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General discussion

What camera to photograph miniatures?

Mar 28, 2005 2:15PM PST

I need to buy a new digital camera that will allow me to take good, clear, sharp, high resolution photographs of miniature doll faces. I need details to show up clearly. I need them to look like photographs of models; showing every detail of these small facial features. The dolls are barbie size and bigger 16 inch.. Basically, I need to be able to zoom in and get a sparkling clear 800x600 high resolution digital photo from something that is about an inch in real life..

I need recommendations on what to buy, please. I have no idea what to get because it seems like most of these digital cameras are created for tourists and not for taking the kind of pictures I need. The only others are for professional photographers who can afford to spend $1000+ on a camera.. Well, I am not either.

I really don't want to spend over $300 if I don't have to. I am Not going to spend more than $500. I do not have that kind of money for something I only need for one thing and will hardly otherwise use. I already have a digital camera and I never use it, but it doesn't work well enough to take the pictures I need.

Also, I do not want a camera with a fixed-focal-length or retractable zoom lens. Those seem like more of the same badly made type of camera which I already have which always takes bad pictures, which cost $400 new. Unless I use the flash and cover it with tissue paper, all my photos come out blurry. It's ridiculous for a camera that cost so much.. This time, I want a lens that I can manually adjust and focus to get a good picture. Also, an adjustible flash or something. I basically want something like the good old fashioned 35mm where everything is adjustible (I hate automatic everything.. it works like $@&%), and you can get new lenses for if you want (especially ones that magnify objects), shutter speed can be chosen, etc.. except one that outputs digital.

So please help. I need to find something soon.

Discussion is locked

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Table Top Photography
Mar 28, 2005 10:50PM PST

The digital camera you are describing will cost about $700 for the body (Canon Digital Rebel 300D) and about $200 for a close focus or macro lens.

A 35mm film camera will cost about $220 for the body (Canon Rebel T2) and about $200 for a close focus or macro lens.

You had a couple of references to flash.
While good lighting is essential to table top photography, flash is not a good choice.

Here is a link that tells you how to build a table top studio:

http://www.shortcourses.com/studio/tabletop/studio.htm

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Flash
Mar 29, 2005 7:32AM PST

"You had a couple of references to flash.
While good lighting is essential to table top photography, flash is not a good choice."

The only reason I was using flash was because without flash my current digital camera won't even take a clear picture. Everything comes out a big blur without the flash.

So you are saying I should get a digital SRL camera with a special macro lens.. That's about the conclusion I came to too after doing more research. I can't afford $900 though. Any more suggestions?

Actually, the DR is only around $375 some places.. I will also start looking in the used ads.

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The blur is probably coming from moving the camera while
Mar 29, 2005 12:59PM PST

the shutter is open. Put the camera on a tripod, squeeze the shutter gently, and walk away for 10-15 seconds.

My old Nikon 4500 takes good macro shots, but doesn't have a manual focus. It's got to be able to lock on something. It also holds the shutter open in low light until it's got enough light captured. It catches me that way a lot. If may hold the shutter open for several seconds.

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its a very old digital camera anyway
Apr 8, 2005 8:20AM PDT

I've never used a camera that blurred so easily and it didn't used to do that, so I dunno. It's ultra sensitive. Doesn't matter because I'm going to get a new one.

Thanks for the advice and the link, snapshot. That helps so much. What a great link. Just what I needed.