Normal Lens Reccomendations?

[Steve_Goldenberg]

Randall,

What is your setup for photographing the pages? Do you have it securely locked on a tripod or stand?

[KenRexach]

Can you post a link to a sample image? maybe that way we can help you better.

[Gabriel_Aguirre]

You know, last week I met somebody who showed me copies (printed with a laser printer) he's made of very old (I'm talking about 13th-16th century) maps of Paris; the printout detail was so superb I asked what kind of lens he had used for this.

Answer: an IXUS 400 (PowerShot S400 in the U.S.) hand-held. With the lighting conditions he was dealing with (remember, these are old documents you cannot photocopy, touch or put under strong light), his choice made excellent sense: a small, light camera with depth-of-field galore. Of course, I did not believe him, and he proceeded to demonstrate by photographing his copy under a lamp (I think the light bulb was 40W), uploaded the pic, and printed it. Magic! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Of course, handling the 50 f/1.8 is a much cheaper choice, but when using an SLR camera, you should also consider using a reproducing table to that you eliminate all factors that contribute to camera-shake (mirror lock-up, remote release, mounting), not to mention I'd rather spend the shutter life of the 10D for things other than reproductions. Just a thought...

[Randall_Goldone]

Thanks for all your responses.
I am using a sturdy copy stand and a timed shutter release so movement should not be a factor.
I have posted an example here: http://plaza.ufl.edu/renner/E_00079.jpg Is this just the limitation of the camera or is this something that can be fixed?

Previously I was using a 4 megapixel point and shoot camera with better results.

[ChuckWestfall]

This image is slightly out of focus on the left page of the document. It comes into focus on the edge of the right page, which is closer to the camera. In other words, the left page is front-focused. If this is what you're getting with the camera set to One-Shot AF, the camera needs to be adjusted at a Canon Factory Service Center.

Additionally, it looks like you haven't done any sharpening with your image editing software. Be sure to try this if you want the crispest possible image, but get the focusing problem fixed first.

Another suggestion: If you plan to do a lot of this work, consider using the optional accessory Angle Finder C. This device slips on to your camera's viewfinder eyepiece and has a built-in magnifier that lets you check critical focus on the camera's focusing screen.

Last but not least, I agree with the other poster who suggested the use of a 50mm Macro lens for this type of copy work.

[Jonathan_Wienke]

I concur with Chuck 100% in regard to sharpening. P&S cameras do a lot more in-camera sharpening than DSLRs. If you sharpen yourself, you end up with a better result, but it takes a little more work on your part.

[Toshi_Clark]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for all your responses.
I am using a sturdy copy stand and a timed shutter release so movement should not be a factor.
I have posted an example here: http://plaza.ufl.edu/renner/E_00079.jpg Is this just the limitation of the camera or is this something that can be fixed?

Previously I was using a 4 megapixel point and shoot camera with better results.

[/ QUOTE ]
That image was shot at f/4.5. Since shutter speed is not an issue I would stop down to f/11 or so.