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Digital Cameras are changing Construction Estimating. There is no more cost effective way to get paper blueprints into your computer.

Two things you want in a digital camera to shoot blueprints.

1. Get the highest rez you can. Right now 8 megapixel cameras take great looking blueprint images for well under $600
2. Get the best optical zoom you can afford.

Great Site To Compare Cameras Be sure to include the above items in your search. Happy hunting

Have you been looking for an excuse to get one of these great new Digital Cameras people are talking about? Digital cameras not only take great pictures of blueprints but can be used for vacation pictures, pictures of the kids etc. They are getting better every day and will soon replace film altogether.

Here’s a few tricks for taking better pictures of blueprints with your digital camera.
 

Taking pictures of blueprints. DOs and DON’Ts

DON’T take pictures of blueprints laying on the floor.
There’s just no way you can hold the camera perpendicular to the blueprint, center the area of interest and make sure the image is square and level in the viewfinder while you’re leaning over a blueprint. (Cameras like the Nikon 990 have the ability to be pointing down while you view the image on the cameras picture display).

DO follow these tips:

Put up at least a 3’x4’ cork board with the center at the same level as the camera lens when you are standing comfortably holding the camera at eye level. When you place a blueprint on the cork board PLACE IT SO THE AREA YOU WANT TO SHOOT IS CENTERED ON THE CORK BOARD.

Mark the floor if possible with a piece of tape so you’ll be perfectly centered on the cork board when you point the camera at it.

When you use the above tips together you will automatically be holding the camera perpendicular to the blueprint hanging on the cork board. This means that you can stand comfortably and concentrate on this next tip:

Be sure you are not rotating the camera. Line up horizontal or vertical lines with the edge of your view finder before pointing at the area of interest. This takes a little getting used to depending on the camera, but can be mastered

If your camera has an optical zoom, use it at its highest setting and frame the area of interest by moving closer or farther from the blueprint. Never use a camera’s digital zoom, it wastes valuable information. Also, some zooms can distort the image by “Pin Cushioning” (this is when the flat sides of a box bow inward) or by “Barrel Distortion” (when the flats sides of a box bow outward). If your camera has distortion, find out where the “Sweet spot” on your zoom is.

Only shoot the area of interest. Frame what you need to estimate as tight as possible. This makes maximum use of the cameras resolution.

Use the camera’s flash for consistent results

The new blueprint easel we are displaying on our home page changes all the rules. It’s blazingly fast, you can flip to the next page and snap the shutter and repeat until all pictures are taken. When they come into cadest they are scaled and ready to go