On 2012-12-07, Falstaff wrote:

Answering only in rec.crafts.metalworking -- I'm not sure that it
belongs in either newsgroup (other than the subject matter), but
certainly not in *both*.

You're in my killfile, so I did not see the original question,
and will likely not see your replies either, unless someone quotes you
as they did here.

On 12/06/2012 06:14 PM, jon_banquer wrote:
Main purpose for camera will be to take pictures of machinists tools
and storage boxes that I have for sale. What do I need to spend for a
quality camera with good zoom capabilities? I'm not a photographer and
have no desire to be one. I'd like something that is easy and
reliable.

A question occurs. Does this include shots of the tools in
individual drawers? If so, a lens with good macro capability is called
for.

My preference (well out of the price range you are probably
looking at) is currently the Nikon D300s (actually, one without the 's'
suffix would suffice for what you want). For the lens -- skip the ones
which are often sold with that body, and go for the 28-105mm zoom (f:3.5
to f:4.5 depending on where in the zoom range you are). It has a switch
which allows you to go to a good macro mode, and the zoom range is
plenty for most things unless you are caught against a wall and can't
back away far enough for a larger tool). But it is going to add up to
well over $1000.00.

If you look at the somewhat lower priced ones in the two-digit
series (I had a D70 which I liked and which is now obsolete) -- be
careful to look at what lenses it will work with. Some of them may not
work with the lens I suggested.

That lens is the one I carry on my camera most of the time, and
in the macro mode it can take good shots a bit larger than your
thumbnail.

About $80 at the low end.

My old Nikon Coolpix L18 has been good, so I just got the
same-but-updated L26 model for a friend.

http://www.staples.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-L26-Digital-Camera-Red/product_464358&cmArea=CIRCULAR

Uses common AA batteries, a plus for me. Doesn't come with
rechargeables, or a memory card, though. So there's a few more bucks to
spend.

The D70, the D300s, and others in those series use a special
Li-Ion battery which has a good charge life (and because it uses a true
eye-level viewfinder instead of using the display as a viewfinder, it
does not pull the battery down nearly as fast. Also, not that it
matters for your stated needs, you get quick response to a shutter
press, unlike the ones which use the display as a viewfinder, because
they need to jump through more hoops to do it properly.

Granted, I've been using interchangeable lens SLRs (film, and then
digital) since about 1964, and I like the way they feel.

Enjoy,
DoN.

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