photographing olf computers/parts

I have variable (mostly good) luck with ASA 400 Kodak (Fuji too green) in a Minolta X700 in manual mode, with a 28 - 210 variable lens. I find, unless the subject is brightly sun-lit, that a tripod is indeed one's friend. The 'timer' feature is good in low light situations with the tripod... you can compose and trip the shutter with no vibration whatsoever. I sometimes shoot down an f-stop or two to get good depth-of-field in low light. I use several (4-8) 100W spots and floods made for track lighting, in cheap scissors-clamp-type reflector fixtures. If possible, I use the docs and maybe a large printset for the backround... or as Sam suggested... a colored towell or sheet, contrasting the device, does fine. Towels are nice because of the texture. I have them developed commercially and scan the prints, then I can massage them as necessary. Undistorted close-ups of boxy, angular subjects is problematic without having a camera with an adjustable back, swings, and tilts. (A large portrait camera). I have used the macro settings of my lens at times to get a real close-up. I am circling around buying a digital still camera... but none of them under USD$3000 really crank my tractor yet. If I had to buy tomorrow, for me it would be the Kodak DC260. YMMV. This is, to me, a very on-topic topic. There are many systems now, I am sure, whose legacy is reduced to photos and descriptions. I take pix of *everything*, even the 'common' or 'less-desirable' stuff. I have a roll due back tomorrow with the new shots of the Prime 2550 and the resulting re-laying out of my own little pile of stuff... as it slowly conquers the rest of the livingroom and heads for what used to be the garage. Cheerz John PS: SoCal TRW Swapmeet vintage collectors meeting: Sat the 30th!