Camera help needed.......please

[Blinky Bill]

G'day All,
I am wondering if someone can tell me just what I need to look for in a "non-bank-breaking" digital camera that will take really good close-up snaps of tiny carvings etc. I have two so so cameras and both have "Macro" ability, but even using a tripod they don't give me acceptably sharp clear pics at close/macro range. I know that if any folk can supply the necesary information, it will be the friends here on this forum.

Best wishes to All
John

[Joggernot]

I use a zoom lens; stand a ways back (8 feet); and zoom in for the photo. That way I don't need a close up lens.

Joggernot

[cgm]

May I ask what kind of cameras do u have?

[Joggernot]

I personally have a Canon Powershot S2 IS with a 10X zoom lens. But check Wal-Mart and other stores and find one that has a zoom lens at less cost. There are lots out there to choose from. Learning to use the features of the camera is most important.

Joggernot

[Blinky Bill]

Thank you both for bothering to comment.....at present, I am using a Canon IXUSi digital with 2.4x optical zoom. And you are quite right Jogger, I should take time to study the manual.
John

[BobD]

Bill, one trick we use when trying to fool a camera into focusing close up is to place a dollar bill right against the area we want the camera to focus on. The print and sharp lines of the bill give the camera something to focus on.

Press and hold the shutter button halfway down to lock in the focus with the dollar in place. Remove the dollar and press the shutter button down the rest of the way to take the photo.

Bob

[cgm]

Bill, I have a canon A590 power shoot. I got it through Amazon for about $120. A lot of times, u can get free shipping.
On close ups It helps if I turn flash off and use natural light or lamps. Geting it to focus is sometimes a prob. The earlier post by others are a good start.
carl

[BobT]

I don't know if you saw it or not, Lynn Doughty recenly posted a video on his blog about how he photographs his carvings. It doesn't get much better than his work.
He is not using macro, but instead cropping afterwards. It really looks good. My photography skills are nonexistant buy Lynn makes it look easy.

[BobD]

I'd use caution when cropping. If you've got a high res camera, or are only photographing for the web, you may be fine, but if you want print-quality images from anything less than a 10 megapixel camera, I'd work hard to get good at shooting in micro format.

Bob

[cgm]

I would say Lynn's camera is better than ur average. You may want to take that into cosideration.
Carl