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Question

Need help finding correct digital camera

Dec 28, 2011 11:50AM PST

I need an inexpensive digital to do nothing but photograph camera equipment I put on eBay. Of utmost importance is obtaining true colors automatically or with white balance control. The display needs to show an accurate representation of the recorded image. I need either stabilization or remote control or timer. I usually photograph components (bodies, lenses, accessories) from an inch to a foot across so I need good sharp focus over a reasonable zoom range and lens to subject range. I prefer to work with longer subject distances and greater focal lengths to allow room for better lighting.

Does anything in particular come to mind?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Lighting is more important
Dec 28, 2011 2:00PM PST

Any cheap camera will do what you want. The only caveat is your imposition of obtaining true colors automatically. Personally, I do not really see how that is important, because even if you post photos with accurate color, the person looking at the photos needs to have a monitor that is calibrated for accurate color. Regardless, a light box, a few lights, a tripod, and a camera will give you the results you want. You can buy all that stuff on eBay, or you can make a light box: http://youtu.be/--wO67tpj8I

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Lighting
Dec 29, 2011 12:35AM PST

Thanks for the reply. I do use a light box but photographing mostly black against almost any background is a challenge. Most of the digital cameras I have want to give the glossy blacks a brown tint. I have a Fuji 3800 that does fairly well using florescent lamps with an incandescent white balance. I also find that with the cameras I have, the tints seen on the screen are not necessarily what's recorded on the chip. Colors obtained with flash are often much closer but flash doesn't work well with closeups.