Camera Selection

[m408]

Ground rules:

1- My building skills are not worth posting here, but my friends want to see pictures of my cars.

2- I built my first diorama, (used car lot), with a lot of help and advice from folks here. Not great, but O.K. I would like to share the photos with the people that helped me so much, and get their thoughts.

3- Don't have a camera so I need to buy one, with limited funds.

Any suggestions as to make, model, etc...would be appreciated. Also, tips on photography, posting, etc...

Yep, getting into building again after a bunch of years and a complete newbie about photos.

[forwardlook60]

Hi Milt,

Canon, Nikon and Olympus all make very good inexpensive digital cameras. Technology being what

it is today has permitted much greater range and control in affordable cameras. One thing to consider

is what you want to use the camera for (if for more than just posting a few pics on the internet). I

mention this because computer monitors will only really display 96 dpi (...that's dot-per-inch) and you

shouldn't waste alot of money on more camera than you need. If, on the other hand, you do plan to

do some serious photography and print your results then you would need to think about something

more sophisticated (read: greater control and more pixels...ie MP). The basic models of the above

manufacturers are probably just fine for your purposes. You might consider the Canon PowerShot A460

(5 MP @ $149) or the Canon PowerShot A570 IS (7.1 MP @ $279). Or think about the Nikon CoolPix L11

(6 MP @ $149) or Nikon CoolPix S200 (7.1 MP @ $249). These cameras, along with comparably priced

and featured offerings from Fuji, Kodak and Olympus would probably serve you well...they all take

great pictures. So my advice would be to go to a camera shop (well provisioned, of course) and try out

these suggested cameras (...and perhaps some others that the store might recommend) and see for

yourself, first hand, what looks good to you and that you feel allows you the level of creativity that you

want, at the price you can afford and that seems easiest to get started with (read: learning curve).

Although, I might add, most of these cameras are very simple to operate. Keep in mind that the major

differences between these cameras and their more expensive counterparts are features, level of control,

power, available attachments/accesories and ease of use.

I hope that this is helpful. And just as an aside, you shouldn't be bashful...showing your work here might

just yield some great benefits....namely your model building skills. In reading over the posts here on this

forum, I've found that, unlike many other forums (of all types), the folks here are most helpful and

encouraging. Very little nit-picking and 'rivet-counting'. You might just realize that by displaying

your efforts here you could come away with some new insight or suggestions as to how to proceed on a

project. I am new to this forum myself but, like I said it seems to be populated with understanding

fellow modelers who truly enjoy the hobby and are generous with their knowledge and skills.

Good luck and good shooting.... Steve

[Gregg]

Milt, need to know what your budget is.

Can go from there.

I just did a Part 2 of the Photo Tips, which covers the cheaper cameras.

What you need is something with at least 4 mega pixels, the higher the better

Also, manual settings are a must, or at least be able to set aperture or F-stop.

This will be a A or AV on the top of the camera.

Usually they will be: P TV AV M

If you see all those, it's probably a good enough camera.

Most F-Stops on the cheaper cameras only go up (or down, depending on how you look at it) to F-8

This will work, but you will get some front-to-back out focus on the model.

I never shoot Automatic or P, which I think is Program on most cameras.

I really like the Canon G3, the Olympus 4000-5000 series (the 5050 is the BEST one made in that series)

Look on eBay and ask plenty of questions.

let me know what you budget is too

[Harry P.]

Asking what camera to buy is like asking what's your favorite movie...you're going to get a MILLION different answers.

Bottom line: stick with a brand name...they ALL make good cameras. Pick a budget and shop only within your price range. The number of cameras available is so huge you'll drive yourself crazy trying to decide, unless you narrow down your selections somehow.

Very basically, the more megapixels, the better. The more megapixels, the better quality (and larger) image the camera can produce. For general hobby use (you're not talking about becoming a professional photographer), anything wuth 3 or more megapixels will suit you fine.

Personaly, I can recommend the camera I bought (after doing a lot of research on the web, reading many consumer AND professional photographer reviews)..the Sony Cybershot. It's small...about the size of a deck of cards. It has 7.2 megapixels, auto flash, auto focus, manual override, Carl Zeiss lens (very good quality optics), 3x optical zoom, can also shoot video, basically all the bells and whistles in a compact package. And the best part is, I got it online for about $200!

There are many other comparable cameras available from various makers, but I think the Cybershot is one of the best all-around packages available at that price level.

[CAL]

Personally, I like the Olympus.

#1 most important is a Macro lens setting, or at the very least a macro add on lens.

#2 the most MP you can afford.

a manual F-stop is handy but not absolutely necessary.

If you can afford a Digi SRL I would go that route.

As far as picture taking itself. set up a little studio with a three point lighting system - it doesn't have to be anything fancy.

[m408]

Hi Milt,

Canon, Nikon and Olympus all make very good inexpensive digital cameras. Technology being what

it is today has permitted much greater range and control in affordable cameras. One thing to consider

is what you want to use the camera for (if for more than just posting a few pics on the internet). I

mention this because computer monitors will only really display 96 dpi (...that's dot-per-inch) and you

shouldn't waste alot of money on more camera than you need. If, on the other hand, you do plan to

do some serious photography and print your results then you would need to think about something

more sophisticated (read: greater control and more pixels...ie MP). The basic models of the above

manufacturers are probably just fine for your purposes. You might consider the Canon PowerShot A460

(5 MP @ $149) or the Canon PowerShot A570 IS (7.1 MP @ $279). Or think about the Nikon CoolPix L11

(6 MP @ $149) or Nikon CoolPix S200 (7.1 MP @ $249). These cameras, along with comparably priced

and featured offerings from Fuji, Kodak and Olympus would probably serve you well...they all take

great pictures. So my advice would be to go to a camera shop (well provisioned, of course) and try out

these suggested cameras (...and perhaps some others that the store might recommend) and see for

yourself, first hand, what looks good to you and that you feel allows you the level of creativity that you

want, at the price you can afford and that seems easiest to get started with (read: learning curve).

Although, I might add, most of these cameras are very simple to operate. Keep in mind that the major

differences between these cameras and their more expensive counterparts are features, level of control,

power, available attachments/accesories and ease of use.

I hope that this is helpful. And just as an aside, you shouldn't be bashful...showing your work here might

just yield some great benefits....namely your model building skills. In reading over the posts here on this

forum, I've found that, unlike many other forums (of all types), the folks here are most helpful and

encouraging. Very little nit-picking and 'rivet-counting'. You might just realize that by displaying

your efforts here you could come away with some new insight or suggestions as to how to proceed on a

project. I am new to this forum myself but, like I said it seems to be populated with understanding

fellow modelers who truly enjoy the hobby and are generous with their knowledge and skills.

Good luck and good shooting.... Steve

Thanks Steve,

I agree about the folks here. I've just gotten back into building after an absence of over 30 years. The questions that I ask are always answered, help given, and tips ready available. I enjoy seeing the work that is displayed here, and the skill levels demonstrated, but I am still a long way from producing anything worth showing. Someday.

[m408]

Milt, need to know what your budget is.

Can go from there.

I just did a Part 2 of the Photo Tips, which covers the cheaper cameras.

What you need is something with at least 4 mega pixels, the higher the better

Also, manual settings are a must, or at least be able to set aperture or F-stop.

This will be a A or AV on the top of the camera.

Usually they will be: P TV AV M

If you see all those, it's probably a good enough camera.

Most F-Stops on the cheaper cameras only go up (or down, depending on how you look at it) to F-8

This will work, but you will get some front-to-back out focus on the model.

I never shoot Automatic or P, which I think is Program on most cameras.

I really like the Canon G3, the Olympus 4000-5000 series (the 5050 is the BEST one made in that series)

Look on eBay and ask plenty of questions.

let me know what you budget is too

Hey Gregg,

No real budget. As I said, my building skills are minimal compared to the folks that post here. However, my friends are always after me to show them pics of what I'm working on. And, having built my first ever diorama, would like to post some pics for all of the folks that guided me through it.

Would like to get away as inexpensively as possible.(saving my money for kits).

[m408]

Asking what camera to buy is like asking what's your favorite movie...you're going to get a MILLION different answers.

Bottom line: stick with a brand name...they ALL make good cameras. Pick a budget and shop only within your price range. The number of cameras available is so huge you'll drive yourself crazy trying to decide, unless you narrow down your selections somehow.

Very basically, the more megapixels, the better. The more megapixels, the better quality (and larger) image the camera can produce. For general hobby use (you're not talking about becoming a professional photographer), anything wuth 3 or more megapixels will suit you fine.

Personaly, I can recommend the camera I bought (after doing a lot of research on the web, reading many consumer AND professional photographer reviews)..the Sony Cybershot. It's small...about the size of a deck of cards. It has 7.2 megapixels, auto flash, auto focus, manual override, Carl Zeiss lens (very good quality optics), 3x optical zoom, can also shoot video, basically all the bells and whistles in a compact package. And the best part is, I got it online for about $200!

There are many other comparable cameras available from various makers, but I think the Cybershot is one of the best all-around packages available at that price level.

Thanks Harry,

Amazon has a few Cybershots on sale for $139.00. Might be older models, but for my needs, seems O.K. Has the features that you recommend.

[m408]

Thanks all for your help and advice.

Just ordered a Canon power shot A460 plus a SD/1GB memory card from Amazon. Total price of $131.36 including shipping.

Should do everything that I need.

Thanks again.

[cruz]

I have the Cybershot also, the 8.1 M.P. Not very different than the 7.1 so if you decide on any you won't loose. It is easy to use, has a nice big display and the battery runs pretty long, I love it!!!!

Here are some photos I have taken with low light and no flash!!!!!

[Harry P.]

Thread hijack alert!!!

Marcos, that 57 Chevy is a beauty! Nice color combination!!!

Now back to our regularly scheduled program already in progress...