Cameras for gun building

[Acer Saccharum]

This was split from it's mother topic because it can and should stand on its own.

Cameras for gun photos:

Most of the little point and shoot cameras are really good. Make sure it has a 'macro' feature, which shows as a flower symbol on the selector knob.

Don't be sold on huge mega-pixels, you'll never need all of them. You have to downsize photos anyway to get them on the web. My old Canon was a 3 or 4 megapixel, and it was fine for all my gun photography. Canon, Panasonic, Sony, Nikon are all good.

You don't need lots of bells and whistles, but most cameras now come with a dizzying array of controls. But some of these will be essential to learn in order to get good photos in the workshop. Macro, center focus, timer, and F-stop are all good to learn about to get your best photo quality. A tripod may be your best friend for crisp photos in a workshop setting.

I have an SLR Nikon now, and it certainly takes good pictures. But it's a lot of money, AND it's bulky. If I travel to a museum or show, it's a pain because it's heavy and awkward. One day, after the economy bounces back, I'll get a small point and shoot.

[Brian]

I'll second what Acer said.  I had a nice little point and shoot.  Then we got a Cannon SLR so I gave the other one to our grand daughter.  The SLR is a fantastic camera, but it is capable of SOOOOO much it confuses the heck out of me.  And you need a couple of strong boys to pack all the gear and extra lenses for it.  It's great for studio work, or any other application where you need it's flexability, but some of the best gun pictures I've seen were taken on small point and shoot cameras that you can carry in your pocket.  I'm going to get another one for myself.

[mbokie5]

I'll second what Acer said.  I had a nice little point and shoot.  Then we got a Cannon SLR so I gave the other one to our grand daughter.  The SLR is a fantastic camera, but it is capable of SOOOOO much it confuses the heck out of me.  And you need a couple of strong boys to pack all the gear and extra lenses for it.  It's great for studio work, or any other application where you need it's flexability, but some of the best gun pictures I've seen were taken on small point and shoot cameras that you can carry in your pocket.  I'm going to get another one for myself.

Ok, so what sort of price range are we talking here?

I've been surfing for one and I could go maybe $250 max. F-stop, centre focus don't seem to be available in that range. but macro, timer and high megapixels seem readily available in my price range.

[mbokie5]

  Here's a real good one in your price range. Lumix (Panasonic)Z58. I think I paid 279.00. Leica lens,top drawer quality.Easy to operate.Big screen. Check them out.Fits in your shirt pocket. Best anti shake mechanism in the business.

Might that be Z-S-8?

I can't find a Z58.?

[Collector]

My personal favorite:

CANON SD960 IS - DIGITAL ELPH - DIGITAL IXUS110 IS

Takes GREAT photographs, easy to download, etc.  I'm decent, but I'm not a real techie-gadget guy, so I'm FOR anything that's easy to (learn to) use and really like this camera.

Make sure that you get the complete package; camera, battery, charger, program disk, USB download cable and manual (RTFM).  You only have to get a memory card.

Easy to find on the Internet and if you have PayPal, they can be found on E (for 'evil') Bay also.

Good luck!!

[Habu]

I've got a Nikon Coolpix L16 that I bought when I began to transition from film to digital (um, still working on that but I did finally get a DSLR).  The L16 is easy to operate (I use it as a loaner, figure 5 minutes to show someone how to use it). 

I see them once in a while on eBay selling for around $50, or on KEH.com for about the same or less with warrantee (another reason why it is my loaner!). 

[mbokie5]

Well, I searched and found, what I think leatherbelly was suggesting. It was on sale for $229, so I bought it. I'll try it after I get the battery charged. I can bring it back for 15 days.

I did look at the coolpix and it looked pretty good, too.

Too bad I didn't know about the Digital ELPH.

But I told the clerk what I needed and she gave me a quick demo and it looked pretty darned good.

[mbokie5]

Thanks Acer.

[Acer Saccharum]

Focus:

When you can choose your focus area, usually shown by a rectangle in the viewfinder or on the screen, whatever is in the rectangle is what the camera focuses on.  How many times have you taken a shot of your work, and what you want to see is blurry, and the tools behind are in sharp focus?

That's what the center focus will do for you.

The camera default autofocus picks up a broader area, and will focus on what it thinks you want in focus.

I think this focus choice is available to you if you use P mode (program), A (aperture priority) S (shutter priority) or M (manual mode). Generally, you cannot pick customized settings for anything when you're in Auto mode.

I am a camera neanderthal, but am occasionally getting some good pictures thru luck or perseverance. I can't give you the scientific approach, nor do I have the knowledge a pro has. But you will find that there are some good self help books that will guide you if you wish to go deeper into photography. I bought a book that was specific for my camera, which is really helpful in navigating all the complex choices of aprture, shutter and manual modes, and all the tricks that go with it.

Then I forget what I did.

Tom

[okieboy]

 I only know about the camera that I'm using, which is a Nikon Coolpix, but Ilike it. It is small, fairly simple to operate, has a close-up function and a timer function, and consistanty takes better photos than I expect in often poor lighting conditions.

[mbokie5]

 yep Sorry Mbokie, I can't see without my peepers. It's a ZS8. Had good luck with the ZS models. Bought one 2 years ago for my galfriend and she loves it. I have the next size bigger, the in-be-tweeny one that's between a pocket cam and a SLR. Takes great shots but stays home due to it's size. model DMC-FZ8. I'll let it go for150 bucks. cost 450.00. pm if interested. (trade for a Chambers Colonial lock)
  The ZS8 is a great little camera and I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've had good luck with all Panasonic electronics,from phones to TV's.

No problemo.

I managed to get the right one. I'll test it later tonight in regards to the original issue.

Thanks for the tip.

[timM]

Features not mentioned that I find desirable with a point and shoot compact include:
A see through view finder- This allows you to frame up subject matter in bright light without squinting at the LED monitor, which tend to wash out in bright light.
A wide angle feature- Longrifles ya know.  Micro feature is also important to me.  tim

[Acer Saccharum]

Leather, on A (aperture priority) you can close down the 'aperture' to F22 on these cameras and get very good depth of field. Turn off the flash and set your WB (white balance) to the kind of shop lighting you have (incandescent, florescent, etc). You can turn off flash, but probably need a tripod in the shop light.


This is with my old point and shoot Canon. No flash. Tripod, 2 seconds timer.



This shot is OK, but it's a bit yellow. I could have tried a different WB to get different tone.



This one, I'd say I got the WB perfect, hard maple stock, color is just right.