Camera features

I want to take pictures at cemeteries and wondering what kind of
resolution I should look for in a digicam, as well as any other
features that would be good for genealogical purposes. I realize
that more pixels gives better pictures, but it makes for larger
pictures, more space taken up etc.

Dennis Lee Bieber...

Storage is cheap... GB CF cards are available for under
$100, and can hold something like 500 4MP JPEG images (and around
200 8MP -- but only around 72 8MP RAW on my 20d).

6MP on a P&S, 8-10MP on an APS-C SLR (P&S have smaller,
physically, sensors, and packing more pixels into a smaller space
makes for more noise at equivalent "ISO").

I'm rather picky when it comes to cameras -- I want full
manual control as an option, hot-shoes for accessory flash (the
built-in flash is not the best choice in many cases -- too close to
the lens means little to no shadows [shadows bring out details of
carvings]; too weak -- typically a 10-15 foot range at high
sensitivities => higher noise in the image; can't be bounced).
Custom white balance capability (pick up a set of Kodak grey cards
to go with it -- using manual settings you can use the grey card to
1) set the "base" exposure [the polar bear in snowstorm effect:
cameras assume they are seeing an 18% grey field, and will conclude
that white-on-white is highly lit, so will reduce exposure to make
it grey; use the grey card to set manual exposure for grey, and the
white-on-white will stay white. I say "base" as, if the histogram
display shows too much clipping of highlights you will have to
reduce the exposure some to shift things darker], 2) set a neutral
white balance [as with exposure, cameras assume they are looking at
18% grey /color tone/, and will "correct" images that are primarily
one color to make that color look greyish)

Ignore any specs for "digital zoom", only "optical zoom" is
useful (digital zoom is the same as taking a non-zoomed picture,
cropping out all but the middle, and then magnifying the pixels to
print as if it were the size of the full image). Viewfinder for
normal use... These P&S models where you have to hold your arms out
to compose on an LCD are harder to hold steady.

Unlike some, I do not find wide-angle/close-focus (this
applies to P&S models, not changeable lens SLRs) that useful for
documentation purposes. Backing up and using full telephoto results
in a "flatter" (less distorted) image with more depth-of-field than
creeping up to 7 inches and going wide-angle. (Note: if the
viewfinder is off-axis, as with P&S models, you may need to compose
[on tripod] using the LCD)

A decent tripod for the size of the camera (technically,
even my $100 tripods are on the light-weight end for my SLRs).
Remote release capability -- infrared remote is nice (pity my 20d
needed a costly wired remote). This can allow you to set the camera
up, and then move away to hold lighting assists (see next)

Fold up reflector(s) (I should buy one larger model than my
current collection [I think my large is a 32" 5-in-1] -- since one
needs go large to get avoid "hot-spots" on objects (a 20-30" is
about right for just head portraits ). These come in different
patterns. For stones, a silver/white or silver/black may be all you
need (black, which I don't own, can be used to /block/ light; silver
reflects with minimal color tinting -- other finishes are gold,
"soft" versions of silver or gold, shiny white... A 5-in-1 model has
a core of white diffuser [lets the light come through it] with a
reversible cover that give silver/white/gold/soft gold surfaces).
Not easy to use with a bounce flash as you can't see the effect
(aim) except by taking pictures and checking on the LCD screen.

CSquared...

I'm not really sure what you meant by "digicam". If you just meant
digital still camera, then feel free to ignore the rest of this.
My real point is that digital _movie_ cameras don't usually take
particularly good still pictures. I have not photographed any
tombstones yet, but I do plan to start (I'm a real newbie at this
genealogy business). In the spirit of "using what you have", I
plan to just use my Canon G3. It is a fairly old camera as digital
cameras go now days with about 4 megapixels but a pretty fair lens
and optical zoom. I've been very happy with it though for general
photography, and I expect it to do fine on tombstones. I have
printed some 8x10 inch photos with it and been quite pleased with
the results.

Hugh Watkins...

study how to cross light the stones
by reflection or fill in flash FROM THE SIDE (s)

no chalk, shaving soap (web-search it please - an eternal discussion)
your problem will be lighting not pixels

Hugh W

Zev Griner