Seen & Heard on the Forums: Equipment - Cameras & Copies of IDs

There is a thread at NotaryRotary.com in part regarding cameras. It starts at Message #17800 - Here is my contribution to it:

I use a Sony Cybershot 5.0 megapixel model DSC-F717 with a close up lens that I also ordered from Sony. Granted, my camera is a pretty pricey set up, but worth it because it makes beautiful pictures of grandbabies, and other excellent subjects such as for draw inspections.

I have always enjoyed copying pictures with my 35 MM cameras and learned a long time ago that a close up lens is nothing more than a magnifying glass that screws onto the lens.

Recently, a notary asked me about using her digital camera to take pictures of TDLs. I told her until she could purchase a better camera to try using a magnifying glass for that purpose.

This morning, I was curious about my theory of using a magnifying glass with digital cameras so I unscrewed my close up lens and held a cheap Pier One turtle-shaped magnifying glass in front of it.

It works.

Also, I have tested the theory of using a phone camera with a DL. I have a Sprint Samsung which came free with my account last spring. With enough light, it works both with and without the magnifying glass.

Let me also add that with my DSC-f717 I can also copy complete 8.5x11 pages with perfection.

THE DRAWBACK to using a digital camera to capture ID or make copies of pages is that you cannot reproduce it immediately to drop the package and have to go back to the office to print it out unless you carry a printer in your car that works on media sticks without the computer...or a laptop with enough of a power source to do the job.

In cases where I could drop the package without it, I have called the SS, TC, Lender contact as appropriate and asked: "Do you want the package dropped without the ID copy and I'll fax/email it to you, or do you want me to delay until tomorrow morning to drop WITH the ID copy. " Usually, the answer is to wait until the following day and send the ID picture with it.