Black headstones

[Old Bob]

Hi People
This is my first post, so here goes. I have been trying to photograph some headstone at our local cemetery, as a record for family history research. Most of the shots are fine, but I have a lot of trouble with the black shiny ones with faded inscriptions. I have tried different times of the day, flash and no flash, but any sort of light seems to cause a lot of glare and make the inscription hard to read. Does anyone have any suggestions, or things I could try. I have been using my sons D70 with the kit lense.
Bob

[Pa]

g/day bob and welcome. maybe before sunrise or after sunset you might
stop the glare.

cheers pa

[Steffen]

A polarising filter will also greatly reduce the glare. They're not cheap but worth the investment, IMHO.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Old Bob]

Thanks Guys, I never thought of a polarising filter. I may have to buy one to fit that lense. I have one for a 50mm 1.4, for my old FE nikon, the camera died years ago. I'm saving my pennies for maybe a D200 and I think this lense will fit. I could try an after sunset or early morning shoot, could be fun. Thanks for your help.

Bob

[gstark]

Bob,

Welcome.

How old is the 50 f/1.4? More importantly, what is the specific designation of this lens?

Being from an FE, it's probably an AI, which means that, metering and focussing manually, it can be used on the D70.

And it should memter on a D200 body.

[Old Bob]

Hi Garry

I dug out the 50mm, and yes, it is an AI lense. I put it on the D70 and yes, It works. I was pretty sure it would work with the D200, but was unaware it would fit the D70. Now, I have to stop being lazy, and try to remember how to drive a real camera. After many years of using a P and S, this should be fun. No chance of getting bored now. Thanks for the info, and taking the time help, much apreciated.

Bob

[Pa]

show us the results with the 50mm next time you try bob.

cheers pa