eInk Picture Taking

[PeterT]

Any advice on taking pictures of an eInk device one is hoping to sell?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Any advice on taking pictures of an eInk device one is hoping to sell?

Don't use a cell phone camera.

If at all possible, use a camera where you can manually focus. If not, use the best camera you have access to with th eInk device in bright sunlight.

The problem i that eInk can be hard for auto-focus to focus properly sometimes.

[Ripplinger]

Besides the obvious for normal good picture taking, like good lighting, background that doesn't blend into the reader, I'd make it a point to get closeups of any scratches or flaws either on the screen or the bezel, front and back.

I've scanned my readers at times on a flatbed scanner (mostly so I didn't have to fool with after processing to get the accidental and inevitable "tilt" from the screen, it was a case of being lazy), and wow... every little speck of dust shows. I've never had a scratch on a reader but I would imagine it would also show up very well. If you have one hooked up to your system, you might give it a try.

[PeterT]

I do have a Brother All-in-One printer / scanner / copier so will give that a try tomorrow and see how it looks.

[JSWolf]

Are you selling your Glo? Are you getting a replacement eInk Kobo if it is your Glo being sold?

[PeterT]

I have a Glo with a damaged USB port; it will charge but not connect to a PC. I have replaced it by a new Glo bought via Kijiji

[cromag]

I've photographed an MP3 player. I used a tabletop tripod (there are lots of models, and they're all pretty inexpensive), propped the player in front of some gray construction paper, and used the camera's closest focusing setting. I used the timer function so that my hand was off the camera when the photo was taken.

Have fun!

[HarryT]

Use a decent DSLR and make sure that you set the white balance correctly.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Don't use a cell phone camera.
.

I've had zero issues using my cell phone camera to take pictures of things for sale. From cars on down to my old Kindle. Granted I dont use an old flip phone but the multi megapixel camera phones from the last 5+ years have been more than adequate.

If the item is smaller I usually just take a picture against a plain background and upload to CL or ??.

IMHO the basics are fine as long as the ad includes what it is (with a few pictures 2 or 3 is fine), what is wrong with it (if anything), how much is it and how can I contact you. Beyond that its fluff.

My .02

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

I've had zero issues using my cell phone camera to take pictures of things for sale. From cars on down to my old Kindle. Granted I dont use an old flip phone but the multi megapixel camera phones from the last 5+ years have been more than adequate.

If the item is smaller I usually just take a picture against a plain background and upload to CL or ??.

IMHO the basics are fine as long as the ad includes what it is (with a few pictures 2 or 3 is fine), what is wrong with it (if anything), how much is it and how can I contact you. Beyond that its fluff.

My .02

The reason I say not to use a cell phone camera is I've seen too many fuzzy photos of Readers posted on MR taken with a cell phone camera. So until I see Reader photos taken with a cell phone that a not at all fuzzy, I will stand by my recommendation not to use a cell phone camera.

[theducks]

fuzzy can come from jiggling (multiple images) or too close (out of focus)

My Tablet or phone has taken some amazing low light pictures (no flash).

Unfortunately there is no tripod socket. But you can still Brace them on some tripods that have a small table (not just a screw post that the really compact ones have) or against something solid and steady

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The reason I say not to use a cell phone camera is I've seen too many fuzzy photos of Readers posted on MR taken with a cell phone camera. So until I see Reader photos taken with a cell phone that a not at all fuzzy, I will stand by my recommendation not to use a cell phone camera.

95% of a good picture comes from the skill and experience of the photographer, rather than the equipment used.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by HarryT

95% of a good picture comes from the skill and experience of the photographer, rather than the equipment used.

I think the image stabilization hardware available in modern cameras makes handheld shots by amateurs less blurry. It's probably the last benefit of a point and shoot camera over a smart phone.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by HarryT

95% of a good picture comes from the skill and experience of the photographer, rather than the equipment used.

This is more to reality than what camera to use. Some of the pictures Ive seen on CraigsList look like someone was having a seizure while trying to take a picture.

It amazes me more that they didn't see it themselves when they uploaded it and still decided "hey i'm only asking $10k for the car...this is good enough"

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

This is more to reality than what camera to use. Some of the pictures Ive seen on CraigsList look like someone was having a seizure while trying to take a picture.

It amazes me more that they didn't see it themselves when they uploaded it and still decided "hey i'm only asking $10k for the car...this is good enough"

Some times it is just being in the right place at the right time (with a camera)

Shot NAS NORVA 1970
Mamiya Secor 35mm 300mm lens on a 2xdoubler and a ND filter