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)

Whoa. That would be the _maximum_ aperture on most digitals. Minimum would
be down around F/8 or F/16. That might be part of your problem.

no flash

Good close up work needs careful lighting--doesn't necessarily mean
_expensive_ lighting--when you're working down around the dimensions of a
quarter for example a good LED flashlight properly placed can be quite
adequate, and a little larger than that a halogen desk lamp or two can be
plenty--the big problem is holding them in position and positioning them so
the camera doesn't cast a shadow. The lighting does two things--by
positioning carefully you put shadows where you need them to show whatever
you're trying to show and with enough light you can use short exposures.

macro mode
manually adjust exposure
autofocus takes a long time, wait until macro focus lights

Does it have a manual focus setting? If so, then set the focus to give you
the field-size you need and then move the camera to get the focus and that
problem goes away.

shoot multiple images - bracket exposures

Always if circumstances permit.

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.

I've been using a Nikon Coolpix 990 for years--it's good for anything down
to about the size of a dime. Set for aperture-preferred and stop it down
to F/9, set for manual focus and set the focus to give me the field size I
need (with macro photography standard practice is to set the focus and then
move the camera instead of the other way around). With enough light and a
good brace I can get decent handheld shots, otherwise it needs a tripod and
either the remote release (wired and expensive, not infrared) or the self
timer. A while back I picked up a neat little Manfrotto clamp mount that
lets me position it just about anywhere I want that's very handy for
getting into odd places.

No longer being made, but you can find them for around $250.

Thanks!

GWE

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)