thinking of buying myself a good digital camera

[Chris B]

Well with Christmas coming up and all, when i have been asked what I want, I usually say gift cards from tandy or Hidecrafters. But I am thinking of buying myself a good digital camera that I can use to take good pictures to put up on the web. What are some good brands and models? And what do you all use?

thanks,

Chris

[ClayB]

I use a Dimage Z6 from Konica Minolta. It's got a really good macro setting for close ups of leather work and a 12X optical zoom for when I am out looking at wildlife. It's supposed to have Anti Shake, but I am not convinced that works all that great because I can still take blurry pictures. I really like it for what I do. I am no professional photographer, but once in while I can get some pretty neat shots.

Before this one I had a Fuji Fine Pix 3800. I really liked it too, until the lens fell off it. I think my kids might have had something to do with that.

[CitizenKate]

I have a Sony Cybershot, which I've had now for about... <counting on fingers...> 5 years. I chose it for its optics and its macro feature, and was not disappointed. If you are planning to use it to photograph your leather work, and especially if you plan to sell your work online, a macro feature is a must.

Kate

[bruce johnson]

Chris,

I had one of the smaller boxy digitals, 3 mb or close to that, and small lens with 3X zoom and the optical zoom on top of that. Pretty mediocre leather pics, but OK for general use. A couple years ago my wife got a Canon Powershot S2. Nice camera, has the macro, better optical zoom, and something like 5 mb (?). It is much handier that the small one, better lens, much better pics, especially closeups. They say you don't need all those mb for web-sized pics. I say that you do, because the smaller mb cameras also have crappier lenses and less features. You can always downsize the picture later for web posting. Last week my wife (the photo person of the family) hit some hot deal on a Canon 40D digital SLR, so I have now officially inherited the S2.

I also made up the PVC frame/shower curtain photo booth that I think Kate showed. Worth the $21.47 I have in it.

[bcurrier]

I think the Sony Powershot A-series are the best bang for the buck cameras on the market.

If you want reliable reviews, look to www.dpreview.com. It has very detailed and very technical reviews on most digital cameras on the market. Results are measured, not guessed at.

Were I in the market for a new point-and-shoot, it would be a Sony A640 or A710 IS (image stabilized).

Bill

[Chris B]

Wow thanks guys. hopefully I will have one this weekend. About how many mega bites and mega pixels should I look for? And with this macro image stuff, does it have some sort of measurement to look for or what? Again, thanks alot. Bruce do you think that you could post some pictures of that frame that you made? Or is it just a rectangle and you put a light behind it?

Thanks,

Chris

[gtwister09]

Chris,

My suggestion is to look at these sites. I have kept some of them in my bookmarks because this question comes up with many people in the past.

They will educate and also help with the selection based on your criteria. They have compare functions of the specifications as well as image comparison. A visual try before you buy...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3222

http://www.testfreaks.com/digital-cameras/

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/

Regards,

Ben

[bcurrier]

Trust me on this one - the number of pixels doesn't matter nearly as much as the quality of the lenses and the quality of the conversion software inside the camera (the software converts the raw capture information into a JPEG). There are pro cameras that shoot fewer pixels than many consumer cameras that get far better results. Anything *really good quality* in a consumer camera from 6 megapixels up will be just fine. Buy the BEST camera for your budget and don't worry about the pixel count. Don't be fooled by the pixel pushers - it's only one factor among many, including chip type, sensitivity, pixel pattern, pixel size, and several more besides.

Macro capability is the ability to focus very close, as in just a few inches. Very valuable in shooting craft work to show details. Good advice from the previous responder!

[bruce johnson]

Chris,

I think Kate has a picture somewhere, but I sure can't find it. The photobooth thing is a box framework of pvc pipe and connectors. I glued some joints, and left others loose, so It is not a total pain to put together, but will store flat. I cover it with a clearish white shower curtain. My light sources are some clip on floodlights that I clamp onto the frame and use directly or diffused through the shower curtain (read - fire danger if left on and forgotten). With this light I don't need flash. For the prop, i take a box and toss a bath towel over it. I lean whatever project I have against that. I also either really stabilize my elbows on the table, or use a small tripod.

Art used to make fun of my techniques and background choices on another list, so I am movin' on up. Besides a sewing machine guy, Art is pretty sharp on this camera stuff too. I am attaching a couple pics of two using the booth, and one of the "old way". I am now playing with different background colors, and light angles.

[CitizenKate]

Here are the photos of my softbox, along with a light stand, both which I built with PVC pipe... The "diffuser" is a vinyl shower curtain.

I use a long sheet of felt for my backdrop. A lint roller is very handy for getting lint off.

Kate

PS: Bruce, love the salt & pepper set!

Edited November 27, 2007 by CitizenKate

[Chris B]

Thanks again guys. I have look at those websites and thank you Ben. But I was looking and saw the macro focus range. And I am guessing that the higher the number the better? http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/camera...0e&id=32951 I see this one has a 1 to 55 cm range, thats the one i have found through the sites advisor to help me find a camera that is right for me. And I have looked around again, and compared these two what do you all think?? http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/camera...tedCheckboxes=4

Thanks Alot,

Chris

Edited November 27, 2007 by welder5724

[freak]

Sorry for the highjacking, i'll make it fast. Kate how big is your box ? and what watt are your lights ?

[CitizenKate]

The box is 40"x40"x40". (I needed something big enough to hold my large game boards.) Two of the lamps (top and right) have 100W daylight bulbs, and the one on the left side has a 40W daylight bulb.

Kate

[HorsehairBraider]

I'll weigh in and say I like the Canon cameras. I have the Canon Powershot S5 and really like it. So the camera in your first link will probably be a good one too. The second poster mentioned the Dimage cameras - I had one of those and really liked that one! It took most of the pics on my site. I'll be updating the site from time to time with new photos but the old ones are great too.

One of the things I like about Canon (and the Dimage) is that it is powered by AA batteries, which are readily available, and not by a special battery. Get rechargeable batteries, and if they run out of juice you can always pop some AA batteries in there while waiting for them to charge.

The one you've linked is a little on the simple side for me, I like being able to control the ISO and to bracket shots and so on. But I'll be the first to admit my camera was hard to learn how to run!

The S5 has the image stabilizer and the macro and a "super" macro, plus a 12X optical zoom. It takes GREAT close-ups - you can count the hairs on some of these pictures.

For reviews, I like http://www.steves-digicams.com/ and if you go to his "Best Cameras" you can find some good ones, grouped according to price.

[Michael Sheldon]

I use a Pentax *istD digital SLR. I can't stand the limitations of point and shoot cameras. But then, I've used film SLR cameras for many years, and still use my Pentax SF1 on occasion.

For shooting the leatherwork, I use a Sigma 17-70mm macro on the *istD. Actually, I use that lens for almost everything

[Art]

Hi Everyone,

Since someone asked what to buy, I give you my thoughts.

For the "I've never seen a camera before and want to shoot great pictures" crowd, Sony's line of digital consumer cameras is just the ticket, I have two of these for my wife and they allow her to take great pictures.

Back in the film world, I used Nikon and Hasselblad, both great cameras, still have them and film for them.....somewhere. Daughter's art schools (she teaches now) still require film but the digital to film services are so good now that I don't think we have used those things in years.

For semi-pro or "prosumer" work it is hard to beat the Canon line. Get an SLR if you can afford it or at the very least something with a viewfinder of sorts. I have a 10D and a 5D which are great choices, but not totally necessary unless shooting with strobes. Strobes require synchronization and the ability to defeat everything automatic about lighting in a camera. I don't like the "pro" cameras because you have to give up the little built in flash which I find really handy at times.

Because of my film background I shoot with strobes, sometimes as many as five when using a cube, but with digital, this is no longer necessary unless you really need the hard light you can get from them direct. If you want to go there, Alien Bees (Paul Buff's economy line) makes good lights at reasonable prices.

Nowadays, we can color and white balance both on and off camera. The software that Canon uses is excellent for point and shoot work and almost everything coming out of the camera is really well balanced. If you need to make changes, photoshop will allow you to correct most problems. What does this mean? Simply, you can use anything from flashlight to diode to fluorescent to thermonuclear lighting to accomplish the lighting task and let the camera or computer figure it out. There is one caveat, make sure all lighting is the same; we call it temperature in the lighting world and you really need all your bulbs to have the same or relatively close light temps (this is NOT how hot they are) to allow the camera or computer to correct for it. For the kind of work we do, get bulbs the same wattage, same manufacturer, from the same store at the same time, and new. If you can find fluorescents (even the compact ones) make sure they have the color temp on them because they vary widely, from cold white to almost red. Don't buy them for lighting if they don't have the temp on them.

Lighting is ofttimes more important than the camera, but is mucho simple with the softcube. Except for the camera, you can make everything out of PVC pipe and shower curtains or white sunbrella and electrical stuff, clamp on lights and reflectors from Lowes or Home Depot. This isn't smoke and mirrors anymore (although they can be used to some effect), and with leather, we don't have to combat reflections from bad lighting angles as much as with other hard objects. Sometimes the softcube will provide a little too even lighting, try a little direct light from the front to give it a little sparkle. A hint of shadow also helps to give some depth. If you can't do the softcube thing, then white chinese lanterns with bulbs in them (called chinaballs in the trade) will give you the soft light you need.

Well, there you go, I went on too long again.

Art

[Don101]

I to use Canon Ixus 55 i think you call them powershots over there, the things i like is its small, with a metal case, easy to use and takes good pics and the price is ok too, Don

oh yea the clips it takes are not time limited and the quallity is not bad

Edited November 28, 2007 by Don101

[howardb]

Well with Christmas coming up and all, when i have been asked what I want, I usually say gift cards from tandy or Hidecrafters. But I am thinking of buying myself a good digital camera that I can use to take good pictures to put up on the web. What are some good brands and models? And what do you all use?

thanks,

Chris

Chris,

Good news, bad news.

The good news is, there are hundreds of GREAT digital cameras out there. Now the bad news. There are HUNDREDS of great digital cameras out there.

It's not hard, really. All of the suggestions so far are good suggestions. My advice:

If you are an experienced photographer and ready to go digital, do the research. You will know what ISO ranges, focal lengths, F-stops, etc. will mean. You will be able to find exactly what you want.

If you are a digital camera novice, and don't come from a photography background:

1. decide whether you want a big camera (SLR, or the kind with the interchangable lenses) or a more pocketable camera. Note that the SLR's are all going to be $1000 with a decent lens. Don't be fooled by lower prices. Canon makes a GREAT series of SLR's but to get them affordable they package them with a very crappy lens. A decent lens will cost as much as the camera body in any of the major brands; usually more. A nice pocket (or point-n-shoot) camera will run 200 or more.

2. Pick a price range. There will be a lot of choices in any price range.

3. Stay with a name brand! Canon, Sony, Nikon, Kodak... someone who understands photography and makes cameras. Avoid brands like panasonic or guys that make radios or TV's.

4. Go OUT to a big-box store like a best buy, circuit city, etc. Fondle them, touch them, see if you can intuitively figure out how to use it. Lots of really nice cameras have awkward controls. Even my Rebel XT drives me nuts and I sort of know what I'm doing with it.

My personal recommendation is to get big optical zoom (digital zooms aren't worthy). There are a handful of cameras with 10x to 12x zooms. I have a really nice older Kodak that I still love even with the XT around. The current Kodak offering isn't as nice, but there are others out there. I saw a nice pocket camera (Canon) that had a 6x zoom in the flat pocket style. But that's my preference and not a deal breaker for most folks.

Hope this helps cut through the fog.

Brent

[steveb]

wow - alot of good advice here....i have a little experience with digital photography..having owned a digital imaging (table top and on-figure photography as well as video/ motion and sound) company for quite some time in the very earliest days of the technology (1996) and learned that like most things that are tool related, the equipment has woefully little to do with the final result....all of this crap that follows is anecdotal and my own palaver based on my own experience - I am not preaching "the way"

Yes the fancy pants gadgetry helps, yes it is important to not use a toy camera to capture your work if you want it to appear professional - but exotica is not really necessary...again IMSHO

keep in mind I am a guy who loves his high hooha gadgets - watches, blades, tools and motorcycles are my weaknesses - do you need 2 watches - no - one will do, do you need a rack of exotic Beard stamps - no, Crafttool will do, we've seen some folks demonstrate that recently, but hey- do they make us feel good? yes!! so why shouldn't we indulge ourselves if we can!!

anyway - back to cameras and images.

you need a good camera, like a $3-400 dollar camera from a known and reputable mfg - Nikon for instance, you need decent and most importantly if your going to be shooting over time, keeping a record of your work - consistent lighting - this is key to not having to color correct all of your stuff to keep it consistent - which btw is tough to accomplish if your a rookie - which most of us are in this specific matter (i know i suck at color correcting work), you need a macro lens and if your shaky you need a tripod...so to satisfy these requirements - i keep it really simple - those things are hard enough to accomplish

i shoot with available light, because that is consistent and i dont have to set up things in the same way and have nothing to store... and i get up close to my work with the Macro, if my work were, say on par with Peter Mains work, that would be one hell of alot more satisfying, but in taking the photos, my intention is NOT to compete with the quality of my leatherwork (it aint there), rather it is to create a commercial record to use to sell more of my work, so I try and make it dramatic insofar as composition - don't be afraid to get up close to your work, fill the frame.

If my work were better I'd get closer, but I dare not...lol

anyway - enough blather from me - I've attached 3 photos - one of my fancy photo set with capable assistant Paco, being sure to "hair down the set"...the second photo of my logo on a belt is taken with a fancy backdrop - a dirty shop towel and the final shot is how I do it these days - on the tooling stone with no dressing at all...

lighting is fluorsecent - a mix of daylight and blue white spectrum bulbs - no flash, no incandescent lighting, no set, no nutting - just plain old composition to make a good digital photo.

it works for me - it is basic - if i needed a daylight rig, I'd build that, if i needed a fancy camera - I'd buy one - just haven't had the need to and have gotten alot of compliments from my customers on the photography on my site - and i value their opinions more than anyone elses, as they are paying me!! Bless them!!

YMMV, but don't be afraid to take chances with your digital camera after you learn how to use it and don't be afraid to get close!

steveb

[gunfighter48]

I bought a Canon S3IS online a couple of months ago for $240.00. It's a great camera, Image Stabilization, 12X zoom, macro mode, shutter and aperture modes as well as a half dozen other modes. The only thing I miss is a hot shoe. I started out with 35mm SLRs about 1974, then graduated to 2 1/4 X 2 1/4, and then back to 35mm. Was a weekend pro for about 10 years, wedding, model portfolios, model and real railroad photography. Sold all of my photo gear about 10 years ago and have just gotten back into photography. Digitals will do things we could only dream of 20 years ago! Stick with any of the big names, Sony, Nikon, Cannon, Pentax, Kodak and you will get a good camera.

BTW I found daylight compact spiral fluorescent lights, balanced at 6500K (daylight balanced) at Home Deport and Lowe's for around $7.00 per bulb. Makes using a soft box simple and you can do the white balance with them to ensure the correct color for you pictures. I've got to get some pvc pipe and make a soft box so I can photograph my belts and other leather products.

[Chris B]

Wow again thank everybody, you all are knowledgeable about lots of stuff.. Anywho I have talked with a couple of guys at the plant where my day job is, and they have recommended the Fujifilm S700. And from what I have seen over at Fuji Film S700 Review And it seems like a good one, and yes I have checked out other models. But what do you all think of this one? Circuit City has them on sale right now for 198 bucks. It doesnt seem all that bad for the money.

Thanks,

Chris

[HorsehairBraider]

Hey, I was wondering what you had decided so glad to see your post.

That looks like a pretty good starter camera. From the review, it may not be the very best camera in the world but it is a pretty darn good buy for the money, and most of the issues with this camera are probably not going to bother you anyway. For example you are only going to notice that purple fringing in extreme shots, and then only if you are really fastidious about your pictures. *Most* people just aren't going to notice that. This camera has an awful lot of really nice features that more than make up for any slight downside. I bet this one is going to do everything you want it to, and that you will get many years of service from it - and you really can't beat the price.

I found this link for you: http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=FJFPS700 where you can get it for about $182.00 with free shipping. I have bought from these people before and was very happy with their service. I bought my current camera from them and had it in 5 days. So if you can wait, you can save yourself a few dollars... maybe not a big deal but at this time of year, maybe it is.

I hope you post pictures that you take with it! I'd like to see them.

[Chris B]

Well i went out and bought that fuji over the weekend. And wow its a good camera for a good price. I got it for 191.99 at circuit city. I posted some pics one in the biker tatto forum and one in critque my work forum. It does pretty good.

Thanks Again,

Chris

[Johanna]

Nice tattoo, Chris!

For anyone else looking at this thread, this page from PCMag compares cameras.

Johanna

[TomSwede]

Congratulations to your new camera! I think that model will be a good aid in getting the most out of your pictures.

I didn't read all replies in the thread but many of them and I didn't see anyone mention the photographers best friend No.1 - the tripod.

An undisputible friend when taking pictures in poor lighting conditions and there are some cheap ones that will do just fine if your not going bushwacking with big telelenses.

Tommy