Hi folks,
 
Concerning digital images for artifact shots, we've had good luck at our
lab using our flatbed HP scanner, at least for pieces that are reasonably
flat. Put down a piece of mylar or even saran-wrap to protect the scanner's
element from the artifact, and then, depending on whether you want a black
or white background, leave the lid raised or lower it for the scan. We've
done projectile points, buttons, coins, knives, buckles, and even pot
sherds for our artifact inventory database, and the same bitmaps can be
emailed to our specialists in Ottawa for identification and preliminary
analysis. It's quick, and the detail is -much- better than any affordable
digital camera (we've got a Kodak DC50, and I'm not particularly happy with
the results for anything other than snap-shots). Try it out. It's
surprising how well it works. Just be careful -- the element can scratch
easily.
 
Cheers,
 
John Guilfoyle
Archaeologist, Parks Canada