[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Rod and Mikael,

Good suggestions, indeed. Rod, what is this magical camera and lens that you are using? Mikael, what is the tripod and remote viewing setup that you are using? Images of each send via e-mail would be appreciated.

One ugly little drawback in copying at NARA II is that one has to get approval to make the copies in the first place. This consists of someone completely lacking in knowledge reviewing the document, looking for whatever, then providing you with an NND label which needs to be visible in whatever you copy. For using copy machines, it isn't a really big deal, as you tape the label somewhere to the platten surface. I'm not sure what they do in the case of scanners or cameras. I will say that the tape they use is especially sticky, generally leaving a gummy residue on the copy machine platten.

The NND label indicates that, regardless of the classification shown on the document, it is unclassified/declassified. Thus, it is a good idea to copy it as well. The decision to declassify has been made much earlier and the NND number appears on the box the document came in, not decided by the person giving you the label.

The only time I can recall that I was ever prohibited from copying something was a photo in a binder. I think they were worried about breaking the back of the binder. Other than that, approval appears to be proforma.

The next issue has to do with whether to take the staples out of the document to get a good copy. "Good" is in the eye of the specific person at the desk. Some will willingly remove the staples while others will give you a hard time, forcing you to badly bend the papers and hope and pray that they aren't too brittle and break. A stapled document will also prove more difficult to copy by camera or scanner.

Regards,
Richard