Digital camera suggestions for picture clarity

[10068]

Looking for camera for amateur photography. Macro photos (close-ups) is a definite plus, those are cool. I like the kind where you can see all the grains of detail in every object's texture. mmmm tasty texture.

Have no idea what to get here, any suggestions welcomed.

peace

 

[lini]

What exactly do you have in mind? Price range? Ok, let me have a wild guess and recommend something like this:

No? Well, then maybe something more conventional - what about a fairly priced, easy-to-use mostly point&click style thingy like the Kodak I usually carry around in my backpack: http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQueri...q-locale=en_US ?

Then again, if you mean serious amateur photography, a digital slr cam like that Canon would be a viable solution: http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=11154

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[XxATOLxX]

I recommend a Canon EOS Digital SLR camera. I borrowed my uncle's DSLR and took some shots. Of course, if I changed the settings a little, it might have been better, but this was the first time I used a DSLR in my whole life and dont have much experience with them.

 

[perplex]

Nikon D70 is supposed to be excellent

 

[dj_mocok]

For a beginner, camera like mine (FZ20) is very good and can do the job well enough already.

Don't go to DSLR unless you are really confident and you sure that you wanna further pursue this photography thing (getting serious about it).

If just for casuals stuff, an FZ20 + some basic Photoshopping skills can give you excellent result.

I was thinking to upgrade to D70 but thanks to you guys, the money went into new headphones instead....damn head-fi....

 

[S_Dedalus]

If you really want to get into macro photography, you'll need an SLR, there is nothing in the consumer or prosumer market that can compare to a good nikon or canon macro lens.

 

[3lusiv3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok For a beginner, camera like mine (FZ20) is very good and can do the job well enough already.

I've been impressed with the photos from your Panasonic camera. They seem very sharp, even for macro use.

 

[dj_mocok]

3lusiv3: Thanks. Although I must admit that I 'cheated' by using some sharpening tools though...

 

[10068]

Do some of those cameras (like the SLR ones) that excel at Macro, also excel at scenery shots? Cause I do a lot of those, too. Clouds, cityscapes, etc.

cheers

 

[S_Dedalus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sduibek Do some of those cameras (like the SLR ones) that excel at Macro, also excel at scenery shots? Cause I do a lot of those, too. Clouds, cityscapes, etc. cheers

With SLR's you choose lenses that will work best for the way you will use the camera. If you want the best quality, there are fixed focal length lenses for almost any situation, but there are also really good zoom lenses. The problem with fixed lens cameras is that they typically have only poor to average quality lenses in order to lower cost.

 

[dj_mocok]

I think the good thing about some prosumers is the versatility. With DSLR, that means you have to have a few lens (at least 2) in order to cover the whole work, eg. macro, scenery...

I did a few shots of buildings, clouds, but most of my shots (well at least the "more serious" ones, not snap shots) are macros, but I also got a few scenery.

You really can't go wrong with a nice prosumer camera, considering the price is so much less than DSLR and minus the hassle of dust and heavy equipments...

But anyway, I have nothing against DSLR here, I admit that they are a much much better camera compared to prosumer, provided you have the skills.

If one is still learning, I think there is nothing wrong in starting with prosumer first, and then once they are more confident (and not bored with the hobby yet

), then they can go DSLR.

And considering the price of camera keeps decreasing along with better technology, I say just get prosumer and get the DSLR in the future. Hopefully by then, the price is even better than today's.

 

[MrSlacker]

check out Canon S2 IS. it has some sick Micro modes and great zoom. check out dpreview.com forums for more info because it just came out and there are no reviews yet.

 

[dj_mocok]

If I were to get Canon Prosumer, I'd get the Canon G-series, eg. G6. (provided that you can live without long zoom)

 

[10068]

when would longzoom be used?

 

[Edwood]

If it's macro you want, you can't go wrong with the Pentax Optio MX4. It has a Super Macro mode that focuses right down to the lens itself. But it's only above average with other focal lengths.
It is also a decent video cam.

If you want to go with a DSLR, keep in mind that the kit lens included with any is not exactly what I'd call a macro lens. They only can get as close as about a foot or so +/- a few inches.

A real macro lens costs more than the camera I mentioned above.

If you are seriously considering macro lenses, look into 50mm and 100mm macro lenses. The latter being a telephoto one, where you can be further away from the subject, which is handy for photographing insects, or where you use lighting, and you don't want a shadow cast on the subject from the camera.

-Ed