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which digital camera for best close up shots?

updated sun 28 jan 01

 

Cindy Strnad on fri 26 jan 01


Hello, CNC.

I recommend you do a search on the web for "digital camera reviews". You'll
find loads of good stuff that way, and some sites which even show comparable
shots by differing cameras. I wish I could give the URL's to make it easier,
but I didn't save them.

I know I came to the conclusion that Olympus was best for my price range,
and I've been very satisfied with it. If you want to do jewelry-sized shots,
you'll want a more expensive camera than I bought. Even so, I think you
couldn't go wrong with either Olympus or Nikon.

Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com

Larry Phillips on fri 26 jan 01


Carolyn Nygren Curran wrote:

> Right now I'm leaning towards an Olympus 3000, but one of the
> clerks at the camera store said the comparable Nikon (I didn't see
> it and don't know the model number) has a slight edge over the
> Olympus as far as close ups. Thanks to all who've written on this
> subject in the past and those who may reply to this new posting.

The two main things to consider are:

1. How close can you get?
Don't worry too much about this one, as you can always use low cost
closeup lenses. I use a couple of cheap ones that fit into a filter
holder, though I don't ever bother with the holder. I just hold the
lenses up in front of the camera's lens, and fire away. Pro
photographers will cringe, but I have taken shots that elicit gasps of
surprise and pleasure that way.

2. Ease of focusing.
This is the biggie.

If the camera will do a good job of auto-focusing in macro mode (with
or without the closeup addons), and in low light conditions, then that's
the way to go. If you need to go to manual focus, consider the
following:

An LCD screen used as a viewfinder is just barely adequate as a
focusing tool. It doesn't have the resolution to show you the true
focus. Yes, after a while, you get a little better at guessing where the
'sweet spot' is, by interpolating between the points at which the focus
is way off, but more often than not, it will disappoint you.

The best way to focus manually is through the lens. Best way is to
try it.

I own an Olympus (D-500L) that is bloody awful for autofocus in low
light, and has no manual focus at all. I use (at work) a Nikon 850,
which is fairly good at low-light focus, has manual focus, but has only
an LCD screen for a viewfinder. I would consider neither of these
suitable for you.

Have a good look at both of them with the above in mind. Don't forget
Olympus' other models with through the lens focusing (SLR).

--
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

http://cr347197-a.surrey1.bc.wave.home.com/larry/

Carolyn Nygren Curran on fri 26 jan 01


I'm currently investigating digital cameras and hope to purchase one =
before Feb.6 so I can learn the ins and outs while on an early Feb. =
trip. I've been going over the archives but have not yet found any =
details on close up shots. Since I do a fair amount of small scale =
work, I want something which will focus well on a pot 1" high and give =
a photo which will fill the frame. Any suggestions? Right now I'm =
leaning towards an Olympus 3000, but one of the clerks at the camera =
store said the comparable Nikon (I didn't see it and don't know the =
model number) has a slight edge over the Olympus as far as close ups. =
Thanks to all who've written on this subject in the past and those who =
may reply to this new posting.=20
Cheers, CNC

Gerald & Phyllis Durbin on sat 27 jan 01


Carolyn,
We just purchased a Nikon 990, We will be going on vacation this coming week. Hope to get some good pictures. We will let you know how this camera works for us , and it may help you in your purchase. My husband is an artist, and uses a lot of his photo's for his painting. We have 2 other Nikon's that we are very happy with, this is why we chose the digital 990.

Carolyn Nygren Curran wrote:

> I'm currently investigating digital cameras and hope to purchase one before Feb.6 so I can learn the ins and outs while on an early Feb. trip. I've been going over the archives but have not yet found any details on close up shots. Since I do a fair amount of small scale work, I want something which will focus well on a pot 1" high and give a photo which will fill the frame. Any suggestions? Right now I'm leaning towards an Olympus 3000, but one of the clerks at the camera store said the comparable Nikon (I didn't see it and don't know the model number) has a slight edge over the Olympus as far as close ups. Thanks to all who've written on this subject in the past and those who may reply to this new posting.
> Cheers, CNC
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
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BILLY MANGHAM on sat 27 jan 01


I USE AN EPSON 550, THE BOTTOM OF THE LINE EPSON WHICH
NOW COSTS ONLY $200. IT WILL FOCUS TO 4.5". THE
IMAGES ON MY SITE WWW.ZZZDOG.COM WERE TAKEN WITH THIS
CAMERA. IT'S ALSO VERY STRONG AND DURABLE AND WITH
SMARTMEDIA CHIPS ABLE TO HOLE 150 MED. RESOLUTION
PICTURES.
--- Carolyn Nygren Curran
wrote:
> I'm currently investigating digital cameras and hope
> to purchase one before Feb.6 so I can learn the ins
> and outs while on an early Feb. trip. I've been
> going over the archives but have not yet found any
> details on close up shots. Since I do a fair amount
> of small scale work, I want something which will
> focus well on a pot 1" high and give a photo which
> will fill the frame. Any suggestions? Right now
> I'm leaning towards an Olympus 3000, but one of the
> clerks at the camera store said the comparable Nikon
> (I didn't see it and don't know the model number)
> has a slight edge over the Olympus as far as close
> ups. Thanks to all who've written on this subject
> in the past and those who may reply to this new
> posting.
> Cheers, CNC
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change
> your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
> reached at melpots@pclink.com.


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Cindy Gatto on sat 27 jan 01


Dear CNC:
I purchased a KodacDC280 Zoom Digital camera and it is phenominal. It has a
terrific zoom lens for getting in tight and loads of features for just about
any photographing situation. I have been an avid 35 mm shooter and with this
camera the transition to digital has been a pleasant one. This particular
camera is a little pricey but as I said it is worth it's weight in gold.
Nothing but satisfaction from it the pictures are great and with a regular
inkjet printer and inkjet glossy photo paper the printing is also
surprisingly fantastic. Like I said a regular inkjet printer no special
printer to add to the expense which could break the bank alone.
Good Luck;
Mark Petrin
The Mudpit
228 Manhattan
Ave.
Brooklyn NY
11206

Phone#--718-218-9424

E-Mail-Mudpitnyc@aol.com

www.Mudpitnyc.com

John Kremer on sat 27 jan 01


Hi, Carolyn!

I guess I am in the same boat as you. I have been looking for the ultimate
digital camera for the last few months and have narrowed it down to three
cameras; Canon PowerShot G1, Nikon CoolPix 990, Sony DSC-F505V (...make sure
it has the "V"). I based my choices on the reviews found at the URL's
following this letter. These cameras will give you excellent images and the
most bang for your buck while staying out of the Thousands of $$$ range. Of
the three, by all accounts, the Nikon 990 has the best macro capabilities,
being able to get as close as 0.8" to the subject with stunning results. As
is the case in all of life, there are no perfect cameras, but new models
and, more importantly, model revisions come out in the spring. So if you
can wait put off your purchase till late April or May. Maybe Nikon will
hear some of our cries and include a better battery, battery charger, case
and a more up-to-date memory card.

Anyhooooo, you're on your own. Check out the camera reviews at:

http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.html

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

http://www.consumersearch.com/xp6/ConsumerSearch/product_group/all_reviews.x
ml?Product_Group=Digital_Cameras

http://www.imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM01.HTM (This last one is neet,
because you can compare images taken from most cameras...check out "Image
Comparison" and "The Amazing Comparometer!)

Good Hunting!

John Kremer......In the Heartland...

Larry Phillips on sat 27 jan 01


John Kremer wrote:

> Maybe Nikon will hear some of our cries and include a better
> battery, battery charger, case and a more up-to-date memory card.

If you are using the same type of battery that came with your Nikon
(alkaline, right?), you should immediately obtain two set of NiMH
(Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries and a charger. They will last WAY
longer; I repeat, WAY longer, before requiring a recharge.

--
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

http://cr347197-a.surrey1.bc.wave.home.com/larry/