[Mulderator]

We already have a slim ditigal camera (Casio), but my wife wants a good digital camera that take high quality close ups of things like flowers, which she then uses to paint from. I was thinking this would be a good choice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ice=&maxPrice=

It is the highest rated on NewEgg with a 10 or higher optical zoom.

Is this correct? What digital camera would you recommend?

[linskyjack]

Whats your budget?

[Guyzer]

Mulder the link you gave doesn't take anyone to a individual camera. Which one in the list were you thinking about?

Just my 2 cents. My first digital camera was a Canon 3.2 mp and it took surprisingly nice macro shots. I gave it to my sister and she's still shooting with it. Matter of fact she e-mailed me a few pics a week ago and I was shocked how good the close-up were. You can't go wrong with a Canon for what you want to do.

The Canon S2 IS has received good reviews and if memory serves me right it has built in image stabilization which can and does make a difference.
Here's a review... http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s2is.html

Here's Steve's conclusion if you don't want to read the whole thing.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_.../s2is_pg6.html

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by Wimpy369

Mulder the link you gave doesn't take anyone to a individual camera. Which one in the list were you thinking about?

Sorry, here ya go:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120171

Its the same one you recommended, I think.

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Whats your budget?

Probably up to $350 to $400 range. The key is very good close up photos with excellent detail and clarity.

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by Mulder

Sorry, here ya go:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120171

Its the same one you recommended, I think.

Yup that's the one. Buy it!

[linskyjack]

Short of a DSLR ---a lot more expensive----that should do it. The other essential thing for Macro photography is a tripod---Get a tripod.

[moper]

I've been using a Canon S2 and like to take close-ups. It takes great pictures. The subject in the Example attachment is only 1/2 inch long. It was taken at 12X at a distance of about 3 feet(the closest it will focus at 12X), using autofocus. It also has Macro and Supermacro modes for use at 1X.
The only problem with autofocus, (and I think this pertains to all autofocus cameras)is the size of the focus box. If the subject is small and closer to you than the background, the camera tends to focus on the background. So, in some situations you must rely on manual focus. The Canon has manual focus, but it is awkward. You first press one button, then hold another to focus. I just try to choose the backgrounds carefully. If manual focus is important, a DSLR like Linskyjack suggested is best.
But, I do believe the Panasonic FZ30 uses a focusing ring on the lens, a much better focusing system.


moper

[Mulderator]

Any recommendations on Tripods?:

What about these:

http://www.buydig.com/shop/searchres...=2100&pti=1050

What's the difference between the $29 one and the expensive ones?

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by Mulder

Any recommendations on Tripods?:

What about these:

http://www.buydig.com/shop/searchres...=2100&pti=1050

What's the difference between the $29 one and the expensive ones?

What you want is a sturdy tripod that won't fall apart when you look at it or get blown around in the wind. Remember, you will be trusting your purchase to an object that has the potential to break easily in some cases. You also want one with an attachment that can be well secured to the camera and is easily removed from or attached to the tripod. It saves a lot of time putting it all together each time you use it. In other words, the attachment can be screwed onto the camera and left there. You just remove the camera and attachment in one shot, fold up the tripod and your done. You don't need to spend a pile of dough though. If you buy that Canon I suggested it isn't as heavy as mine so you have a lot less to worry about. I looked at the link and think the $49.00 one would work but if I were you I would spent the extra $10.00 and get the $59.00 one. By the description it seems to be a bit better.

[PopPicker]

I use a Panasonic Lumix FZ30 for all my close ups. With the swivel LCD it's a breeze. This camera has optical image stabilser much needed in macro photography especially if a tripod is not accessable. I've also obtained a Hoya +10 macro lens that screws to the front enabling even closer work but as yet have needed to use it.

The FZ30 has a great macro auto focus and as moper says a roatating focusing ring for manual use . When in manual mode the centre of the screen magnifies to aid focusing.

I also have numerous other digicams including a DLSR, the FZ30 is one I use most of the time. It is easy, yet complex, the simplest menu structure of any camera I think. A high quality Leica lens and the best ergonomics of any camera I've ever owned and i've owned a few.


PP

[slipe]

With the good optical stabilization on the S2 I doubt you would need a tripod for most macro work. One is handy if you want to set up reflectors, remote strobes or build a light box. Those things are good if you are into antique watch movements or want the texture to show in a coin collection. You aren’t specific about what you want the macro for. I would get the camera first and determine whether your use might require a tripod.

The S2 is an excellent macro camera. In super macro mode it will focus right down to something touching the lens. That isn’t very practical unless something is backlighted, but you don’t need any macro adapters – you can’t get closer than that.

Most of the super macros including the S2 do pretty well at macro when zoomed. According to how small an area you want that can be a big help in both lighting and distortion. If you zoom out you can also use the flash. This page has a good review of the macro on the S2: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/page5.asp You will notice the S2 is “highly recommended” by dpreview and is on everyone’s best cameras list.

The S3 has been released but the price is off the wall since only a very few places have it. You might look at the differences and wait for the price to come down if it has features you prefer to the S2. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022111canons3is.asp

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by slipe

With the good optical stabilization on the S2 I doubt you would need a tripod for most macro work. One is handy if you want to set up reflectors, remote strobes or build a light box. Those things are good if you are into antique watch movements or want the texture to show in a coin collection. You aren’t specific about what you want the macro for. I would get the camera first and determine whether your use might require a tripod.

The S2 is an excellent macro camera. In super macro mode it will focus right down to something touching the lens. That isn’t very practical unless something is backlighted, but you don’t need any macro adapters – you can’t get closer than that.

Most of the super macros including the S2 do pretty well at macro when zoomed. According to how small an area you want that can be a big help in both lighting and distortion. If you zoom out you can also use the flash. This page has a good review of the macro on the S2: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/page5.asp You will notice the S2 is “highly recommended” by dpreview and is on everyone’s best cameras list.

The S3 has been released but the price is off the wall since only a very few places have it. You might look at the differences and wait for the price to come down if it has features you prefer to the S2. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022111canons3is.asp

Thanks slipe--I already went ahead and ordered the S2.

I need the Tripod for the video camera as well--can I use just one tripod? Do they have different connections? I have a Canon Optura.

[Guyzer]

The tripod should work with both.

[slipe]

Get a tripod with a handle for panning if you are using it for video. The ones with a handle usually have a good panning head.