Dear David,
I presume your results could be improved by using a (table) tripod and a
separate flash, if supported by the camera. The built-in flash hardly gives
acceptable results at the distance required for photographing micro shells.
Fabio, Thomas, George and Chandrashekhar Phadke give very useful comments
and tips about using scanners. My HP 700 flatbed scanner , in daily use for
digitalizing 35 mm and larger slides and negatives as well as prints, works
very well for scanning shells, both large and small - by dozens at one time.
For thinner shells, depth of field is not a problem; for larger ones, best
results ar obtained from the flat side. And resolution is fantastic: imagine
photograhing larger subjects at 1:1 enlargement ratio on a A4 flat film to
be scanned at 300 dpi, or smaller ones at 1:10 ratio on 35 mm to be scanned
at the highest resolution. Caution: the screen must be carefully cleaned
after use, as sand can scratch the glass. Of course, a photographic quality
scanner may not be worth the cost for occasional use.
I used that scanner for other "still life" subjects; the results, printed
30x40 cm (12x16 inches), were much appreciated in photo competitions, also
winning a prize (the jury were not aware of the technique used).
Carlo



----- Original Message -----
From: "David Kirsh" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 5:30 AM
Subject: Re: scanners


> Interesting discussion and I appreciate the input I've gotten on scanners.
>
> Jim, I've got a Canon SD 1200 with 10 megapixels. As a handheld camera for
> micros, it hasn't had results to rival my former scanning. But that might
> be for lack of a tripod or possibly a higher resolution setting. I'd
> appreciate if someone can advise me on it. I suspect I'll need to contact
> Canon's support, which I haven't gotten around to yet.
>
> A few years ago, owner's manuals started to be written on an
> ultra-simplistic level and today the owners of devices with lots of
> features must piece together instructions by contacting the manufacturer.
> Not coincidentally, I contacted Lexmark about the lack of resolution
> (which turned out to be lack of depth of field) and eventually shared via
> online chat with the tech support person that I was creating images of
> micro shells. She said that she was inspired to look for shells the next
> time she went to the beach. "Oh, are you close to the beach?" "Maybe a
> half-hour or an hour from the beach." "What state are you in? (I thought:
> maybe she's in Florida or California). "Actually, I'm in the Philippines."
> I almost fell off my chair. What happened out of this is that I got an
> invitation to be shown around the island of Cebu, when I visit.
>
> David Kirsh
> Durham, NC
>
>
>
> "When you're chewing on life's gristle, DON'T grumble. Give a
> whistle!" --from Life of Brian
>
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