Digital Cameras

[Richard Saunders]

Dear Dr Snow, & interested Taxacomers,

I recently purchased a Microlumina digital camera, which can be attached to
a microscope, copy stand, etc. (c. US$ 7000). It has proved invaluable for
photographing herbarium sheets. Details are available through the following
website: http://www.emsdiasum.com/ems/microlumina/microlum.html. I think
this is a similar camera to the one used for the Catalogue of the Type
Specimens of the Dutch herbaria
(http://www.eti.uva.nl/typecollectie/typecollectie.htm). This would not be
suitable for field use, however.

We have also recently bought a Nikon Coolpix 950 for field use, however,
and have found it to be excellent, with superb macro facility. Although it
is expensive on batteries, it will save money in the long run by avoiding
the costs of film, developing, etc.; it is also wonderful to be able to
view the pictures that you have just taken, and to know that you've taken a
good photo without having to wait for the film to be developed!

Richard Saunders



Dr Richard M.K. Saunders
Associate Professor
Department of Ecology & Biodiversity
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong

E-mail:  saunders at hkucc.hku.hk
Fax:     (852) 2517 6082
Tel.:    (852) 2299 0608
URL:     http://web.hku.hk/~saunders/rmks.html