Hi Andrea, When I started in museum work, I did not have the advantage of having a copy of New Methods, but I had been a free lance photographer for 15+ years. In that time I had acquired a Macro lens by Eleitz and a Leica camera. I also have a close up ring which can allow me to make images on the 35 mm film in a 1:1 ratio to the actual object. Without the ring I can got 1:2. Either size allows for incredible detail. I also use the Technical Pan Film which Kodak creates for copy work. The speed is slow (ASA 25) but under copy lights that's insignificant. What I have been able to do with a blue filter, slow exposure, and high contrast printing to recover faded images on golden brown on yellow sepia photographs is fascinating. The Macro lens which Leica has in a 60 mm. I think that is the type of lens you are meaning when you say a close up lens. Close up attachments can get you closer with a 50 mm lens at a cheaper price but may or may not render as accurately. The difference between 50 and 60 millimeters is not very significant. I think what New Methods wants people to avoid is the wider angles such as 28 mm (which digital cameras do not equal yet) or the "fisheye lens" of 21 mm because of the distortion inherent in these lens. The straight edges of buildings, even of the edges of post cards or photographs would show a noticable curve to the observant viewer. For color work are you considering Kodacolor transparency because of its archival quality or digital because of its convenience? On the copy stand the difference in weight is irrelevant. It depends upon how are you using the camera off the stand that will determine whether you need the heavier duty aspect or not. Having a lot of battered, useless camera bodies at my disposal now, I would go for the heavier camera for its durability. If you are thinking of using the camera for objects too large for the copy board, and that's why the concern about the weight, consider that you probable want to have it on a tripod when you photograph the larger works. Again, if you use a tripod, the weight difference is irrelevant. As you can see, I am kind of old fashioned about my camera technology. I used digitals as needed for the local newspaper and deplore the detail in the pictures. For my museum work, I stick to what I know works and lasts until proven otherwise. Good luck in your decision. Mary Kirby Historic Upshur Museum [log in to unmask] ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).