Can someone recommend a nice digi camera. I am struggling with producing decent close up shots with my current one, Fujifilm e550.
Thanks.
Oh, yeah, and I'd like to keep it under $600.
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My Canon Eos Rebel XT 350D has everything I want, especially after adding a telephoto. Unfortunately, with the telephoto and 1 gig and 2 gig cards and polarizers and UV filters, it's about $1500 but well worth it.
Canon PowerShot S80. You'll never get great concert pics of your honey, but for everything else... 
You see everything, don't you? 
Thanks Board-O, I'll look it into it.
Are you talking about macro-mode close-up shots here? If so, it looks like your E550 shouldn't be too bad, but it depends on what your quality standards are.
I like my Canon PowerShot A620 overall, and have taken good (to me) close-up shots with it. Here are a couple of reviews that look specifically at the macro capabilities of these cameras for a comparison:
Fujifilm Finepix E550
Canon Powershot A620
Don't know that the A620 is the best for close-ups (undoubtably not), but searching for the best close-up camera is not an easy thing.
I like my Canon PowerShot A620 overall, and have taken good (to me) close-up shots with it. Here are a couple of reviews that look specifically at the macro capabilities of these cameras for a comparison:
Fujifilm Finepix E550
Canon Powershot A620
Don't know that the A620 is the best for close-ups (undoubtably not), but searching for the best close-up camera is not an easy thing.
I shoot mainly with a Nikon D70. Lenses are infinite as any Nikor lens will fit. YOu can get the D50, which is very similar for about $500-$600, body only. After that lenses can take you into any range you want. Check out the digital camera geek boards for more advice.
BTW, for overall quality and speed/reponsiveness you should definitely check out an SLR, like what the Canon or Nikon. They're user-friendly but give you unbelievable quality and speed compared to the point-and-shoot typical digicam. The drawback is the size- these are definitely much bulkier. To overcome this I bought my wife a small kodak digicam for her purse to compliment the SLR.
Thanks for advice guys, much appreciated. After looking at some of the shots made with E550,( flickr) I guess it isn't all that bad. Maybe light management is my problem, I don't know. It frustrating at times, you know, when you have the composition nailed and the product is beautiful, but you just can't get it to look appealing. All these shadows, glare... I had it all worked out with my amateur food pics, and now I just have to find a perfect setting/camera scenario so I can make plastic and metal look desirable.... Basically I need a crush course in digital photography. 
May have to do just that.
Thanks again.
May have to do just that. Thanks again.
Agreed, especially about the memory card. Don't skimp. H=Get the fastest one you can find- the Sandisk Extreme III Flash is what I use.
I have a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-R1. It is a 10.3 megapixel beast of a camera (2.2lbs) that I just love.
If you are looking for something compact, forget this camera. If you NEED a SLR style camera, this isn't for you as it has a fixed Carl Zeiss 24-120 5x optical lens (which is great).
It should sell in the $600 range.
BTW.... Buy as big a card as you can find. I have 3GB total (a 2GB and 1GB) which is more than enough IMO but the prices are getting ridiculously low, so go big.
If you are looking for something compact, forget this camera. If you NEED a SLR style camera, this isn't for you as it has a fixed Carl Zeiss 24-120 5x optical lens (which is great).
It should sell in the $600 range.
BTW.... Buy as big a card as you can find. I have 3GB total (a 2GB and 1GB) which is more than enough IMO but the prices are getting ridiculously low, so go big.
I had the Fuji. It lasted exactly 1 week. Hated it. Slow autofocus, blurry images. Difficult to come to terms with. Moire. I returned it and got a Nikon D50. Love it.
Disclaimer: I am a professional photographer
http://www.pobega.com
Disclaimer: I am a professional photographer
http://www.pobega.com
Mike
I saw your photos on your wesite last week and meant to comment. Nice stuff. I don't do it porfessionally, but I have been a photog. for many years as well.
I have the Nikon D70 and if you want EXTREME closu-up get a designated macro lens. I have one and you can literaly, not figurativly take a photo of the hairs on a gnats ass
I saw your photos on your wesite last week and meant to comment. Nice stuff. I don't do it porfessionally, but I have been a photog. for many years as well.
I have the Nikon D70 and if you want EXTREME closu-up get a designated macro lens. I have one and you can literaly, not figurativly take a photo of the hairs on a gnats ass
quote:Originally posted by zblang:
Mike
I saw your photos on your website last week and meant to comment. Nice stuff. I don't do it porfessionally, but I have been a photog. for many years as well.
I have the Nikon D70 and if you want EXTREME close-up get a designated macro lens. I have one and you can literaly, not figurativly take a photo of the hairs on a gnats ass
Grun,
The problem with your photograph is mostly lighting (cheap flash). It’s a too hot in the center and fades to darks too quickly. Also, work on the composition. You've got too many objects going on in the backdground, especially some items in the distance. Try using a black cloth backdrop as the sole background image. If you want professional grade images, just buying a better camera is not going to solve these problems - although, a better camera like an SLR will handle the flash better.
It looks like the plate is under a light fixture, so try taking the photograph without a flash. You will have to hold the camera very still for a longer period.
The problem with your photograph is mostly lighting (cheap flash). It’s a too hot in the center and fades to darks too quickly. Also, work on the composition. You've got too many objects going on in the backdground, especially some items in the distance. Try using a black cloth backdrop as the sole background image. If you want professional grade images, just buying a better camera is not going to solve these problems - although, a better camera like an SLR will handle the flash better.
It looks like the plate is under a light fixture, so try taking the photograph without a flash. You will have to hold the camera very still for a longer period.
Tabletop photography is an art. I do it with light boxes, shoot throughs, umbrellas, and the like. The Fujis built in flash, as most cameras buit ins are weak. Off the camera is beas from multiple directions. a good knowledge of exposure is helpful.