Carol,
        Without seeing the results of your 'dismal' attempt, I have two
suggestions for making better dupes. First, get the right lense. Many "zoom"
lenses have a 'macro' focus which will allow you to get close to the image
you are copying. If you don't have one or a friend with one, you can
probably rent one cheaply. The trick is to fill your viewfinder with the
image you are copying (i.e. cropping the image with the camera). You can
also cut a quick custom made matte board from flat black paper to isolate an
image on a page if you are having trouble getting close enough to it without
other images intruding into your frame.
        The second issue has to do with the light you used to illuminate the
image. Your basic slide film is color balanced for daylight, so if you shot
the film under tungsten or flourescent light the colors of the image will be
noticeably off. Take your photos outside. A slightly overcast day is best,
but as long as you avoid getting your shadow in the way sun is good too.
        Last points: whether you shoot your images by laying the book on the
ground or propping it upright, a tripod will help you focus much easier;
clothes pins are good for holding pages open while you copy an image; and
take multiple shots of each image, varying your exposures.
        Good Luck!
        Fielding Freed
        Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
        Beech Island, South Carolina

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