Taking Pictures of Model cars

[drodg]

I am finishing up my 1968 Roadrunner kit within the week.  (I hope) anyhow is there a thread on this sight on how to take good model car pictures?   I really stink at it and I do have a couple good cameras.  I am really bad with my phone.  Anyhow before I do my Under Glass for my Roadrunner I was looking for some help..   Thanks  

Edited January 20, 2016 by drodg

[Miatatom]

Here's a few I've bookmarked:

[Miatatom]

Here's a couple more:

http://www.modelcartips.com/photograph-model-car.html

http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/Photo Booth/photobooth.htm

 

 

[sjordan2]

Jairus's link is the best -- If you scroll down to the Tips, Tricks and Tutorials section below, you will find a thread with about 13 pages of great advice , about 4th subject from the top.

Edited January 20, 2016 by sjordan2

[charlie8575]

Outside in filtered sun, not too hot or cold, will yield good lighting. 

If I want quick on-the-Internet pictures, I have a point-and-shoot Fuji digital camera that does a nice job generally.

For more thoughtful pictures, I use one of my 35 mm cameras, sometimes with the macro lens, sometimes with a wide-angle if I want a panoramic shot. 

If you really want to get fancy, you can always go find a Linhoff or similar technical camera, and adjust the depth-of-field manually so you can have surrounding trees, buildings, etc., scale in exactly with your model.

Charlie Larkin

[drodg]

Okay thanks everyone.

[Dave Ambrose]

I use a Canon EOS 60D camera, with an 18-135 mm zoom lens and a +2 close-up lens, If I'm shooting at the SDMCC meeting, I'm indoors with fluorescent lights.

Depth of field is a big problem. I put the camera in aperture priority, and stop the lens down all the way (f/22). I usually need a tripod as the exposures can be anywhere from 1/2 to a couple of seconds. This gets everything in focus. The room light is even enough by itself. If you want good illumination from a flash, you'll need a couple of them and probably diffusers.

[DeeCee]

I use a Nikon coolpix point and shoot on macro setting, it takes a nice pic,

but if i am required to produce anything more, bugger it, i am a model builder , not a photographer.....

A great camera could buy me many years of models.

[Jantrix]

I took this with my phone. Samsung Galaxy S5. It's about a year and a half old. Most modern phones have very good cameras now. Most have an auto focus that is good enough that macro is no longer required. For stability just set it on a book or something and snap away. Get some decent lighting though.

Edited January 21, 2016 by Jantrix

[astroracer]

I have a Sony Mavica FD73. It has a 10X OPTICAL zoom. If you want close ups that are in focus optical zoom is what you need to look for. I paid almost 400 bucks for my 73 when they came out but I just picked up another similar camera at GoodWill for 5 dollars. These pics were just taken with that camera last nite... In my shop, under flourescents with a rubber shop pad as a backdrop. They save to the 3 1/2 floppy discs. I can zoom up to within a 1/2" with the 73.

Check on eBay or any thrift shop. They are cheap now and they take excellant photo's.

Mark

[drodg]

Thanks again