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[dlancast]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

...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)]

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]

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)]

Photographs are the conman man's time machine.

[dlancast]

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]

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]

.  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)]

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

[barryfoote]

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

[dodgy geezer]

...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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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)]

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]

Is that really a fair question ?

Dave

[Artistmike]

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

Costs Enough to Run Norway ?

[Welsh Wizard]

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