The rule of thumb of distance = 2 x short side can be apply to documents other the 8x5x11" size, such page of books. Etc.

Copy book page

For copying books, you need to know the dimension of page. Books published in some country has book dimension infomation printed inside the book. Otherwise, you need to measure it-- and you have a small rule at hand,

the Minox camera itself. For example a Minox B is 4", TLX 4 1/4 etc. You can use it to measure the short side of book page then multiply this number by to to set the focusing dial. For example I have a book cover with short end measuring one and half of Minox B, that is 6 inch, I frame the book cover tight in the viewfinder set the focusing dial to 1'.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2000