Topic: Camera for close up shots ( Macro photography) (Read 1411 times)

dlancast · « **on:** January 02, 2012, 08:22:13 PM »

Howdy Folks,

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced point and shoot digital camera that will give me good close up detail shots of my model? My Cannon Power Shot SD450 is just not up to the task of closeup work. Thanks!

Best regards,

Dennis

Welsh Wizard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2012, 08:34:35 PM »

Very unusual for a Canon to be not up to the job,I would suggest going to a camera shop and trying some out,I must admit I have allways been a Canon Man but I must admit the Fuji range has got a good Macro facility which is what you need

Dave

dlancast · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2012, 08:46:16 PM »

Tks Dave,

The closer I get, the image is out of focus.. like the autofocus on the camera can't handle the close up work.

D.

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2012, 08:54:24 PM »

I'm surprised also - my wife's old Canon S5 IS can focus on objects which are TOUCHING the lens!

My son, who makes miniature soldiers, finds that the camera on his phone is fine for close-up pictures of objects a couple of inches across.

You do know that the SD450 will focus down to 3 cm with the macro set? and that you should be able to get macro lens extensions?

derekwarner_decoy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:00:25 PM »

I use a Panasonic DMC TZ11 for work.......super simple ...point & shoot

most images are approx 3mp.......of internal damage to hydraulic components

I have re-sized the attached image to 134kb...but still confirms the horific internal cylinder barrel scoring

....each score being 1.0 mm wide.....Derek

Welsh Wizard · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:10:13 PM »

WOAH are you using it macro mode to do close ups or are you in normal automatic mode>reason I ask is just realised it is the same one as mine and WILL focus down to 3cm away on Macro and up to 50cm away from the subject.

Dave

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2012, 11:20:33 PM »

Quote from: dodgy geezer on January 02, 2012, 08:54:24 PM

...You do know that the SD450 will focus down to 3 cm with the macro set? ...

I think it's very likely that he's not using it on macro.

The macro button is on the camera. It has a small flower on it. Here are some instructions for using it... http://www.ehow.com/how_6393103_close-up-canon-sd450.html

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2012, 11:28:59 PM »

Yes, I suspect the camera is not set for Macro too ... see page 14 & 35 of the instructions.

Instructions here -

http://canoncanada.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4425/~/powershot-sd450-user-manual

http://canoncanada.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/1522//session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzI1NTQ2NzEzL3NpZC9EcmxUWjlOaw==

For macro photography, very steady hands or a tripod and lots of light.

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2012, 12:02:52 AM »

I didn't know we were all so good at photography. I wonder if the 'Amateur Photographer' forum is advising its readers on static trim in model submarines...

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2012, 12:23:37 AM »

Photographs are the conman man's time machine.

dlancast · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2012, 04:02:53 AM »

Dear Folks,

I am so red faced. I had no clue, I just always thought that my camera used the zoom for closeup work and that is simply not true. I was never using the "Macro" function. How stupid of me. Sorry for wasting all of your time on this and thank you so much for getting me going in the right direction. My little camera is awesome and I am one happy camper. Requires a steady hand though.. makes sense.

You folks are awesome!

Regards,

Dennis

Norseman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2012, 04:38:49 AM »

Hey Dennis

if it makes you fell any better - you are not alone.

I only found the macro panel/mode after my cameras focus went to hell,
and I'd had the camera for a few years so no excuse. Daughter borrowed a working camera and returned attractive scrap - doh!

Dave

Artistmike · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2012, 06:42:04 AM »

Quote from: dlancast on January 03, 2012, 04:02:53 AM

. Requires a steady hand though.. makes sense.

I use the macro mode on my camera for taking photos of watches, another passion of mine and to get the best results always use a tripod and the timer on the camera, that way there's the absolute minimum camera tremor, if any, and you'll get the crispest shots...

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2012, 07:12:00 AM »

For macro photography, use a tripod or rest the camera on something solid and use lots of light.

barryfoote · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2012, 07:32:47 AM »

and don't forget that in Macro the depth of field (what is in focus) is very shallow indeed.

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2012, 11:03:24 AM »

...and if anyone at Gran Sasso or CERN working on the OPERA project wants to post in, the assembled might of Mayhem will tell them what they're doing wrong with their neutrino speed measurements.....

Norseman · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2012, 12:08:02 PM »

Hi Dodgy

You're right there, I've just been on the Physics forums and took a link to an interesting article
http://profmattstrassler.com/2011/09/20/supernovas-and-neutrinos/
Their boards however just aren't a patch on ours - and they'll never come to any agreement
until they get some emoticons.

E=mc

................see how you intuitively popped a 2 in there

Dave

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2012, 12:50:49 PM »

Quote from: Norseman on January 03, 2012, 12:08:02 PM

Their boards however just aren't a patch on ours - and they'll never come to any agreement
until they get some emoticons...

You're right! A Nobel for that lad in the corner.....

barryfoote · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2012, 01:40:40 PM »

Now don't tell me you two intellectuals actually read all that?

A test will surely follow........Martin, Martin......where are you. We need you to set some questions!!

dlancast · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2012, 02:37:32 PM »

Stability is key. In Macro mode, just the simple depression of the shoot button is enough to cause movement. I see a tripod coming. I wonder if it was a neutrino strike that caused a tremor.

thanks guys...... back to it, I have cannon to make.

Dennis

andrewh · « **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2012, 04:25:39 PM »

Dennis

Just as an added thought - what you were doing was not so far wrong - by all means use the Macro (flower) button if it does the trick for you.

But you may want more depth of field or just a different way of doing things:
1) Select the "Distant scenery2 setting - often an picture of Mountains on a dial or button
(this gives a small "pinhole" aperture so the biggest depth of field)
2) Go as close as possible (see the book, but probably about 200 to 300 mm)
3) Try and focus - half press the shutter button and see if it bleeps happily of gives you a green LED (or whatever the Canon does)
remember that many autofocus need vertical lines or edges to focus on - you can't autofocus on an egg against a soft background
4) Place the camera on a flat surface or use a tripod - the shutter will be open for too long to have success if you hold in the hand
5) Wise people use the timer function to release the shutter without shuggling the camera
6) Zooming is a last resort for me - the zoom is a horrid wabbly mechanical slide and twist - I prefer to get a sharp image and crop to size later

We look forward the the macros
andrew

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2012, 04:48:01 PM »

Quote from: Footski on January 03, 2012, 01:40:40 PM

Now don't tell me you two intellectuals actually read all that?

A test will surely follow........Martin, Martin......where are you. We need you to set some questions!!

OK Footski - What is C.E.R.N. an acronym for?

Norseman · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2012, 05:03:36 PM »

Is that really a fair question ?

Dave

Artistmike · « **Reply #23 on:** January 03, 2012, 05:53:01 PM »

Quote from: Martin - admin. on January 03, 2012, 04:48:01 PM

OK Footski - What is C.E.R.N. an acronym for?

Costs Enough to Run Norway ?

Welsh Wizard · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2012, 06:21:15 PM »

dlancast you can also change the iso on the camera and go to the highest one and it will mean a faster shutter speed thus elliminating the need for a tripod,if I use mine for detail work I am allways on iso 1600..................If I use my Proper camera the Canon Eos 7d and taking indoor shots of modles i use iso 6400 slight amount of grain but well acceptable

Dave

dlancast · « **Reply #25 on:** January 03, 2012, 07:36:20 PM »

Thank you Dave. I'm certainly on a learning curve with respect to my digital camera. Wondered about that ISO setting.. I will try that. So much to learn, so little time.

Dennis

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #26 on:** January 03, 2012, 08:07:09 PM »

Quote from: Artistmike on January 03, 2012, 05:53:01 PM

Costs Enough to Run Norway ?

derekwarner_decoy · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2012, 12:37:55 AM »

Guys.........could one of members with reasonably competent photographic skills [this precludes me

] please offer a few tips relative to our hobby

1. is macro photography really the best option?......or necessary?

.......I find macro advantageous for technical presentation/reporting/viewing....but the associated blurring of close by components can be disconcerting for viewing model work

2. is it not best to take the original images at the highestposssible resolution & then reduce the pixel sizing to bring it back to < 160 Kb WEB site limit?....Martin made a complementory comment in a different thread ..re the quality of images posted & the response was large pixel [5Mb?] originals.......

......Derek

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #28 on:** January 04, 2012, 02:04:45 AM »

1. Yes many, most cameras can't focus down that close without the 'Macro' option being selected.

2. If you so take an 'ordinary photo' and use software to crop the image;
a. It''s a lot of unnecessary faffing about
b. You won't get as good results.

Photos:
1. Camera set on normal
2. Zoom selection of above
3. Camera on Macro

barryfoote · « **Reply #29 on:** January 04, 2012, 08:01:13 AM »

Martin is right, but only to a degree......Sorry Martin..For images as he has taken the macro works well. These images are flat. They have no depth, but on Macro setting the image depth of field can be a couple of millimetres, therefore throwing most of an image out of focus, which is fine in artistic terms, but not in our hobby, where we are trying to show details in focus.

For best results we want to set a largish aperture, say f8 to f11. Shutter speed is not important if mounted on a tripod and shooting a static image. Focus as close as possible to the image and use flash if required. Then only a small amount of cropping will be required to show the detail wanted. If the finished image is too large to post, then it will need resizing, but then that has always been the case..

Such an example is shown below.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #30 on:** January 04, 2012, 07:44:11 PM »

The camera I used (Canon Powershot A470) and Dennis' Cannon Power Shot SD450 don't have those kind of options....

dlancast · « **Reply #31 on:** January 04, 2012, 09:17:49 PM »

My SD450 does. I just need to learn how to set the menu up and use it. I need to try to adjust that ISO setting to a higher number, I think its set at 60 now... should help with focus issues.

Dennis

Norseman · « **Reply #32 on:** January 04, 2012, 09:40:22 PM »

Hey Dennis

It would be good to see the same shot but on the different possible settings.
I had just assumed (before this thread) that macro was the only way.

Dave

barryfoote · « **Reply #33 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:09:11 PM »

Dennis,

I use Nikon, so do not know exactly where you change the settings. You will have to look in the main menu setup. It should be there somewhere. Set the ISO to 400 if it has it and try that.

Welsh Wizard · « **Reply #34 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:13:35 PM »

will have a look tomorrow on mine and post how to do it here

Dave

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Author Topic: Camera for close up shots ( Macro photography) (Read 1411 times)

dlancast

Welsh Wizard

dlancast

Welsh Wizard

dlancast

barryfoote

barryfoote

dlancast

Welsh Wizard

dlancast

barryfoote

dlancast

barryfoote

Welsh Wizard