Cheap easy close-ups

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by Mercadante

Have to say to glsammy - I shouldn't find it boring if the camera did everything, any more than I do when a washing machine does everything.

Unfortunately, a washing machine still can't make the decision of what to wash, or when to do it: some user input is still necessary. There is no such thing as a fully automatic camera. You still have to find your subject and point the lens at it. You will only reap what you sow.

RichBrew

[Mercadante]

"You still have to find your subject and point the lens at it"

The finding I enjoy, and don't need a camera for. I am also willing to point a lens, and even to click a button.

Digital cameras routinely take videos, and boast of e.g. being able to focus on 9 faces at once. So there's plenty of sophisticated technology in them, but much of it happens to be directed at things that don't interest me. I basically wondered whether there are cheap cameras where taking focused close-ups of tiny things easily was a design goal; if you think the answer is 'no', that's fine and thanks for telling me, but I am sure it cannot be technologically impossible. Economically impossible, maybe.

"You will only reap what you sow."

Nah. The purpose of all machinery is to increase our yields.

[JennyS]

I have to admit that good quality close-up photos would be a big help in identifying plants, fungi, etc.

Yes!!
Thats what got me hooked, and from being a never-really-used-a camera-much sort of person now the camera lives in my bag or on my belt so I don't miss a shot of something I want to identify.

I'm not the least technically minded but bought a Fuji with a macro setting, started out on 'auto' and then switched to manual (but pretty basic) as the colour was better and I am gradually learning more......

There is a believe in some cases that you can just point the camera and shoot and get that near perfect shot. If only that was true.
Digital cameras haven't reached that stage yet and I doubt they ever will.

Lots of my shots don't make the grade but thats the beauty of a digital, take plenty and only save the good (or useful) ones. And you can always do a bit of tweaking with Photoshop or other image software afterwards.

Seem to have gone on a late night ramble with this, but the whole point was to say don't get put off, get yourself as good a camera as you can and go for it!

[BillyPilgrim]

If I hated the photography so much I wouldn't buy a camera at all.

I'd try these these instead:-

http://www.star-dot-star.co.uk/books/buttons/002865.jpg

http://tinyurl.com/24aqo9

[naturelover]

While on the subject of cameras,can i ask a question or two,i have always loved taking photoegraphs,only always having the run of the mill camera,i have at the moment a konica digital revia its 2.0 mega pixels,my question is,a 2.0 mega pixel didgie to me seems low,if i got a camera with more pixels could i get better shots,also i would like a camera that takes pictures all the time instead of having to wait for the battery to click in with the red and green light, and i would want a zoom in,i just hope you understand what i am rabbiting on about cos i dont not really.

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by naturelover

While on the subject of cameras,can i ask a question or two,i have always loved taking photoegraphs,only always having the run of the mill camera,i have at the moment a konica digital revia its 2.0 mega pixels,my question is,a 2.0 mega pixel didgie to me seems low,if i got a camera with more pixels could i get better shots,also i would like a camera that takes pictures all the time instead of having to wait for the battery to click in with the red and green light, and i would want a zoom in,i just hope you understand what i am rabbiting on about cos i dont not really.

Hi NL, IMO the main benefit of having the extra pixels is that you can crop the picture to move in closer to the subject. Of course you can also get better and larger prints as well.

There's obviously a vast range to chose from nowadays. It depends on how far you want to step up and how much you want to spend. I used to have a Panasonic Lumix which produced really good results and had a 10x optical zoom. The newer Lumix FZ30 for eg. has 8m pixels and a 12x zoom and is available for about £250 these days.

[naturelover]

Thanks for the info Billy,did you understand what i was saying about waiting for the green light,i am looking for a camera that you can take lots of snaps one after the other,so that you can pick the best of the bunch of the same subject.

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by naturelover

Thanks for the info Billy,did you understand what i was saying about waiting for the green light,i am looking for a camera that you can take lots of snaps one after the other,so that you can pick the best of the bunch of the same subject.

I think so.

I assume that your camera is quite old? Therefore it will be slow in transfering pictures to its memory. This is usually called the 'burst mode', which differs from camera to camera. You have (unfortunately) picked on one of the more expensive digital camera features. Typical speeds for the price I mentioned (around £250) seems to be about 3-4 frames per second, depending on the chosen picture quality. The higher the picture quality (number of pixels) the more it has to transfer to the memory card so it affects the speed of transfer. Another factor is the memory card itself. They also differ in speed which in turn affects the rate of transfer from the camera to the card.

Without having your camera to hand I can only guess but if you have to stand and watch whilst it stores a single picture (1-2 seconds per shot?) I would reckon a burst speed of 3-4 fps would seriously impress you.

A more expensive digital SLR, eg the Canon 40d (£700-£800) would give you about 6.5 frames per second.

Due to the lack of replies I think it might be a good idea to re-post your original message on the Wildlife Photography forum where I bet there will be plenty of people who have done the same upgrade as you are planning and would have relevant, up-to-date advice.

Finally, why not take you camera to your nearest camera retailer (Jessops would be good) and ask them to demonstrate a few cameras and compare the speeds?

Very, very finally - I've been in the pub for a few hours so I hope this all makes sense