Tuesday, October 6, 2009

To buy or not to buy.

PI GEAR: To Buy or Not to Buy,
That Is The Question


By Cody Woods -
Email: cwnaisbiz@aol.com

Buying equipment is part of the job of private investigators. Knowing when and what to buy is one of the secrets of successful investigators.

How many times have you had to turn down a case because you didn’t have the right equipment to do the job?

How many times have you messed up a case because your equipment failed, or user error (I know you do not want to admit it, but it happens).

I bet most of you have come across one of these problems. Even the most successful investigators have these problems, but they have them a lot less frequently than most. And the reason for this is that they are prepared.

Let’s start with knowing when to buy equipment. Some of you will say “I only buy something if a case comes up that I need it”. Others buy when there is a sale, or when they have extra money. And still others just buy whatever is the latest and greatest.

The way I look at it is that anything you buy is an investment in your business. Anything you buy to work your cases, you can pass the cost onto your clients. A lot of times, the first case you use the equipment will pay for it, and after that, you still charge the clients for the equipment, and that part is all profit. Pretty much anything you buy can help you make more money in the long run. I know some of you will say that the 29.95 bug detector you bought to do a $3000.00 countermeasures sweep didn’t help me make any money when it didn’t work correctly and you lost the case. But I beg to differ. I say it probably helped you to make money in the future. You probably learned a lesson that will help you not to make the same mistake in the future, thereby making you money in the long run if you learned the lesson and where more prepared and informed in the future.

Every day, I talk to someone who needs a piece of equipment yesterday. If you know sometime in the future, you will work a case where you will need a video camera, or a digital camera, why not buy in advance. Doing so can save you a lot of time and aggravation.

A lot of the equipment that you might need in the future takes some time to learn. I talk to investigators everyday that get some new piece of equipment the day before they need to use it, and when they go out on a case, they do not know how to use it, and end up loosing the case. If they had bought the equipment ahead of time, and taken the time to learn how to use it, they probably wouldn’t have lost the case.

Another good reason to buy equipment ahead of time is to save money. Whether you are buying something on sale, or buying things for your company for tax purposes. A friend of mine from Alabama, who runs a successful investigative agency, has a room full of equipment that he has bought when his accountant told him he needed to spend some money on his business. Some of the equipment might sit around for a year before he uses it, but the key is he has it, and has had time to learn it when he needs it. Every few years, he comes to visit me and restocks with new and updated equipment.

Now a lot of you will say I do not want to have a lot of inventory sitting around wasting space. Well, there are a couple of solutions for you.

  1. Sell your old equipment to your clients. You can make money above what you paid for the items. You can also charge a fee to train them in the use of the equipment. I know a lot of investigators who make a lot of extra income selling equipment on the side.
  2. Sell your unused equipment to another investigator. With all the investigative e-groups on Yahoo, there are plenty of forums to hawk some of your old or unwanted equipment.
  3. Rent out equipment to your clients, or to other investigators.

Now to move on to my second part of this article: Knowing what to buy. Countless times I have had investigators tell me that they bought a piece of equipment to do a job and it didn’t work. After talking with them a bit, I figured out that it wasn’t that the equipment didn’t work, but that it was the wrong piece of equipment for the job. There are many ways to find out what is the right piece of equipment for the job.

  1. Talking to other investigators. Find out what they use. E-groups are a great place to post a question about equipment. Take advantage of the free resources out there.
  2. Going to Investigative seminars and conventions. A lot of the time, they will have people speaking on equipment. Also, you can talk to a lot of vendors, and manufacturers there.
  3. Find a knowledgeable and honest sales person. (I know many of you think we do not exist, but there are some of us.)


In every profession, generally the most successful are also the ones who are prepared. If you have the equipment, and know how to use it, you can honestly tell the client whether you are capable and equipped to handle the job. If you get the case and you keep the case and get referrals from the client you will make more money. That is why most are in the business, to make a living. If you are not prepared, and do not have the equipment you most likely will not get the job, or if you take a case and mess up because you do not have the equipment or the knowledge to use it correctly, you will not keep the client or get any positive referrals from them. So doesn’t it make sense to be prepared?

Cody Woods is a licensed private investigator in the state of Texas. He's general manager of Thomas Investigative Publications, Inc. and The Spy Exchange And Security Center. He has been around and used investigative equipment since a teenager and is one of the nation's leading authorities on investigative and security equipment. Mr. Woods is now one of the nation's leading developers and importers of investigative and security gear. Many leading professional security and investigative equipment shops use his wholesale service which is called SpyTek Wholesale. You can email him at: cwnaisbiz@aol.com

Sunday, October 4, 2009

The Cutting Edge

TALKING ABOUT INNOVATION AT IT'S BEST -LOOK AT THIS!
Your On The Cutting Edge Now.............!

THE FUTURE GEAR CALLED FUTURETeK!
The Smartest Pen You'll Ever See--For A While Anyway..

YOU ONLY NEED ONE AND IT'S
JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Presented By Ralph Thomas And Cody Woods!
Photos from an egroup.

Yes, the projected computer screen and projected touch keyboard works!
Want a bigger screen? No problem! Just pull the projector lens back!
But a computer in a pen is just the start of this new wonder!

This is something Al Gore might have practically invented! It's a complete
computer, cell phone, GPS tracker, covert video camera, fax machine,
wireless internet browser, high resolution still camera, wireless email
checker and sender, roll-out iPod, MP3 and MP4 player, movie downloader
and player, TV receiver including cable and satellite TV, automatic telephone
audio recorder and any thing else you want it to be all rolled into one small unit.
Actually, right now, you will need the kit of just one to use as a computer as shown
above but look at this...

Rolled up, it can be used as a writing pen and take photos as well as
audio and video record. It has a built in GPS tracker so it can be tracked
anywhere and anytime.

Rolled out, it becomes a combination ipod and/or mini computer, Cell phone
and digital video recorder with a touch screen protection keypad and hand-held
Xerox machine. With it's new service you can instantly download and watch any
TV show ever made, any movie ever released and any song ever recorded!
But there is even more! It's also a contact list, digital note pad, calculator,
spell checker, game player, day timer, and card reader. You'll never
need one more pocket device! And oh, we forget to mention it can
Also be used as a radio, Walke Talkie (with two sets), magnifying glass,
hand warmer, flash light and alarm clock!

And oh yea, we forgot to mention. Look through the the center and you have
a 70X pair of micro binoculars. We also forgot to mention that the stick will vibrate
if you like and end users can use their own innovation to use it any way they like!

They will be, "cheaper, better, smarter and smaller!"
SAY TUNED TO THIS WEB SITE AS WE WILL BE MARKETING THEM!

Unit FUTURETeK comes out, take a look and see what's high tech,
state of the art and ready now!

What's NewBooksEquipmentSoftwarePI Kits
NAISFind A PILinksResourcesClothing
BadgesID CardsCertificationsDigital DataOur Staff
PI NewsPI DailyCop ShopGift IdeasBecome A PI
Utrak Inc. - GPS Sign-On

THOMAS INVESTIGATIE PUBLICATIONS, INC.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INVESTIGATIVE SPECIALISTS, INC.
SPY EXCHANGE AND SECURITY CENTER

P O Box 82148, Austin, Texas 78708
Showroom: 9513 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78758
Phone 512.719.3595 Fax 512.719.3594

Copyright: 2007, Thomas Investigative Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Thomas Investigative Publications, Trademark, 1981.
National Association Of Investigative Specialists, Inc, Trademark, 1986.
Spy Exchange, Trademark, 1999

Friday, October 2, 2009

The History And Evolution Of Spy And Investigative Photography

The History And Evolution Of Spy
And Investigative Photography
By Ralph Thomas


I find cameras and their history quite fascinating and as a collector of spy and subminiature cameras, I thought I would share with you the history and evolution of such cameras and investigative photography. When you get to the actual samples of the cameras in this article, you can click on the links to see bigger images and get more information about them. When you are in the Texas area, be sure to plan on stopping in at the Spy Exchange And Security Center showroom to see our PI Vintage Spy And Private-Eye Museum rooms where you can see these cameras and much more in person.

Investigative and evidence photography has gone through three basic evolutions. The first one was daguerreotype photography which was the first photography. The second evolution was film photography. The third evolution is digital photography which we are in today.

Starting in the 16th century, artists learned how to project images onto surfaces. However, it was not until the 1820's that photography was invented. In the summer of 1826, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the world's first photograph from a second story window utilizing pewter plates in France. He didn't announce his discovery publicly until 1839, another ten years. Before there was photography as we know it today, there was daguerreotype photography.



The World's First Photograph
Daguerreotype photography was really the first successful photo process. It caught on like wild fire in the late 1830's and early 1840's. Daguerreotype photography was done with copper plates that were coated with iodine which produced light sensitive silver iodide. Once made, plates had to be used within about a hour or they were no good. Exposure to light for several minutes was needed to obtain a proper exposure. One had to stand very still for a long time in order to obtain a Daguerreotype photo. If one moved around, you would generally get a blurred image. Take a look of the photograph below. Lincoln's face is a little blurred. That's likely because his head moved just a little during the several minute process it took to expose this photo.

This Daguerreotype image of Allan Pinkerton, President Lincoln, and Maj. Gen.
John A. McClernand; Antietam, Md. September-October 1862 has been very well
preserved and greatly enhanced from the original Daguerreotype. There are not
many like the quality of this. Most Daguerreotype photos fad over a few years
and tend to have a very shiny mirror appearance to them. Some fad so bad, the
images in the photo almost disappear or become so faint, they are hard to view
with the naked eye.

By the time of the Civil War, Daguerreotype photography was well established in the United States. The ability to take a detailed exposure in black and white of what the eyes see was quite a marvel for it's time. However, photography as an investigative and spy tool had limited use. Since one had to stand still for a long time to get a good photo, covert photography as we know it today, was not in existence. Photography could be used to record various types of outdoor scenes as well as crime scenes. Indoor scenes could be done with proper lighting conditions. Night time photography was about out of the question.

Daguerreotype photography equipment was big and bulky. The camera almost always had to be used with a tripod because of the long exposures needed. In these days, you couldn't just "snap" a photo. Once a photo was taken the one plate had to be carefully removed from the back of the camera. There were a lot of chemical processes involved. People who did Daguerreotype photography did, for the most part, develop their own plates. Film as we know it today had not yet been invented. To the left, is what a daguerreotype camera looked like. You can click here to learn more about the cameras and processing.

To the left is a daguerreotype photo of the assassination scene in Ford's Theater right after the assassination of President Lincoln. The photo was taken during the early morning hours after the President's death. Note the blurred image of the soldier standing guard in the right bottom portion of the photo. The image is blurry simply because the soldier moved while the exposure was being made. This daguerreotype photo is very well preserved. It's part of the FBI files which has a small file on the Lincoln assassination it has collected even though the FBI was not in existence at the time of the Lincoln assassination. This is one of only a couple of known daguerreotype photos taken at the scene.

Crime Scene Daguerreotype Photo
This well preserved crime scene photo was taken just after the Lincoln assassination at Ford's Theater. It shows the stage door in which John Wilkes Booth exited the stage after jumping from the Presidential box. The Daguerreotype on the left has scratches and blotches on it. The Daguerreotype on the right has been restored in Photoshop by the author of this article.

Most cameras were very big and very bulky. The cameras themselves were mostly made of wood and were placed on wooden tripods. It was not until about 1865 that a small sliding box camera 1 inches by 1 2/3th of inch was developed. This was likely the first subminiature spy camera that was developed in France. These cameras worked just like the huge and heavy Daguerreotype cameras with a light box, lens and a sliding frame in the back for the light sensitive plate to be placed.

Contrary to what many believe, there were people experimenting with color in the Daguerreotype photography age. However, the colors would fade out. Using additive and subtractive methods, the first permanent color photo was taken by a physicist by the name of James Clerk Maxwell in 1861. Useable methods to sensitize plates to color with green light were discovered in 1873 and orange light in 1884.However, sensitivity to red light did not happen until film was discovered in the 1900s.

Daguerreotype photography had it's limits. The process was quite expensive and time consuming. A huge assortment of plates, chemicals and bulky camera equipment had to be carried around for anyone who wanted to take photographs. Making copies was highly expensive.

There were several other processes that improved upon daguerreotype photography but these processes were sort of short lived and merely improved the end results. These news processes did not improve the massive bulkiness of the overall photography process. The wet-plate process came into existence around 1851. The wet-plate process eliminated the flat reflections of daguerreotype photography. In 1856 a process called tintype came into being which further developed the quality of photographs.

Super Subminiature Box Camera, 1870's

The Super Camera was a subminiature box camera that worked via the dry plate process. It would take one exposure at a time by placing the plate in the back of the camera. The camera eye leaver to expose the plate had to be timed. That is, you would pull down on the shutter leaver and then release it once you felt you had enough exposure time to place the impression on the one plate. This camera measured 2 inches wide by 2 3/4th inches long by 3 inches deep. It was one of the smallest known cameras for it's time.

In the late 1800's, dry plate snapshot photography came into being. These cameras were rare and expensive. That all changed when George Eastman discovered film that replaced the Daguerreotype in 1884. In 1888 the Eastman Kodak camera with film hit the market. Suddenly, a photographer no longer needed to carry around boxes of plates and toxic chemicals! The age of the Daguerreotype, wet-plate and tintype photography had ended. It wasn't long before miniature film was made and really small miniature and subminiature spy cameras hit the market place. One of the first miniature film cameras was the Ansco Memo Camera that came out in 1927. The first subminiature was the Tica Expo Watch Camera.

Entering The Film Evolution

Ansco Memo Miniature Camera, 1927

The Ansco Memo Miniature Camera was made by Agfa Ansco of New York. It was marketed as the only camera that could take 50 pictures with one roll of fifty cent film. The Memo Camera, as it was called, sold for $20.00 and featured an F: 3.5 Anastigmat lens. She measured a mere 1.5 inches wide, 4 inches long and 2 inches deep. Really small for 1927. The camera was known for taking good photos of action and speed. Photos could be taken quickly one after the other. This was state-of-the-art and a modern marvel for it's time. The Memo Cam became a favorite camera for private detectives. If you think the $20.00 price tag was cheap, $1 in 1927 had the same purchasing power as $32.35 does today. That makes this a $640.00 camera by today's value.

Tica Expo Watch Camera, 1890's -1920's

Before most of us were born, men generally carried a watch in their pocket and not on a watch band on their arm. They were, of course; known as pocket watches and almost all successful business people had one. Spies, undercover officers and private-eyes needed a way to conceal a camera they could carry on their body. What better idea that one built into what looked like a pocket watch. The Tica Expo Watch Camera is likely the most famous watch spy cameras every made. Thousands of them were sold around the world in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The Expo brand was made by Expo Camera Company of New York. The Tica Expo had an attachable viewfinder that would attach to the top of the pocket watch type unit.

The first really useful color film did not reach the USA market until 1907. It was called Autochrome film. It was based on a screen-plate method.The first modern film to produce color was in 1935. It was called Kodachrome.

Lumiere ELJY Subminiature Camera, 1930's
The Lumiere ELJY Subminiature Camera was a French camera developed by Auguste and Louis Lumière. This was really a marvel for it's time period. It was a high end spy camera. The lens extends out from the camera and locks in place. The view finder pops up. The shutter, which is located in the lens barrel, makes it possible to have speeds: 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100. . The Lypar f3.5 lens has a variable focus of 0.5m to infinity (20 inches on the imperial version). It measured a mere 24x36 mm.
Petal Camera 1940's
The Petal Camera was the spy camera from the 1940's hoarded by American private eyes and sold for ten dollars (US). That might seem really cheap by today's standards but ten bucks was a lot of greenbacks back then. In fact, that was almost a week's pay. The Petal Camera is a tiny, round camera about the size of a US quarter. It has a fixed-focus 12mm (f5.6) lens. Speeds could be set at B and I and it produced six, 6mm circular images on a 25mm film disc in a special cassette. The Petal is so small, in fact, that it is listed in The Guinness Book of World Records as being the smallest camera ever produced.
Micro 16 Subminiature Spy Camera 1940's
The MICRO 16 was made by Wm. R. Whittaker Co., Ltd. in Los Angeles, California, USA. from 1946-1950 and was highly popular. It was about the size of a package of cigarettes and was often hidden inside a pack when used by spies and private-eyes. The Micro 16 took 16 mm film. It had a 90 degree viewfinder. The aperture was controlled through a lever and could be adjusted to bright, dull and color. The plunger on the top of the camera could be pressed to advance the film and could be made to stay down flat on the surface. A film counter was viewable from the back. It was quite a modern marvel for it's time! The camera sold for about $30.00 in the 1940's. However, in the 1940's that was just above what the average weekly paycheck was for an American.

These little box cameras as shown above are becoming quite valuable. In 1991 a Lucky Strike camera from Cold War history much like the camera above with the exception that it had fake cigarettes where the push button is sold for $30,000 at Christie's auction. Since that time, they have gone up even higher and are becoming quite rare to even find for sale.

It was not until the Minox spy camera hit the market place in the 1940's that investigators and spies had a huge assortment of controls they could use to adjust a small camera. The Minox camera was the first subminiature camera with truly professional controls including, focus, Aperture of the lens, duration of exposure (or shutter speed) and focal length and type of lens (telephoto, macro, wide angle, or zoom)

Minox Spy Camera 1940's, 1950's,1960's
Known throughout the world as the subminiature camera to have, the Minox spy camera was in the hands of almost all intelligence agents and spies in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. The camera was very good at taking close up document photography. The camera was so small and so good for it's hay-day that it had restricted sales to governmental and military intelligence agencies in many parts of the world such as the United States. In the late 1960's through the 1980's if you were a private-eye and hand one, you had the very latest high tech subminiature camera on the market. They were also very expensive.

Minox Spy Cameras stayed king of the subminiature camera world and released an endless selection of options including a high end light meter, various flash attachments, a subminiature tripod, telephoto lens and a right angle lens. Still, other small spy cameras were produced in massive numbers. On of the most popular of these special function cameras was the Steikeck ABC Wrist Watch Camera that came out in the 1940's.

The Steineck ABC Wrist Watch Camera, 1940's
One of the longest running sales of a unique spy camera was the Steineck ABC Wrist Watch Camera. It was sold in the USA from the late 1940's until the late 1950s. Although this was not a watch, and is really was disguised, it was a highly popular camera for it's time. if you were a private investigator and had one, you were the talk of the industry.

During the mid and late 1950's a huge assortment of small cameras hit the market place. Some of these cameras were very good cameras. Some of them were very cheap and didn't work well. Just about all of the small camera makers used special film that one would have to purchase from the camera maker. Not only that, they all maintained their own processing labs and did it in a way that one would have to use only the processing lab of the camera maker. This produced a steady flow of profit in the form of both camera sales, film sales and film development income from the labs. Steky and Minute 16 cameras shown below were two of the more popular subminiature cameras of this time period. The Steky camera was a very good camera. The Minute 16, although millions were spent on it's research, never did really work that well in practice.

Steky IIIB Miniature Spy Camera With 40mm
Telephoto Lens 1950's

Steky IIIB Miniature Spy Camera With 40mm Telephoto Lens was a highly popular miniature camera with long range shooting ability with the telephoto lens. The camera measured a mere 2 1/2 inches tall and shot 16mm film. A very fine camera!
Minute 16 Mini Spy Camera from Universal Camera
Corporation, 1950's

The Minute 16 Mini Spy Camera from Universal Camera Corporation was unique in that it could shoot movie pictures or stills. That was quite a feat for it's time! It's tiny! Measurements where about three inches by two inches. After the success of the Minox spy camera, many such cameras came into the market place with the business idea that the camera company could make money off of processing the film (which only they could do of course!) The Minute 16 was one of the more popular ones because of it's size and multi-functional ability. However, it didn't last long. Some state that over two million dollars was poured into the design and research of the camera. However, it didn't work that well. In the 1950's the Universal Camera Corporation went belly up.

The First Button Camera, 1950's

Used by intelligence agencies during the cold war in the 1950's and 1960's, the world's first button camera could only take still shots and was so bulky, it could only be used with a heavy coat. The actual button was a plate that screwed onto the camera lens of a small subminiature camera. The button camera plate had a cord that ran into the agent's pocket. Using this method, when an agent wanted to take a still photo, he simply placed his hand in the pocket and pushed the lever.The center part of the button would quikly slide away to expose the camera lens and the shutter would open. Since the exposure was done on small subminiature 16 MM film, one had to develop the film before one could see the results of the efforts. Most agents had their own film developing kits. The coat used had to have the button camera installed on it with matching buttons as well as a hole torn inside the coat pocket so the camera lever could be installed. No one knows for sure exactly how many of these were around but it's rather rare to find one today.

They were custom made by intelligence agencies such as the CIA. Crude by today's standards, these were highly rare, custom made and state-of-the-art in the 1950s. Quite different from the equipment in use today by investigators, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Click Here for more details and an online video of the first button cameras from the 1950's.

The Private-Eye Camera pictured below was a highly popular camera for private-eyes in the 1950s. It was a camera for those who could not afford nor did not need the high end features of a Minox. The camera functioned well for it's time.

Private Eye Shirt Pocket Camera, 1950's
This camera was made in France and was marked "Private Eye". It was produced in the 1950s and marketed in the USA. It was really small for it's day and took good still photos. The Private-Eye had a double micro-coated f6.3 and 1/50 second shutter that (according to it's promo material) insured sharp in-focus shots. The film was 16 mm film that would take18 exposures. When the film was advanced, the camera was automatically "cocked" for taking the next photo. There is a pen-type clip so you could carry it in your shirt pocket. No doubt every private-eye that was into the latest gadgets and equipment wanted one of these.

In the late 50's and early 60's, America was in the mist of the Cold War and spying between the US and the USSR was everywhere. The KGB had developed a highly powerful camera that came to be known as the Photosniper. With it's rifle stock to aim the camera and keep it steady along with it's super powerful telephoto lens, the Photosniper was developed to take close up facial shots of people going into and out of embassies around the world. For a long time, the Photosniper became the industry spy standard telephoto camera to get close ups from a long way away. When the USSR fell apart, there was a huge flooding of the photo market place with the Photosniper. Today, they are rather hard to find.

KGB Stock Mount Sniper Camera With
Long Range Telephoto Lens

This long range telephoto camera was used by the KGB to take photos of people going in and out of American Embassies in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. It was called the Photosniper because of the stock on the camera which could be pointed like a rifle. After the collapse of the USSR, these units were imported to the USA for a time. They are now hard to find

In the late 1950's and early 1960's Polaroid started a new camera revolution with film that developed itself in a matter of seconds and the finished photo could be pulled right out of the camera. It created an instant camera. It was invented by Edwin Land.

Polaroid Automatic 250 Land Camera, 1960s, 1970s
When the Polaroid Automatic Land Cameras came out, they were the rage for professionals including police officers, insurance adjusters, inspection services and private investigators simply because there was no film developing. State-of-the-art on the spot instant developed photos helped get investigative reports done with photos quick and easy. If you had a Polaroid Automatic Land Camera, you could take a photo and five minutes later, hand it to your client. The world was changing.

Note: You can view online a huge assortment of vintage subminiature spy cameras by clicking here. You can also see this assortment of vintage and antique subminiature spy cameras and a huge assortment of other spy and investigative artifacts in person in Austin, Texas at:
The Spy And Private-Eye Museum
The Spy Exchange And Security Center
9513 Burnet Road Suite 101, Austin, Texas 78758
Phone 512-719-3595


Entering Into The Digital Evolution
Computers have always been able to store images. The better early computers were able to take screen shots of it's screen and then covert them into a digital image. However, computers were just not powerful enough to handle digital photography at the resolution we needed until the late 1990's. Since that time, the digital photography revolution has taken off. Digital photography has many advantages over film photography. Since their is no film processing involved, it is, of course; cheaper and faster. Resolution is much better than in film photography although it didn't start out that way. It's been only a few years ago when the first digital mega pixel cameras came out. Mega pixels is the number of pixels per inch. Mega means million so a one mega pixel camera has a million pixels per inch. Today, it's quite common for digital cameras to have between 3 and 12 mega pixels. That is quite a bit of resolution. Since digital photography is integrated with computer technology, it's very easy to take digital photographs and place them right into an investigative report.

With software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, it's quite easy to adjust digital photographs making the computer one's do-it-yourself digitial darkroom. Adjustments such as brightness, contrast, color balance, resolution, size, and cropping are easy and fast. One can now do on a computer what used to be highly time consuming and highly expensive in a conventional film processing lab. Software today even lets an investigator do forensic analysis of photographs that was impossible just a few years ago. With software programs, even forensic restoration can easily be done.

The photo of the left is an old Daguerreotype photo of Allen Pinkerton, the first American private-eye on horseback. The original is cracked. By scanning these into a digital image, Photoshop lets you restore such photos as shown in the photo on the right. You can click here to see larger images.

Using The Old And The New
Using digital imaging with Photoshop, we believe we may has stumbled upon the only known photograph of Kate Warne, the first female private investigator who was hired by Allen Pinkerton before Lincoln become President of the United States. While doing background research, Barbara Maikell-Thomas found the photo on the left of Allen Pinkerton setting in a chair during the civil war. Barbara noted that the person standing directly behind him looked like a female. The photo is a well preserved daguerreotype photo in the Library Of Congress. We ordered a high resolution copy of the photograph from the Library Of Congress. Before the photo came in, we did some checking and came to find out the Kate Warne was indeed with Allen Pinkerton at the time this photo was taken. When you scan the photo into a computer and blow it up with Photoshop, a close up of the person reveals that makeup is being used. The above photo bar is small image samples of the work done with Photoshop You can click here to learn more about Kate Warner, the first American private investigator and the photo.

Digital photography is moving so fast these days, it's very hard to keep up with it. Photography in the digital world has moved into what is called future shock. Future shock means that things are moving so fast, products are almost out of date a few weeks after you purchase them. Here's a review of some digital cameras as it relates to the investigative world.

The Famous Oswald Backyard Photos In Digital Form
Remember these photos? They were of Lee H. Oswald, the man claimed to have been the killer of President Kennedy. These photos turned up after the assassination and were published in Life Magazine. They are photos of Oswald in his backyard with the rifle that is claimed to have murdered the President. Several years ago, I digitized the famous Backyard Photos of Lee Oswald and used Photoshop to analyze them. You will find it very revealing what I came up with. They where likely faked. Who faked them and for what reasons is still not clear but you will be amazed with this evidence which anyone can do with programs like Photoshop. Click here to review the report.



Dallas Police Photo Of Lee Oswald Possessions. Minox Camera, Other Photo Equipment And
Optics This photo comes from Chief Jessie Curry's book, The Assassination Files.I have
added the red arrows myself.

What's even more revealing is that Oswald himself owned a Minox Spy Camera. It was found among his positions after the assassination, inventoried by the Dallas Police and then quickly covered up. Some claim that the photo does NOT reveal a Minox Spy Camera, only a Minox Spy Camera Case and an Exposed Minox Light Meter. Ok, I will concede that fact! You can not see the camera. However, I have yet to know one person who would have had a Minox spy camera case and a light meter without the camera. Aside from the Minox, the photo (above) reveals a number of other interesting objects including other cameras, film, various small binoculars and other spy type photo and optic equipment. All owned by a man who was a minimum wage inventory clerk who lived in a rooming house. Yea right! When you study Oswald, it's quite clear he was some sort of low level spy or intelligence operative. Who he was working for and why is a house of mirrors that I don't believe will ever be solved. Well anyway, I don't need to go on and on about it. I'm just revealing some sample stuff youcan do in Photoshop and now retired from the bottomless pit of the Kennedy Association so please don't email me about it.

Mavica Floppy Disk Digital Camera, 1990's
The Sony Mavica Digital Camera was highly popular as one of the first digital cameras simply because you could transfer photos from the camera to your computer on a floppy disk. When digital cameras first came out, the question was always how one gets the digital photos from the camera to the computer. There was a lot of "compatibility" problems. The Mavica solved that problem by simply storing the images on a floppy disk which everyone liked.You would simply remove the floppy disk from the camera and insert it into the floppy disk drive of your computer. Today, more and more computers doesn't even have floppy disk drives. The Mavica hay-day wasn't all that long ago and is a good example of how quickly the digital camera and computer products have developed in just a few years.
PI-Camcorder TinyTek Stick
World's Smallest High Quality Camcorder!

Ideal For Covert Use! The World's Smallest Covert Video Recorder And/Or Camcorder!
On Sale Now! $129.95

Introducing the PI-Camcorder TinyTek Stick, the high quality camcorder that actually can fit inside a standard pack of gum. Delivering unbelievable quality video/audio at the touch of one button. Evidence recording has never been made easier! The PI-CamStick is the smallest high resolution, real time digital camcorder ever produced. Easy to use "one touch record" button lets you discretely record any evidence instantly. For the most discrete applications, the PI-CamStick can even fit into a standard pack of chewing gum! High quality instant videos have never been easier!

Pro Series 3-in-1 Key Chain Digital Spy Camera Kit
• High-Res Still Shot Cam • Web Cam • Video Clip Cam
Includes Photo Express Software and USB Cable
High-Res Still Shot Cam – Web Cam – Video Clip Cam - Includes Photo Express Software and USB Cable $49.95
The little Pro Series digital camera you can keep on your key chain is always ready to get that all important photo when you are! This inexpensive camera gives you enough pixels to take good digital photos when you need snap shots quick and will be of service to you when you need it !

NEW GENERATION STEALTHTeK Micro DVR 2009
WORLD'S SMALLEST HIGH RESOLUTION
DVR WITH SCREEN!


Smaller, Cheaper, Better With More Resolution Than Ever Before! Limited Time Special! FREE Camera With StealthTek DVR Order! Super Low Price!

PV900 Invisible Secrets DVR/ Covert Video Camera
This is high end covert bodywear innovation at it's best! The PV900 Invisible Secrets DVR is a law enforcement grade DVR built into a cell phone that has motion activation and time and data stamping. The high grade, high resolution low light hidden CCD camera is built into the top of the cell phone. Press a secret function key once you turn the covert video system on for recording and the screen of the cell phone looks like a normal cell phone. No one but you knows that it is recording video. Once the covert video operation footage is obtained, simply walk away with your cell phone. Press another secret function key and the high resolution video with time and date stamping can then be reviewed with the high resolution cell phone screen.

PI Black CamTeK Camcorder
A New Revolution In High-End CCD Multi-Function 8 in 1 Camcorder And Tiny DVR! Even Has Remote Control And DVR Functions!
• High End CCD Camcorder • 8 X Zoom
• 11 MP digital still camera • MP3/WMA digital audio player • Voice recorder • SD/MMC card reader • Portable DVR • Remote Control • 2.5 Inch Swivel Screen
• Tiny! - 4/ 1/4 X 2 1/4 x X 1 inches!


Aside from the higher grade spy camera products pictured above, there are some still digital cameras that are built into objects to hide the fact that they are cameras which makes them good for covert use. They are highly inexpensive.Here is a quick review of some of them.

World's First Completely Self Contained
Covert Video Camera And DVR Built Into A Working Watch

If you want the latest innovation in covert video bodywear, the covert video watch with built in digital video recorder hidden inside is finally hear! This handsome watch not only looks great, but it also hides a hidden 1.5 Mega Pixel CMOS camera with a 2 GB digital video recorder.

Working Pen With Built-In Video Camera/DVR! Covert Video Has Never Been Easier! Now With Up To 30 Hours Recording Time! Two Models To Pick From! 2GB or 4 GB Memory! Now Starting At Only $119.95

It used to be merely a dream to have a working video camera and DVR built into a working pen. However, amazing break-though nano technology has now made that dream a reality! This amazing devise is a high grade working pen that conceals a video camera and camcorder/DVR built right into it's top! Simply push one button to take video! This amazing PenCam has up to 4GB of memory built in which gives you up to 30 hours of recording time! You will find fast downloading of evidence to your PC through the USB 2.0 connection. With the built-in rechargeable battery that can be charged simply by plugging the unit into your USB port, this little camera is amazing and simple to use. The battery will last for three hours when charged. You'll be in a position to take up to 30 hours of video or hundreds of still shots with this unique state-of-the-art unit.
Unique 4-in-1 Digital Camera Surveillance Binoculars
Special Pricing
" 5 X Surveillance Binoculars • Built-In Digital Camera • Digital Video Camera • PC Camera • For Less Than What You Normally Pay For Good Binoculars
Thinking about being in a position to snap a photo every time you look through a pair of binoculars on a surveillance used to be only a dream but now that dream can come through with modern high tech digital/photo technology.
NEW! Covert Calculator Slim-Line Digital Camera
Great on-the-go tool for all investigators! It's featuring a very slim "card" type calculator and quality digital camera in one "shirt pocket" size unit. High speed transfer of images to your computer via included USB interface cable. 8K internal memory stores 32 images at high resolution (1280 x 960 pixels) and 117 images at standard resolution (640 X 480 pixels).


There certainly isn't any doubt that Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, the man who took the first photograph that we talked about at the start of this article in 1826; would be highly impressed with the advancements and the evolution of photography today. Below is a review of state-of-the-art equipment for both still and video covert photography.

STATE-OF-THE ART REVIEWS BY SUBJECT
COVERT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERA AND SUPPLY MENU

What's New In Covert Video

Micro Video And Pinhole Video Cameras

Covert Video Cameras Built Into All
Kinds Of Stuff
Bodywear Covert Video Cameras-
Cameras You Wear Or Covertly Carry
Tiny Bullet And Weatherproof Cameras Access Video Off The Net From Anywhere
Portable Mini Digital Video Recorders Complete Video Monitoring Systems
Camcorders & Still Digital Cameras Video Recorders
Total Digital Video Cameras & Gear Night Vision Optics
Quad Systems And Processors Simulated Video Cameras
Special Operations Video Video Camera Detection Gear
Other Surveillance Aids And Optics Surveillance Training Aids

The History And Evolution Of Covert Video Surveillance Evidence Gathering By Ralph Thomas

Choosing The Right Video Camera For Your Job- By Cody Woods

And:

Audio Evidence And The History And Evolution Of The Audio Recorder By Ralph D. Thomas

Early Detective Agency Advertising And Private Investigative Trends From The Past
- By Ralph D Thomas


Copyright: 2008, Ralph D. Thomas
All rights reserved.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Choosing the right camera

CHOOSING THE RIGHT VIDEO CAMERA GEAR FOR YOUR SURVEILLANCE
By Cody Woods
, LPI

As a specialist and expert on covert video camera gear, I can tell you that most investigators choose cameras in a hit or miss fashion. The choice you make is important and the cheapest camera is not always the best nor the right choice. Choosing the right camera for your specific surveillance needs can make or break your case. You have a lot of choices these days and it's important that you make the right one. Choices you need to consider include:

• Black And White, or Color
• Wired Or Wireless
• CMOS Or CCD
• Lux Rating
• Camera Power Options
• Various Types Of Recording Media
• Versatility And Multifunctional Ability

• Size Of Camera
• Size Of Recording Media
• Zoom Ability
• Resolution
• Storage Ability Of Your Recorder
• What Camera Is Disguised In

Many times the wrong choice is made. So let’s talk about how to make the right choice.

In order to decide what type of camera to use, you have to know the situation that you will be in. This includes the lighting of the area, the size of the area, and surrounding conditions. You need to think about what you will be wearing, and if you can conceal multiple items.

I would always recommend going with a wired camera when ever possible. You might not always have that option. Let’s go over a few reasons for choosing wired over wireless.

1. Less expensive.
You do not have to buy expensive transmitters and receivers.

2. Easier to use.
You do not have to learn the limitations of the transmitter

3. No worries about interference.
Radio signals, cordless phone, and any number of other things can interfere with your transmitter.

4. Quick setup.
Most wired cameras and recorders are plug & play.

5. If you have a recorder with a screen, you can see exactly what you are shooting.


Depending on the type of recorder you have, and where you have it, many times you can peek at the recorder and see the picture the camera is giving you.
Now, reasons not to choose wired cameras.

1. You have to carry around more equipment. (camera, battery, recorder)

2. Wired cameras with the recorder and batteries are harder to conceal.

3. Harder to shoot exactly what you want. (With some wireless cameras, you can point them directly at your subject.


The next step after you have decided to go with wired or wireless is to decide on the specs of the camera. CCD camera or a CMOS camera. This refers to the type of camera. I will not get too technical here; just break it down in layman’s terms.

CMOS: Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor: Generally a small camera that has a lower cost, less power needed, low resolution, and poor lux rating (light). This means, you need a lot of light for the camera to work well, and your picture will not be at the highest quality.

CCD: Charge-coupled device: Tend to be slightly larger than CMOS, but have better resolutions, and lux ratings, and higher cost, and need more power.

One of the most important specs you need to check on your camera is the LUX rating.

LUX ratings: This is how much light the camera needs to operate. Most color cameras have a 1 lux or higher rating. B/W cameras can be generally used in much lower light situations.
What this means is that for surveillance in a dimly light bar, you are going to need a camera with a very low lux rating. One of the best for this is an x-view camera. These cameras have a very low lux rating of .005 or lower, and can work in almost total darkness.

OK, by now, hopefully you have decided on wired, or wireless, CMOS, or CCD, and B/W, or color. Now, you need to decide how to conceal your camera. There are many options available today.

There is a huge choice in video micro video cameras today that have different features
and functions. Click here to review the different types of micro video pinhole cameras.

1. Buying a naked board camera, and hiding it in something yourself. This will give you many options, and you can change them whenever you want, and will tend to be cheaper.

2. Buying a camera that is already hidden in something. This is the easier option. Most of the time, you will get a camera that is well built inside of something, and be easy to use. The cost will be a little higher, but you do not have to worry about making up your own housing.



There Is A Huge Selection Of Small Covert Bodywear Video Cameras in the market place today.
Pictured Above
High Resolution CCD Button Camera Kit
High Resolution CCD Baseball Cap Camera
High Resolution CCD Broach Camera
High Resolution Tie Camera
High Resolution CCD Unisex Bag Camera
High Resolution CCD Earphone MP3 Camera
New High Resolution Bullet Type Camera
The New Walk-Around Book Camera Hiding The DVR!
High Resolution Tactical Helmet CCD Camera
PV500 Attachable Camera Clip
High Resolution Mini Micro Camera
Wireless GunCam With Laser Sight/Wireless PV700/Armband
New! Podium Mic Cam -Hides PV500 In Base

Pictured Above From Left To Right Is: Pen Camera, Eyeglass/Sunglass Camera, Eyeglass Case Camera, Bag Camera, Pager Camera And Cell Phone Camera.


Your choice will likely be predicated on where you are going, and what you are going to wear. For example, you would most likely not want a sunglass camera for an in bar surveillance. And likewise, you would not want to go with a tie camera at the beach.

When it Comes To Covert Video Today, There Is A Wide Selection Of
Pocket-Sized Digital Video Recorders That Can Be Carried On Your Body
Covertly Or Hidden Just About Anywhere.

Pocket-Sized DVRS
Aside from Camera choice, there is now a huge selection of small digital video recorders that are pocket-sized and worth your special attention. You can click here to review the latest cutting-edge DVR micro technology. The size and type of the DVR you pick is determined by the circumstances of the covert video job you have and the camera you are going to use. For example, is you are using a purse camera, it doesn't really matter how big the DVR is as long as it will fit inside the purse. You can employ various small DVRs with a number of features including multifunctional ability with viewing screens, motion activated units and a whole lot more. Once again, click here to check them out.

There are a number of high Resolution Pocket DVRs in the market place that investigators could only dream about just a few years ago. Let's review some of them. You can go to each individual product page and watch a video presentation of each one.

WATCH SOME OF MY FAST LOADING VIDEO PRESENTATIONS!

Watch Some Video Presentations Of Cutting-Edge Covert Video Products!
You Can Click Of Each Still Frame Above Or Links Below!

Video Presentation Of The PV-500 Pocket DVR
Video Presentation Of The BookIt Covert Video Camera
Video Presentation Of PV900 Invisible Secrets Pocket DVR
Video Presentation Of The Stealth ProPack Covert Surveillance Bodywear Kit!

Watch Some More Video Presentations Of Cutting-Edge Covert Video Products!
You Can Click Of Each Still Frame Above Or Links Below!

PV800 High Grade Pocket Digital Video Recorder With 80 GB Hard Drive
Video Camera And DVR Built Into Working Pen
High Resolution Button Camera/Screw Camera Kit Powred By Our PV DVR Series
PV700 Law Enforcement Grade Pocket Digital Video Recorder

Multifunctional Systems
When picking covert video camera equipment, it's important to consider it's multifunctional ability since you will likely use the video gear for more than one type of job. For example, at times you may need a pinhole micro video camera that is for a short period of time and be able to carry it with you. At other times, you may need a camera that is needed for an extended period of time. . Many of the covert video pinhole cameras will function both with battery operation and also have cords that let you plug into wall outlets so you do not need to worry about battery power.

Coming May 2008
Micro Eyes Ball Can DVR ! Home & Office Security Camera - High Res, Color Low Light, Motion Activated

The new ping pong sized ball camera/DVR has many uses. You can stick it in things for either bodywear or stationary covery video surveillance.

PI BLACK POCKET DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER (DVR)
Use It To Both Record Covert Video And Power Your Camera!

The all new PI Black DVR lets you use the tiny DVR itself to power certain kinds of covert video cameras. It will power the : Button Camera , Baseball Cap Camera, Purse Camera, Tie Camera, and Headphone Camera. This gives you a huge covert video surveillance advantage since you will not have to worry about battery power for both the camera and the DVR.

Although versatility and multifunctional covert video gear may cost you a little more up front, in the long run, you are going to end up saving a whole lot of money simply because the gear can be used for different types of covert video operations. That is, you will not have to run out and purchase additional gear when the functions you need changes. So then, consider multifunctional use and versatility when making your gear selection and you will be much better off in the long run.

Completely Self Contained Disguised Covert Video Camera
Systems For Sationary Covert Video Operations
Covert video camera systems built into everyday objects has come a long way. The first products of this nature required either wires or wireless connection to rather huge video recorders. They had limited function since the video recorder would have to run at all times. Once the video recorder tape or memory was gone, so was the video evidence. That has all changed. These covert video systems are now completely self contained with the recorder and camera built right into the product. Since these new self contained products are motion activated, there is no memory problems like there used to be. Here is a review of the best ones.

JUST UPDATED FOR 2008! STATIONARY COVERT VIDEO AT IT'S BEST!



New Generation For 2008! Stationary Covert Video Surveillance Has Changed!
Self Contained Stationary Covert Video Systems!

Top Quality Covert Video Camera Systems With Built In Digital
Video Recorders, Motion Activation And Time And Date Stamping!
Now With Up To 20 Hours Recording Time And Low Light Ability!

New Generation Stealth ProPack Covert Surveillance Bodywear Kit!
Covert Video Eyeglasses Now With Totally Clear Lenses Powered By DVR!
Two Other Interchangeable Lenses For Outside Use! High Grade Button Camera Powered By DVR! Pocket DVR With Time/Date Stamping Display!
Super Blowout Sale! Was $479.95 Now Only $295.00

Video PenTek In Black!
Working Pen With Built In Digital Camera And Camcorder!
• Take Covert Video With This Amazing Pen!
• 1GB of memory and 1mega pixel resolution built right into a working pen!
• Fast downloading and battery charging through USB port!

COVERT VIDEO OPERATIONS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!
New! Recluse! VideoTeK Black Box!
So Stealth You Can Not See The Camera An Inch Away! Completely Self Contained With
Covert Camera, Digital Video Recorder Motion Activation And Time And Date Stamping

CoverTeK Super CovertCam For 2008!
• Completely Self Contained Stationary Covert Video System!
• Motion Activation, Time And Date Stamping, Automatic Stitching Night Vision Viewing!
• Completely Self Contained With Digital Video Recorder And Camera!
• Secret LCD Screen In Back Let's You Set Controls And Instantly Review Evidence!
• Wireless Transfer To Your Computer When Needed! $585.00

New for 2008! StealthShot Cam
The Automatic Motion Activated Covert Stationary Covert Video Camera
With Up To 11 Days Of Video Footage! Barely Even Noticeable And Fully Automatic!

The StealthShot Cam is a complete video recording system that is both compact and discreet. A built-in CMOS camera catches all the action and the video is recorded onto the included SD card. The best part is, this device looks like an ordinary motion sensor, allowing you to monitor any location discreetly. Simply mount it on the wall at your home or business and the StealthShot Cam will capture high quality digital video. When you want to view your footage, just remove the SD card and watch it on your computer.

JUST RELEASED FOR 2007!

NEW GENERATION FINGERCAM FOR 2007!
MSR $295.00 ON SALE! ONLY $99.50

World's Smallest Color Wireless Covert Video Camera!
So Small-You Almost Need A Magnifying Glass To Notice It!

Complete Kit! With Tiny Wireless Color Camera, Receiver, Battery Power Adapters, Power Plug Adaptors, RCA Plugs And Everything Else You Need! Easy And Fast, Ready To Go Complete System!

VIDEO SPYCAMS 2007!
WORLD'S SECOND- SMALLEST MICRO VIDEO CAMERAS
About The Size Of a US Dime-Low Pricing-Four Models To Pick from

1.2 Ghz Wireless Micro Video Cmos Color Camera
With Receiver On sale $149.95

1.2 Ghz Wireless Micro Video Cmos B&W Camera
With Receiver On Sale Now $119.95

ZOOM CAM WITH REMOTE
CONTROL PAN AND TILT

It Zooms! It Tilts! It Pans! All Remote Controled In
A Quality Pinhole Video Camera!

Amazing Color High-Resolution Sony Super HAD CCD (520 LOR) super cone pinhole lens camera with digital pan, tilt and 3X zoom. Our package includes handy remote controller with 115ft. cable.

Ultra Extreme View Video Monitoring System


• Web Ready
• 40 Day Motion Activated DVR System with
• Integrated 7" LCD Screen and
• 4 Outdoor CCD Cameras with
• Built-in IR Night Vision
• Ready For Viewing Anywhere
• Time And Date Stamping
• Hand Or Net Remote Control

Video Surveillance Through The Internet
Viewing video surveillance from the internet has developed into a video surveillance specialization in and of itself. It involves computer technology with the right kind of software, cameras and connections but it's quite easy and inexpensive to set up. Below is a review of the complete Internet video surveillance software and camera package that lets you do just that.

VISEC VIDEO SOFTWARE SYSTEM
Access Video Camera From Anywhere Over The Internet!

Turns Your Computer Into A High Tech Video Monitoring Station
You Can Access From Anywhere In The World. Use Your Existing
Cameras Or Obtain Specialized Cameras. Access Video From The Internet. Have System Contact You By Phone, Email, Cell Phone Or PDA When It Detects Motion!

New Generation Quad Video Surveillance Systems

Recently, Quad video surveillance systems have come way down in price making them within reach of just about anyone or for just about any operation or monitoring needs. Below are two of the latest video surveillance quad kits.

QuadTeK Video Camera Kit
4 Cam Color Bullet Cameras With Quad

Quality and economy in a 4-camera weatherproof color CCD bullet package with mini real time, zoom quad and all accessories. Package also includes (4) 65ft. plug and play cables and AC adaptors to power all cameras and quad. Additional cable length can be added using standard plug and play cables. Color 400 LOR CCD cameras include swivel mount and hardware.

NEW! WEATHERPROOF HIGH RES DAY/NIGHT QUAD SYSTEM
4 IR CAMERA PACKAGE-UNBELIEVABLE QUALITY AND PRICE!

Quality and economy in a 4-camera weatherproof color Day/Night IR CCD bullet package. Super Night Eye high resolution cameras capture video at over 400 lines of resolution in full sun light or in total darkness at 25 feet! Real time, full function high-resolution (720x480) quad features zoom, time/date stamp, remote control, PIP, freeze frame, motion alarm and multiple dis play modes.


Hopefully you are well on your way to choosing the right camera for the right job now. If not, give me a call, and I will be happy to help you make the right decision for the right job. Below you will find links that take you to extensive selections of video camera products.

Cody Woods
Thomas Investigative Publications, Inc.
National Association Of Investigative Specialists, Inc
Sptek Wholesale And SpyTek Authorized Dealer Network
Utrack, Inc.- Online GPS Tracking From The Net
The Spy Exchange & Security Center
Main Web Site: http://www.pimall.com/nais
Email:cwnaisbiz@aol.com
Phone: 512.719.3595
Fax: 512.719.3594
Showroom: 9513 Burnet Rd #101
Austin, TX 78758