On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 09:24:16 -0800, Grant Erwin
wrote:
I often want to shoot a picture of some detail just to post it as an adjunct to
a discussion, as "a picture is worth a thousand words". I have terrible trouble
shooting closeups with digital cameras. I have finally found the method that
yields the best results:
use minimum aperture for max depth of field (f2.8)
no flash
macro mode
manually adjust exposure
autofocus takes a long time, wait until macro focus lights
shoot multiple images - bracket exposures
use LCD display to adjust exposure, focus
but it's still pretty miserable. I want to know if there exist any digital
cameras in the under $200 price range which can actually shoot closeups. I don't
care about much else, as the cameras we have now can handle other jobs.
I'm looking for precise model suggestions from actual owners, NOT general
suggestions like "nikon rocks" or "have you tried sony" or "google on reviews".
There are about a trillion review sites but it's a whole boatload of work to
sort through them all and I'm hoping one of you has a camera, knows what I'm
talking about, likes their camera, knows it's still currently available, and is
willing to post the exact model number.
Thanks!
I'm using a Kodak Easyshare DX6490 currently. It does a good job.
It's a older model now. The new ones have even more pixels which is a
waste for posted photos IMHO. I have to shrink my images in half to
get a pic that's decently viewable in a web browser. The main reason I
bought it was for the 10x optical zoom which based on my old cameras
performance was absolutely essential for a all around camera. The nice
thing was that it came with all the manual modes allowing full control
when needed. I take some pretty good macros with it and I don't even
have to be close with that much zoom available (like 24" away and
still fill the screen with a 3" object).
Looking on ebay it seems that they're going for $225-250 range new
and less used. Slightly over your budget but well worth it IMHO.
As others have stated the real key is a tripod and use external
light (no flash) for macros.
Wayne Cook
Shamrock, TX
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm