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Hi Everyone,
I am posting to these various topics because I have seen many
examples of digital photos and I wanted to know what kinds of digital
cameras you all use and/or recommend. I am interested in buying a
camera sometime in the near future, so I'm doing research. Since I plan
to take lots of pics of my LEGO creations, I thought this would be a good
place to ask. :^)
My main concern is the ability of the camera to take close-ups. Many
digicams can't focus any closer than about 3 feet away, which obviously
isn't good enough for LEGO photos.
I'd really prefer not to go above $250-300 for the camera. I also want to
get one that has USB connection or a Flash Card.
Thanks for your suggestions.
~Mark
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Hi
I use an Agfa ePhoto 1280, which is a bit dated now and has been
discontinued, so it has been heavily reduced in price, so if you want one
you should be able to find it within your price range at discount stores. It
has many 'professional' features and I don't think you'll find many better
cameras within the price range. It has a good macro mode, a 3x optical zoom
and a threaded bezel so you can attach closeup / magnifier lenses to it
also.
You can see a few of the Lego pictures I've taken with it at
www.freshfroot.freeserve.co.uk/lego_closeups.htm
--
Colin
numbersix@freshfroot.freeserve.co.uk
ICQ 25808282
Mark Sandlin <sandlin@nwlink.com> wrote in message
news:Fuy8xy.Gw7@lugnet.com...
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I am posting to these various topics because I have seen many
> examples of digital photos and I wanted to know what kinds of digital
> cameras you all use and/or recommend. I am interested in buying a
> camera sometime in the near future, so I'm doing research. Since I plan
> to take lots of pics of my LEGO creations, I thought this would be a good
> place to ask. :^)
>
> My main concern is the ability of the camera to take close-ups. Many
> digicams can't focus any closer than about 3 feet away, which obviously
> isn't good enough for LEGO photos.
>
> I'd really prefer not to go above $250-300 for the camera. I also want to
> get one that has USB connection or a Flash Card.
>
> Thanks for your suggestions.
>
> ~Mark
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My goodness, that is very nice quality. I thought it amusing that you can
see the tip of Darth's lightsaber blurring as if someone bumped the
table.
Thanks,
~Mark
In lugnet.space, Colin Bell writes:
> Hi
>
> I use an Agfa ePhoto 1280, which is a bit dated now and has been
> discontinued, so it has been heavily reduced in price, so if you want one
> you should be able to find it within your price range at discount stores. It
> has many 'professional' features and I don't think you'll find many better
> cameras within the price range. It has a good macro mode, a 3x optical • zoom
> and a threaded bezel so you can attach closeup / magnifier lenses to it
> also.
>
> You can see a few of the Lego pictures I've taken with it at
> www.freshfroot.freeserve.co.uk/lego_closeups.htm
>
> --
> Colin
> numbersix@freshfroot.freeserve.co.uk
> ICQ 25808282
>
>
> Mark Sandlin <sandlin@nwlink.com> wrote in message
> news:Fuy8xy.Gw7@lugnet.com...
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I am posting to these various topics because I have seen many
> > examples of digital photos and I wanted to know what kinds of digital
> > cameras you all use and/or recommend. I am interested in buying a
> > camera sometime in the near future, so I'm doing research. Since I • plan
> > to take lots of pics of my LEGO creations, I thought this would be a • good
> > place to ask. :^)
> >
> > My main concern is the ability of the camera to take close-ups. Many
> > digicams can't focus any closer than about 3 feet away, which • obviously
> > isn't good enough for LEGO photos.
> >
> > I'd really prefer not to go above $250-300 for the camera. I also want to
> > get one that has USB connection or a Flash Card.
> >
> > Thanks for your suggestions.
> >
> > ~Mark
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Hi Mark,
You'll probabloy have more luck posting this to lugnet.publish, which is where
I set follow-ups to. Cross-posting to many groups can get slightly annoying
when the posts are off-topic to the group - nothing personal! People who
read .publish are more likly to be interested in digicams than people who only
read .castle, etc.
HTH,
-Shiri
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You may get many specific camera recommendations from users here, but if you
don't mind doing some research, here's what I suggest:
Go to ActiveBuyersGuide.com:
http://www6.activebuyersguide.com/abg/nav/StartGuide.cfm?CatID=2&PID=0X6X1X2
5769X25c20&RefID=0
They have a wonderful wizard that will allow you to put in needed features
(price range, macro functions, etc.), and it will end up generating a list
of cameras with complete specs that fall within your needs.
Then head over to PCPhotoReview.com, look up the cameras you're interested
in, and see how their contributors rate the cameras. This worked extremely
well for me.
--
Paul Davidson
Mark Sandlin <sandlin@nwlink.com> wrote in message
news:Fuy8xy.Gw7@lugnet.com...
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I am posting to these various topics because I have seen many
> examples of digital photos and I wanted to know what kinds of digital
> cameras you all use and/or recommend. I am interested in buying a
> camera sometime in the near future, so I'm doing research. Since I plan
> to take lots of pics of my LEGO creations, I thought this would be a good
> place to ask. :^)
>
> My main concern is the ability of the camera to take close-ups. Many
> digicams can't focus any closer than about 3 feet away, which obviously
> isn't good enough for LEGO photos.
>
> I'd really prefer not to go above $250-300 for the camera. I also want to
> get one that has USB connection or a Flash Card.
>
> Thanks for your suggestions.
>
> ~Mark
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Unfortunately, there is no option for "takes good closeups."
Many (usually cheaper) digital cameras cannot focus any closer than
about 2.5-3 feet.
I went through the options and it recommended a whole bunch of
bargain-basement cameras, but I'll bet you $100.00 that none of them
take good closeup shots... a la the Sony Mavica I used on my last post to
my website.
Thanks anyway,
~Mark
In lugnet.space, Paul Davidson writes:
> You may get many specific camera recommendations from users here, • but if you
> don't mind doing some research, here's what I suggest:
>
> Go to ActiveBuyersGuide.com:
> http://www6.activebuyersguide.com/abg/nav/StartGuide.cfm?CatID=2&P • ID=0X6X1X2
> 5769X25c20&RefID=0
>
> They have a wonderful wizard that will allow you to put in needed • features
> (price range, macro functions, etc.), and it will end up generating a list
> of cameras with complete specs that fall within your needs.
>
> Then head over to PCPhotoReview.com, look up the cameras you're • interested
> in, and see how their contributors rate the cameras. This worked • extremely
> well for me.
>
> --
>
>
> Paul Davidson
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In lugnet.space, Mark Sandlin writes:
> I went through the options and it recommended a whole bunch of
> bargain-basement cameras, but I'll bet you $100.00 that none of them
> take good closeup shots... a la the Sony Mavica I used on my last post to
> my website.
Can I get in on that bet?
My Kodak DC215 (a fairly cheap camera, obtainable now for under $250) has a
macro mode that lets you focus as close as 8". The regular focus mode (fixed
focus) is no slouch either, working from about half a meter to infinity. My
biggest complaint about this camera is that the Infinity focus is pretty soft,
but since I bought it for snapshots, models and selling on ebay, I have no
complaints.
Will
P.S. Check out images I have taken with the DC215 at:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=wsmiddel
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In lugnet.space, Will Middelaer writes:
> In lugnet.space, Mark Sandlin writes:
>
>
> > I went through the options and it recommended a whole bunch of
> > bargain-basement cameras, but I'll bet you $100.00 that none of them
> > take good closeup shots... a la the Sony Mavica I used on my last post to
> > my website.
>
> Can I get in on that bet?
>
> My Kodak DC215 (a fairly cheap camera, obtainable now for under $250) has a
> macro mode that lets you focus as close as 8". The regular focus mode (fixed
> focus) is no slouch either, working from about half a meter to infinity. My
> biggest complaint about this camera is that the Infinity focus is pretty soft,
> but since I bought it for snapshots, models and selling on ebay, I have no
> complaints.
>
> Will
>
> P.S. Check out images I have taken with the DC215 at:
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=wsmiddel
(Ooops, I his post by accident)
Especially see
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3609
and
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3706
for some of the better close up work I have done with this camera.
Will
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Aw, heck. I got that decimal in the wrong place again.
I'll send you your $.01 soon. ;^)
Thanks for the pics.
~Mark
In lugnet.space, Will Middelaer writes:
> In lugnet.space, Will Middelaer writes:
> > In lugnet.space, Mark Sandlin writes:
> >
> >
> > > I went through the options and it recommended a whole bunch of
> > > bargain-basement cameras, but I'll bet you $100.00 that none of • them
> > > take good closeup shots... a la the Sony Mavica I used on my last • post to
> > > my website.
> >
> > Can I get in on that bet?
> >
> > My Kodak DC215 (a fairly cheap camera, obtainable now for under • $250) has a
> > macro mode that lets you focus as close as 8". The regular focus • mode (fixed
> > focus) is no slouch either, working from about half a meter to infinity. • My
> > biggest complaint about this camera is that the Infinity focus is pretty • soft,
> > but since I bought it for snapshots, models and selling on ebay, I have • no
> > complaints.
> >
> > Will
> >
> > P.S. Check out images I have taken with the DC215 at:
> > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=wsmiddel
>
> (Ooops, I his post by accident)
>
> Especially see
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3609
>
> and
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3706
>
> for some of the better close up work I have done with this camera.
>
> Will
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Mark Sandlin <sandlin@nwlink.com> wrote in message
news:Fv32HI.2H1@lugnet.com...
> Unfortunately, there is no option for "takes good closeups."
Au contrare, all the good cameras have "macro" features (listed in the
Buyer's Guide). They tend to be in the more expensive price tier, though
($500 US and up).
> Many (usually cheaper) digital cameras cannot focus any closer than
> about 2.5-3 feet.
>
> I went through the options and it recommended a whole bunch of
> bargain-basement cameras, but I'll bet you $100.00 that none of them
> take good closeup shots... a la the Sony Mavica I used on my last post to
> my website.
>
> Thanks anyway,
>
> ~Mark
>
>
> In lugnet.space, Paul Davidson writes:
> > You may get many specific camera recommendations from users here, • but if you
> > don't mind doing some research, here's what I suggest:
> >
> > Go to ActiveBuyersGuide.com:
> > http://www6.activebuyersguide.com/abg/nav/StartGuide.cfm?CatID=2&P • ID=0X6X1X2
> > 5769X25c20&RefID=0
> >
> > They have a wonderful wizard that will allow you to put in needed • features
> > (price range, macro functions, etc.), and it will end up generating a • list
> > of cameras with complete specs that fall within your needs.
> >
> > Then head over to PCPhotoReview.com, look up the cameras you're • interested
> > in, and see how their contributors rate the cameras. This worked • extremely
> > well for me.
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> > Paul Davidson
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In lugnet.space, Paul Baulch writes:
> I'll second that, I also have a DC215 (a fancy gold one!) and it has a good
> macro mode. My complaint about the camera, though, is that its flash is way
> too harsh, and makes indoor 1-2m shots come out really poor. In hindsight I
> would have looked for a camera which included a socket for an external
> flash, that way you can choose any flash you want. Looks like I'll have to
> invest in some studio lighting.
I've worked on "softening" the flash a bit by taping a couple of layers of
tissue paper over the flash. I suppose a grey filter could work, too, but
tissue is nice and cheap, plus it diffuses the flash a bit.
Natural daylight seems to be the perfect light, so long as you can avoid
shadows. Sadly, thought, most of fritter away daylight by wasting it at
work :-(
Will
P.S. Mine is a gold one too!
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Will Middelaer wrote in message ...
>
> My Kodak DC215 (a fairly cheap camera, obtainable now for under $250) has a
> macro mode that lets you focus as close as 8". The regular focus mode • (fixed
> focus) is no slouch either, working from about half a meter to infinity. • My
> biggest complaint about this camera is that the Infinity focus is pretty • soft,
> but since I bought it for snapshots, models and selling on ebay, I have no
> complaints.
I'll second that, I also have a DC215 (a fancy gold one!) and it has a good
macro mode. My complaint about the camera, though, is that its flash is way
too harsh, and makes indoor 1-2m shots come out really poor. In hindsight I
would have looked for a camera which included a socket for an external
flash, that way you can choose any flash you want. Looks like I'll have to
invest in some studio lighting.
Cheers,
Paul
LUGNET member 164
http://www.geocities.com/doctorshnub/
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Paul Baulch <paul@vic.bigpond.net.au> wrote:
> I'll second that, I also have a DC215 (a fancy gold one!) and it has a good
> macro mode. My complaint about the camera, though, is that its flash is way
> too harsh, and makes indoor 1-2m shots come out really poor. In hindsight I
> would have looked for a camera which included a socket for an external
I really like my Nikon Coolpix 950 for taking pictures of Lego. It's got a
great feature for taking good shots in low light without flash or even a
tripod. This might not be terribly useful for most purposes, but it's great
for little shiny plasting things!
--
Matthew Miller ---> mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us ---> http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux ---> http://linux.bu.edu/
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Heh. I'm sure you do. But at ~$800 I sure won't be considering it.
Thanks anyway,
~Mark
Matthew Miller writes:
> I really like my Nikon Coolpix 950 for taking pictures of Lego. It's got a
> great feature for taking good shots in low light without flash or even a
> tripod. This might not be terribly useful for most purposes, but it's great
> for little shiny plasting things!
>
> --
> Matthew Miller ---> mattdm@mattdm.org
> Quotes 'R' Us ---> http://quotes-r-us.org/
> Boston University Linux ---> http://linux.bu.edu/
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Mark Sandlin <sandlin@nwlink.com> wrote:
> Heh. I'm sure you do. But at ~$800 I sure won't be considering it.
Nikon's just come out with a newer slightly fancier model -- I bet there
will be a lot of used 950s on the market soon....
--
Matthew Miller ---> mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us ---> http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux ---> http://linux.bu.edu/
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In lugnet.space, Matthew Miller writes:
> I really like my Nikon Coolpix 950 for taking pictures of Lego. It's got a
> great feature for taking good shots in low light without flash or even a
> tripod. This might not be terribly useful for most purposes, but it's great
> for little shiny plasting things!
Do you have a page up of examples? (LEGO in low light, bright light, macro
zoom-in, etc?) One of the most frustrating things about the Mavica is that
its CCD really needs a lot of light to take clear pictures.
--Todd
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Todd Lehman <lehman@javanet.com> wrote:
> Do you have a page up of examples? (LEGO in low light, bright light, macro
> zoom-in, etc?) One of the most frustrating things about the Mavica is that
> its CCD really needs a lot of light to take clear pictures.
I don't yet; I've got a bunch of pictures (ie thousands; not all of lego)
that I need to go through and sort and process and so forth. The pictures on
Karen's web page at <http://karen.mkmiller.org/lego/> aren't the best we've
taken, but they're pretty decent. (I think you've seen them before. There
were some more there; I'm not sure what she's done with them...) They were
all taken without flash in normal room light.
--
Matthew Miller ---> mattdm@mattdm.org
Quotes 'R' Us ---> http://quotes-r-us.org/
Boston University Linux ---> http://linux.bu.edu/
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