Hand-operated reading camera system

Embodiments of a video magnification camera system are shown and described, which include a platform which supports a camera unit and guides the camera unit during hand-operated movement of the camera iamit across or down a page of a text or across or down another object. The platform may comprise a guide plate with support and guide surfaces generally in a rectangular configuration, which supports a frame holding a video magnification camera focusing on the text or object on which the platform is placed. A central opening in the guide plate allows the camera to view the text or object, as the camera unit is slid laterally across the guide plate for viewing of the entire area of the text or object within the central opening. More than one guide plate or spacers may be stacked or otherwise attached to elevate the camera unit higher above the viewed text or object. Additionally, the camera unit preferably includes a fine-adjustment feature, which preferably comprises the threaded camera enclosure which engages the frame by a screw mount, and is thereby adapted to be raised and lowered in the camera frame by a screwing-action control.