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Ancestry Daily News
2/19/2003 - Archive
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RootsWorks: Digital Camera Uses |
RootsWorks: Digital Camera Uses
In my last article, I described some of the numbers used in digital cameras.
Today I want to continue, and cover the memory types and some genealogical considerations.
Storage Types
One confusing thing about digital cameras is the memory type. This is what makes
them digital cameras -- the digital memory storage. It's important to get this
right -- you can't interchange the different kinds of memory. They are not the
same sizes and shapes.
There are memory sticks, floppy discs, CD-Rs, Type I, Type II, Compact Flash,
and Secure Digital. There is a good explanation of the differences between each
at RadioShack.
One of my favorite ideas: If you have a CF Type II slot, you can insert an IBM
Microdrive and hold up to 1 Gigabyte of image data! You won't believe the size
of this Microdrive until you've seen the pictures at Steve's Digicams. The prices for each type of media are roughly competitive, so buy the largest
memory modules you can and enjoy them.
To find out how many pictures you can put into each memory module, take a look
at the "Media storage tables."
If you want to know which cameras use which memory, and vice versa, please
see "Cameras by media storage type."
Connections and Considerations
There is more than one way to connect a camera to a computer. Some have USB
ports, almost all of them have FireWire ports. If you are not fortunate enough
to own a Macintosh computer, you might not have a FireWire connection on your
computer. The cards cost about $45 for PC laptops and about $36 for a PC desktop
computer. A six-foot cable runs about $13. On the other hand, many Macs do not
have USB ports - and the cards and cables for this cost about the same as their
Firewire counterports.
Many users have been disappointed to find that they studied a lot of numbers
and overlooked a critical one: the number of batteries and chargers that they
need. Give some thought to using rechargeable batteries, and to having more
than one charger so that you can keep one at home and one some place else.
I'm a PhotoShop fan, but many camera owners like Kodak's PicEasy software. You
can use it with any kind of digital camera, even one that is not made by Kodak.
Having software that lets you do what you want easily is at least as important
as the camera's resolution.
Speaking of Kodak, they are one of the leading makers of digital cameras. Sony,
Olympus, HP, and Kodak held two-thirds of the market in 2001.
Whatever camera you eventually use, you will be faced with the challenge of
copying photographs. Ken Watson's page on Digital Cameras and Genealogy has
some terrific examples and tips.
Many genealogists want to get close-up photos of documents, photos, or other
heirlooms. This requires a "macro" capability. Some cameras have a
setting, some require that you buy a separate "Macro" lens. There
is good information about "the macro setting or lens" here
Let's review the issues: There are many factors in considering a digital camera.
In an effort to simplify, I suggest that for a genealogist, the important factors
are:
--- Software. What will you do with the pictures after you get them on your
computer? Get the simplest software that does the functions you want. Not everyone
needs Photoshop. Many users are happy with introductory level software.
--- Deleting. Sometimes you want to delete pictures from your camera to have
room for more, especially if some of the images aren't very good. Some cameras
will let you delete particular pictures from your camera, some make you delete
them all at once. Be sure you know which one you're getting.
--- Connecting. What kind of cable and port do you need to connect it to your
PC? You don't want to make three trips back to the store to get the right adapter
cards and cables for you computer. What kind of connections does your computer
have already?
--- Price. You want to have enough money left over to drive to the courthouse,
cemetery, or reunion after you pay for it. You can find cameras between $125
and $500 - but it's not likely that you'll be interested in spending more.
--- Format. Sure, a lot of these cameras make JPG images. But can you get a
TIFF file if you want one? Use your own judgment about what you want your camera
to do for you, but be sure that you get what you want.*
--- Memory. How many pictures can you take at a time? As the memory chart showed,
there are three factors: your camera's resolution, the image format (JPEG or
TIFF), and the size of your memory module.
--- Resolution. How many megapixels do I need, and what in the world is a megapixel
anyway? I'm guessing that almost every reader will be happy with either a 2-
or a 3- megapixel camera.
* If you're curious about the difference in JPEG and TIFF files, see the RootsWorks
archives
for "Graphics File Formats."
If you have any other questions or would like to add to this dicussion, check
out the RootsWorks Forum for digital cameras.
The RootsWorks series of articles focuses on genealogical applications for
generic technologies. Beau would like to hear from you. Whether you have something
to add or something to ask, please point your browser to www.rootsworks.com/forums
to discuss this or any topic related to the use of technology in family history.
Please note that he cannot assist you with your individual computer problems.
Visit the RootsWorks website for links to previous articles and Beau's lecture
schedule.
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