixed document size). Still, I don't see how the advantages of the 720 IS don't outweigh whatever meager benefits the S30 affords me. More resolution, IS, and, in my case, working autofocus. But is there something I'm missing?

Many thanks in advance for the input!

The A720 should do just fine. No tripod needed but it's a nice thing to have anyway. BTW, the 720 does have Manual Focus if that's what you prefer. It's a bit clumsy to set up but you'd only do it once and you could shoot away for hours.

[snabjab]

Many thanks to everyone for their comments. A 720 is on the way, seeing as my dad accidentally ordered two from Amazon and it was too convenient to pass up. I'm sure it'll make a huge difference in my ability to get what I need. Manual focus seems to work well enough but I'm never quite sure if I have it on the perfect settings, even if the results are generally satisfying. Thanks again all!

[snabjab]

The 720 has arrived now I'm wondering what quality settings I should be using if I plan to be printing out some of the documents I'm capturing. I know that even a 3MP camera can capture a document satisfactorily so I assume that 5MP will be more than enough. What about the Superfine/Fine settings? The documents I'll want to print are for the most part typed pages, so nothing too intricate.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Jon]

Typed, or printed? Typing may vary in contrast as the ribbons wear; I'd say go with Superfine for that. Actually, I don't see any reason to use anything but Large Superfine. Memory cards are cheap enough.