Digital cameras

[Dominic Harper]

Hi Folks. I'm looking to purchase a better camera. It needs to be able to take very good close macro shots for my stylus repairs, plus excellent stereo videos for the web site etc. Any ideas? Cheaper the better!

[Rare Bird]

Well again i'll recommend Fuji Finepix Z300. dunno about the video requirements though

[The Vinyl Adventure]

How cheap is cheaper?

Video is easy, they pretty much all do that now ...
Macro might be a bit harder depending on what you are expecting...
The shots you see of the diamond tips of stylus on eBay and what not are taken with a microscope, not just a macro mode!
If that's what you are looking to do you will need a camera, scope and adapter to fit that camera to the scope ...
Let me know if that's what you after and I'll do some digging for you!

[Dominic Harper]

Thanks Hamish.
I need to be able to take decent shots of the tips with lens close to cartridge. I have a microscope but need full cartridge shots, plus stereo sound for vids would be good as I can download vids to Youtube in good quality sound.
I have looked at a Nikon Coolpix L120. Seems to do what I'm after unless you can find a better camera. £150 is prob top dollar for me.

Dom

[The Vinyl Adventure]

this camera http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/finepix-f550exr-black-refurbished.html

with this discount code P258BTCC467

will get you to £147.78 inc standard postage ;)

and being as it was fujis top end compact not so long ago that is definitely better than the nikon

[sq225917]

No camera will record decent quality sound, none of them, you need a field recorder, or similar for that. For real Macro work you need a DSLR and the right lens, there's no cheap and quality way around this if you want really high quality images that will impress picky potential customers.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

in fact with that code you can get the f600 for £166.93

http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/finepix-f600exr-refurbished.html?options=cart

[The Vinyl Adventure]

No camera will record decent quality sound, none of them, you need a field recorder, or similar for that. For real Macro work you need a DSLR and the right lens, there's no cheap and quality way around this if you want really high quality images that will impress picky potential customers.

true ... to a point ... but with a budget of £150 ... ??
it depends on the sort of "decent sound"

compact cameras can be surprisingly effective at macro photography if the light is good enough ...

a mini tripod and the use of self timer are a must though

[Dominic Harper]

Thanks for the info Hamish. Will look into those :)

[sq225917]

I guess it depends on the value you place on the quality of the images you use to sell your services. Being the words and pictures guy where I work maybe I'm unnecessarily fussy. ;-)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

of course, but the reality is that not everyone can afford or justify the expense of high quality equipment or to book a professional product photographer ...

with the right kit, even inexpensive kit, and the right technique very effective product photography can be achieved!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

something like this

http://www.sight2sound.co.uk/konig-portable-studio-kit.html

for eg is a constant light set up so can be used with even the most basic digital camera
set the camera on a tripod on macro mode at its lowest iso and id bet you would be surprised at how good a shot can be got!

the fuji i pointed out has fully manual over rides, which are fairly useless on a compact camera in most cases... but in this case will allow the camera to be set at a smaller aperture to ensure a larger dof even close up
add to that a control of shutter speed that will allow the user to adjust exposure by eye as opposed to allowing the camera to meter and your well on the way to passable product photography for less than £200

[Ali Tait]

If I may hijack a little, Hamish, what would you recommend camera wise for say 3-400? I've been hankering after a decent camera.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

There is a LOT in that price point!
Im going to work on the idea that image quality is the deciding factor here ....

You possibly a little short for buying a digital slr (DSLR) at the price point, but your about right for a "compact system camera" (CSC) ... Panasonic also have cash back deals on thier csc's at the mo ...
Maybe a Panasonic GF3?
A little bit more money and you could have a GF3 with the collapsible 'x' lens ... Making it one of the only actually compact CSC cameras

Sony NEX C3 is anther option ... Bigger sensor, maybe a tiny smidge better image quality (??) but bigger lenses

Olympus pen if you like the retro look?

I wouldn't go for the Samsung NX on brand alone despite the good rep o the lens - that's just me though...

The above will give you the best quality for your cash, the disadvantage is the size and the fact that for long telephoto you need to change lenses ...

If you want a jack of all trades with a long zoom and no lens changing you could look at the Fuji hs20 ... Big zoom! Just slightly limited in quality especially in low light ...

If you want it to go easily in your pocket we are back to the referbed Fujis and the f600 again which is unbeatable for £165 ...

Second hand ... That opens up a lot!
You could easily get a DSLR second hand with a couple of lenses ... But to be honest, the CSC's are so close in quality that they are almost a no brainer for the average consumer!
There has also been a bit of a slump in sales of them which is why the prices have come down and penny have all the cash back deals on ...

Martin bought a panny GF1 (gf2??) on my recommendation and he is very happy with it I think

So yeah, I think overall I'd prob recomend the Panasonic GF3 ... It's much more "consumer" oriented than its predesesor, but I think probably easier to use because of that ... If you can afford to go a little over budget you can look at the collapsible "X" lens (just make sure you try one first as you might find the way it zooms a bit odd...).
That combo will give you the best quality/small size/price combo I'd have thought ...
If you want more zoom the gf3 twin lens kit gives you more range on the zoom for less money than the sinle x lens ...

As much as it pains me to do so ... Here is a link to the cameras I'm talking about on jessops website ... http://www.jessops.com/Directory/catalogue.ashx/categoriesLT;jessops_1/categoriesLT;jessops_1_120
Try and buy from an independant camera shop though yeah? ;)

[Dominic Harper]

Thanks for all the advice. Went to a local camera shop and walked away with this,
http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af30/hifimaster/s2800hd.jpg
Fuji finepix S2800HD

Seems pretty good so far and was a bargain at £100 for a fuji refurb.

[The Grand Wazoo]

It has a great macro function Dominic, that I'm sure will come in handy for you. I have one similar to that & used the macro for a while, thinking it was fairly good, then eventually discovered how to use it to it's full potential only recently & I've been astonished by the results to be honest!

[Ali Tait]

Thanks for the considered reply Hamish, looks a good camera.

[Ali Tait]

BTW, what's the difference between the G3 and the GF3?

[Mark Grant]

Fuji finepix S2800HD is a nice camera for £100.

A couple of links about sound quality that was mentioned earlier.
Built in mics used indoors sound like you are in a bucket:)

A link to vimeo with a simple speech test with canon 5DMkII :

http://vimeo.com/2433559

Another on vimeo, using a cheap MP3 player for sound:
http://vimeo.com/10568081

Using an iphone and free app then syncing:
http://vimeo.com/30416737

One more, how did he train that dog to wait so long with the biscuit balanced on it's nose :)
http://vimeo.com/3178455

-

[Ali Tait]

... and, how does the PEN compare to the Panny?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

The g3 has an eye level finder so you don't have to use the screen on the back to compose your image ... Ita a digital view finder though, so when you look into it you still see a little screen not through to the real world if that makes sense?

The pens... Basically the same cameras as the panasonics
Built around the same sensors and lens mounts, the lenses are interchangeable between brands ... It's called the "micro four thirds system" or "m4/3" for short
The cameras just look a little different and have various subtle differences in features ...
You could pick one on looks alone really and not find your self missing any features from any other model really ...

I'll tell you what... Answer these questions and I'll try and help you choose a bit better

Do you concider your self to have chunky hands, ie do you find fiddly buttons or touch screen interfaces difficult?
Do you think you would prefer to have a larger grip to the camera? Or would you prefer it more pocketable?
Would you like to ba able to put the camera up to your eye instead of using a screen to frame your photos?
Do you think you will ever have any need or desire to shoot film with an external mic or use a large flash mounted to the top of the camera?
What previous understanding of photography do you have? Eg could you tell the difference between a photo taken at f2.8 and a photo taken at f22?
Is the intended use of the camera for learning more about how to take a photo? Or would you concider your self a consumer photographer with a desire to point and shoot?

[Ali Tait]

Hamish, thanks for the considered reply, I will answer all your questions, but I've just been out on the works xmas do, so am a little worse for wear!

I do appeciate you taking the time though, thanks mate.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

No probs :)
Ita my Xmas do tonight :)

[Mark Grant]

Hangover this time tomorrow Hamish :cool:

If anyone is looking at Fuji refurb site there is a new offer code for 20% off :)
code is PSAVE13 and is valid to 31st December.

tempted by one of these, but I dont need another compact really.

http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/compact/advanced/finepix-f300exr-black-refurbished.html

I am hoping that one day they might haves a Fuji X series on the refurb site :eyebrows:

[Ali Tait]

Chunky hands - Yes
Not too bothered about it being pocketable.
Don't mind about the viewfinder either.
Don't think I'd need to shoot film or use an external flash.
Previous experience - none really, just point and click. I'd like to learn more though.

Think that answers all the questions.

[Ali Tait]

Haaaaaaamish! :lol:

[bobbasrah]

SHHHHHH Too loud - Hangover remember.........

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yes hangover indeed!
Still getting there with it now... The wiskey and water is helping a lot!

I'd possibly be more inclined to look at the Olympus range ...
I know a lot of people with sausage fingers find the touch screen controls of some cameras quite fiddley to use?
Definitely worth confirming that by a trip to a camera shop!
The EPL1 twin lens kit can be had for about £350 which is a lot of camera and lens for the cash!
My main worry would be its size ... It's not a lot to hold on to!

I'm being a touch indecisive here I think... But...
Being as you dont have much issue with extra size... If you can get a go on the Panasonic range, make sure you are happy with the touch screen the G3 will give you a better hold on the thing and you might find the eye level VF an advantage in certain circumstances ...

And just to based on my previous comments throw a bit of an extra slightly out of the box suggestion in ... Since size isn't an issue you could even look at a

Canon eos 1100 in your price range!
Proper slr! I'd previously not realised they were as cheap as they are!
I'd probably encourage you in this direction the most ... Especially as size doesn't bother you to much
Biggest range of lenses available and arguably the most "proper" camera ... The only downside they are a little plasticy

I feel I'm probably being a bit vague here
Some of it is admittedly hangover ... But it's hard to commit to any solid suggestion without being able to put the cameras in your hand...

[Ali Tait]

Ok thanks Hamish, I will go and have a look.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Just a point on size...
My initial recommendation of the gf3 was based almost entirely on size!
However much you feel that size won't bother you think hard about how much and often you intend to take the camera out with you ... Larger cameras often get left at home...
Just throwing that out there to add to the confusion ... ;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

No probs ... Let me know what you get!
And you know a friendly forum to show off your shots ;)

[shane]

On the strength of this thread I bought myself an early Christmas present;

http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/compact/advanced/finepix-f300exr-black-refurbished.html

Ridiculously good for £80!!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Twy are almost a no brainer at the money eh!

This is the camera I got (am sorta getting) for Christmas

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/hamish_gill/f5824868.jpg

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/hamish_gill/0500d237.jpg

on it's side with grip on
http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/hamish_gill/57b158cf.jpg

[Ali Tait]

A Hasselblad eh? Even I've heard of them! Very nice mate. Expensive?

[shane]

Slobber.....

I know where you can pick one of those up off the ground if you can get there. Bloke called Armstrong left it behind.

[Reid Malenfant]

I hope you like breathing a vacuum ;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

http://www.realphotographersforum.com/content/377-nasa-s-hasselblad-photography-manual.html ;)

Yeah, it's a lovely thing!
Did very well on the price! £500 off eBay on a risky listing with little detail and vague images ...
1981 body
1980 lens
Old pre acute matte screen (it seems)
PME 51 prism finder
Late 1990's a12 back
Gotta be worth £700 plus of most peoples money ...

The only issue it has is a slightly sticky rear curtain that doesn't close fully until it's wound
Nothing a CLA won't sort out (hopefully) ... And nothing that will get I the way of shooting for now! Very happy with it! :)
Not bad as an Xmas present off the missis ... Admittedly I had to pay for some of it, source it and buy it ... But at least I got somthing really ace!

[Mark Grant]

I am hoping that one day they might haves a Fuji X series on the refurb site :eyebrows:

Bugger :eek:

The Fuji X100 was on fuji refurb site earlier today and in stock,
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/fujifilm-x100-refurbished.html

I had one in my cart with a valid discount code to bring the price down to £503.99 :eek:

I could not remember my login and by the time the 'forgot password' email arrived they had sold out :steam:

maybe next time..

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Gutted!

I'll be looking to get an x10 when they get them in for sure!

[Jonboy]

Bugger :eek:

The Fuji X100 was on fuji refurb site earlier today and in stock,
http://shop.fujifilm.co.uk/refurbished-digital-cameras/fujifilm-x100-refurbished.html




A thing of beauty for sure