"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
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!

GWE

Hi Grant.
In another thread I posted a link to a series of shots I took on some lathe
and mill work:
http://faxmentis.org/html/tripod.html

These were all taken with a Pentax Optio S50, (5Mp), which is in your
ballpark for price.
Most were flash, some were not.
Most in macro mode.
Auto exposure - and very satisfactory at that.
Your points on autofocus noted, and agreed.
Ditto the multiple shots

I reckon the results are pretty passable.
I have all the SLR stuff, but choose to use this little Pentax in the
workshop.
I can hold it with one hand, while I feed the tool with the other.
The flash works remarkably well at 12-24" range.

This isn't a "Pentax rocks" post - I use many brands (loved the Mavica, but
time marches on), but this little point&shoot is a beauty. The S50 has been
superceded by a 6Mp model, which I believe is similar in price.

HTH

--
Jeff R.