Digital cameras.

[sxereturn]

I'm looking at buying a new camera...I need something that can take fantastic photos of small lizards/snakes etc...In other words, works very well close up. I plan on having these photos published later on.

I currently own a Sony DSCP73 - it does the job, but isn't as good as I'd like it to be.

What are the benefits of having a 5+megapixel camera, compared to say, a 4.1MP camera?

If you're doing close up stuff, would a 10x optical zoom be necessary? Would a 6x be sufficient?

I'm looking at spending no more than $1000 at the moment, including stuff like bigger memory cards and cases.

[scblack]

I'm looking at buying a new camera...I need something that can take fantastic photos of small lizards/snakes etc...In other words, works very well close up. I plan on having these photos published later on.

I currently own a Sony DSCP73 - it does the job, but isn't as good as I'd like it to be.

What are the benefits of having a 5+megapixel camera, compared to say, a 4.1MP camera?

If you're doing close up stuff, would a 10x optical zoom be necessary? Would a 6x be sufficient?

I'm looking at spending no more than $1000 at the moment, including stuff like bigger memory cards and cases.

sxereturn, I've just got a Kodak DX7590, and it seems to take great close-up pictures. It's a 5mp, and the benefit is of course higher resolutions. But I am not at all sure for close-up work, whether the optical zoom is a help at all, and its got 10x optical.

I'm not totally sure what requirements are, but what I have gathered from photographers sites and stuff, if you are thinking about publishing, is that a higher resolution than 5mp will be required. But I am not 100% sure of that.

The DX7590 cost about $800 so it's in your price range.

[Spoolin]

I have been using a Nikon Coolpix 5700 for a while now and love it.

It has a great Macro range (Up to 3cm)

Check out dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/?gallery=nikoncp5700_samples/) for an in-depth review on all digital cameras.

The coolpix 5700 retails now for around the $1300.

Hope this helps.

[sxereturn]

Cheers guys. I have been looking at the Kodak...we'll see.

[Scott]

As spoolin said, dpreview is your bible.

The difference between a 4mp camera and 5mp is nothing. You'd be better of comparing 4 with 6-8mp. There really isn't that much difference (just some wank factor).

10x zoom etc isn't going to do you alot of good with macro shots. Especially when the camera cannot focus on close objects. I've found that if you zoom too close to an object the camera simply cannot focus. Realistically you're better off getting the camera as close as possible to the subject rather than zooming in. You'd most likely have to move the camera away from the subject to make use of the zoom. Though saying that doesn't mean you can't use any zoom. Depending on what I'm photographing I'll zoom between 2 and 4x.

Alot of the canon range can take good macro shots with their macro mode. My g3 has been able to take some pretty good shots, though you'd probably get the same from a cheaper canon. I think most of the canon's that have macro mode can take photos as close as 5 cm.

[Hex515]

I find manual focus good for close up shots, so it may be worth considering something with that option.

[DiMmY]

As spoolin said, dpreview is your bible.

The difference between a 4mp camera and 5mp is nothing. You'd be better of comparing 4 with 6-8mp. There really isn't that much difference (just some wank factor).

10x zoom etc isn't going to do you alot of good with macro shots. Especially when the camera cannot focus on close objects. I've found that if you zoom too close to an object the camera simply cannot focus. Realistically you're better off getting the camera as close as possible to the subject rather than zooming in. You'd most likely have to move the camera away from the subject to make use of the zoom. Though saying that doesn't mean you can't use any zoom. Depending on what I'm photographing I'll zoom between 2 and 4x.

Alot of the canon range can take good macro shots with their macro mode. My g3 has been able to take some pretty good shots, though you'd probably get the same from a cheaper canon. I think most of the canon's that have macro mode can take photos as close as 5 cm.


Ahh the glorious G3.. they rock dont they :D The difference between 4-5mp will be only resolution. The 4mp will win in quality. The larger the MP, the larger the sensor should be. Thats why DSLR are such high quality, because they have massive sensors instead of tiny ones like in normal digi cams. Most of the Sub $1000 canons also take very good video.. 640x480 @ 30fps

[apsilon]

I have been using a Nikon Coolpix 5700 for a while now and love it.

It has a great Macro range (Up to 3cm)

I have the same camera with telephoto and wide angle lenses and it is fantastic for general use but IMO if you're serious about publishing your photos in the future then you really want the highest possible quality and therefore should be looking at DSLRs (of at least 6mp) so that you can buy leses and filters to suite the work you'll be doing.

[Spoolin]

True, I have been looking at the 20D for a while now.

But with a $1000 limit I think you would be pushing it to find a DSLR + Bag + memory etc etc.

Myabe check out the Nikon D70 and the EOS 300D if you want to get a SLR, Look at www.bhphotovideo.com, the 300D retails for around the $1000 mark + shipping.

At the end of the day, your better off saving a bit longer and going all out, or you will do what im doing and wishing I waited a bit longer. :p

[scblack]

For your memory, check out www.citysoftware.com.au

Their prices are as good as I have come across - I'm looking at 1GB SD card for $160 - good pricing.

And I have bought stuff, such as modems off them before, and the delivery time is a couple of days (as long as in stock).

[apsilon]

But with a $1000 limit I think you would be pushing it to find a DSLR + Bag + memory etc etc.

Whoops, missed the price limit, hadn't had my morning coffee yet :o

[Scott]

DSLR's are good, but for what he's going to be doing they are way overkill. Alot of the point and shoot cameras have just as good macro capabilities as the dslr's. I think you should be able to get something with good macro for around the $400-500 mark. Pay a bit more ($600-$1000) you'll be able to attach your own lenses/filters. My sister has a canon ixus II that cost around $450, it's macro is just as good as mine (but no manual focus). You really don't need more than that.

Bottom line, just do your research on dpreview.

Some random macros taken with my G3.

http://photos.farkin.net/scott-random-photos/lizard1?full=1
http://photos.farkin.net/scott-random-photos/mantis?full=1
http://photos.farkin.net/scott-random-photos/garden0078?full=1
http://photos.farkin.net/scott-random-photos/hopper2?full=1
http://photos.farkin.net/scott-random-photos/garden0074?full=1
http://photos.farkin.net/scott-random-photos/butterflywing?full=1

[cam-o]

Scotts right, you don't need a DSLR for macro. In fact the are the wrong way to go if your budget is limited because you need to buy a specific macro lens for them. I've got a DSLR plus a 28-80, 19-35 and 70-200 lens, there's well over $5000 sunk into that lot and I can't take a Macro shot that's worth dick. Get out my Pentax Optio that I grabbed for $300 2nd hand and it's all good.

[apsilon]

I would've thought zoom was more important than macro for insects and lizards as they can be hard to get close to but looking at your shots i guess not.

[Scott]

I would've thought zoom was more important than macro for insects and lizards as they can be hard to get close to but looking at your shots i guess not.
All macro does is help your camera focus at very short distances. Usually without it the camera will not focus at all. Zoom would work, but you'd have to be a meter or so away to get it to focus which makes it pointless.

[apsilon]

Yeah I know but with the little lizards around my place you have no chance of getting within a metre of them before they take off hence my thought zoom from a distance would be easier than macro.

[GrubNut]

A canon A-series might be a good way to go for macro shots, eg an A95. Relativley inexpensive and you can get a macro lens attachment. I've had an A70 and A75 and I reckon they're great little cameras.

I think zoom is not that important for close up macro work because you are like to want a wide angle. Telephoto angles increase the minimum focal length.

Megapixels are not that important either in themselves but do indicate the overall quality of the camera to an extent. Remember resolution is proptional to the square root of the number of megapixels - so an 8Mp camera only has 1.41 times the resolution of a 4Mp one. The difference in resolution between 4Mp and 5Mp is only about 10%!

My fravorite review site:
www.dcresource.com

Also well worth checking out:
www.dpreview.com

[sxereturn]

Yeah I know but with the little lizards around my place you have no chance of getting within a metre of them before they take off hence my thought zoom from a distance would be easier than macro.

Learn how to catch them first :)

Scott, where was the photo of that skink taken?

[Scott]

On my back doorstep. Pretty sure the lizard was too lazy to move.

[GordonG]

Ahh the glorious G3.. they rock dont they :D


My backup camera :)

[sxereturn]

Scott - For your information, it's a species of skink from the genus Carlia. I can't tell you what species as I'd have to catch it and do a scale count and examination etc...it's a male of breeding age, though.

[matty_2004]

Jonno,

I would have spoken to you on MSN earlier but hey - it's fecked.

I have a FujiFilm S700/S700Z and it kicks arse. I've been told by so many photographers that for the 1000 mark it is the best out there. I use it for the same things you do and i can't complain one bit, just check out the specs of it, for that price and specs nothing else compares.

Not only does it take wicked close ups, it does even better at other shots (ie: riding).


Here's a photo i took of Fred (one of my Beardies) - still a fair distance away from him [considering the full macro range is like 3-1cm, don't worry there are 3 macro settings], through glass, and aimed at the light, and the photo is seriously resized !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/Matty_2004/Design/freddylargecrop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/Matty_2004/Design/freddylarge.jpg


It's a great camera.

[cam-o]

Nice photo, but more importantly, that's a f#ckin cool lizard!

[Chieftain]

Maybe for $1K you could find a used Minolta Dimage A1? They've been out a while now, so maybe you'll get lucky in the Trading Post or something. It's only a 5MP but really, unless u're gonna print posters, i reckon that's more than enough if you have a big memory card.

Good thing is that it's got a manual focus ring, and the macro's up to 3cm.

The batteries are also much better than the old Z series ones, they actually last quite a fair bit.