Digital Camera for Amp Pics?

[David Root]

I have an old cheap POS Kodak digital camera that is OK for snapshots of yer grandkids etc. but doesn't cut it for the serious biz of razor sharp chassis interiors etc. I've been building one-off mostly original designs and need to document layout details so if I need to duplicate one I can do it easily. My current build is crammed into a relatively small chassis so closeup angles are going to be an issue.

Naturally I don't want to spend a bazillion $ but I think I need a focusable lens with a macro feature. How about definition quality, pixels, flash etc.? One thing I am fussy about is accurate color rendition, too.

What say ye?

[surfneptune]

If somehow you could find a new or even used Canon Rebel xt, the 18mm-55mm lens it came with gets plenty close. If you like taking photos the extra-expense will be justified in the reward of great shots!

[908ssp]

Look for the cheapest thing with changeable lenses. I can just about guaranty that it will do what you want. I bought an Olympus but the Rebel or Nikon will work just as well. Cost-co is great place to buy as they have a no questions asked return so you can try it out for time and they are cheap as the shady mail order places.

[David Root]

That's what I need alright! Thanx for the tips guys.

[captain_rusty]

On the budget side, I have a Casio Exilim Z -something or other, which takes great pics, and has a macro position. You can manually focus the lens, if you like.
No interchangeable lenses, of course, but I've been really very pleased with its faultless performance over the couple of years I've had it. Great value for money.

[ampdan]

I just bought a Canon A550 for this very reason, 200 bucks.

[NitroLiq]

I use a little canon digital for mine but the problem is that since the flash is in the body, it reflects of the chassis aluminum blowing out the highlights. I usually have to turn the flash off and mount it somewhere so it doesn't shake, using lamps for lighting.

Get a cheap digitial SLR or a used second-hand Canon 20D, Nikon D70 and get a fast prime that can do a bit of macro as well as full-shots....maybe start with a 50mm 1.8 since they're usually the cheapest in cost out of all the primes. At least with an SLR type of setup, if you use a flash, you can use a diffuser or bounce the flash off the ceiling for more natural light.

[Tonegeek]

My Canon A530 works great. <$200 now I am sure.

[David Root]

Thanx for all your suggestions.

I recently tried a friend's new Olympus, rangefinder w/macro setting. $200 at Costco. Even then I couldn't get any in-focus pics at all, and had lots of local flash burn-out too, so I think I'll try to find a used SLR.

At least I can focus an SLR, as I'm used to them from 20 years ago. My wife has an old Minolta SR 70 which I think has tele and wide angle zoom lenses too. Would they be likely to fit any digital SLRs?

[captain_rusty]

Thanx for all your suggestions.

I recently tried a friend's new Olympus, rangefinder w/macro setting. $200 at Costco. Even then I couldn't get any in-focus pics at all, and had lots of local flash burn-out too, so I think I'll try to find a used SLR.

At least I can focus an SLR, as I'm used to them from 20 years ago. My wife has an old Minolta SR 70 which I think has tele and wide angle zoom lenses too. Would they be likely to fit any digital SLRs?

I was chatting with my brother about this (he's a former professional photographer). His view is that although some manufacturers offer backwards compatibility on their digital cameras, the actual design of the old lenses themselves, even if they're terrific optically, is in some fundamental way wrong for digital. I'm afraid I'm incapable of giving any technical details (my brain hurts )
His solution has been to basically forget all his Nikon "analog" gear, and start again with digital (Olympus, in fact, I think...)

[s2]

I use a Minolta Dimage xt pocket shooter. It is really awesome at close-ups if the lighting is right. I just take all my pics outdoors in the evening and it works great. My GF's Canon something or other is lousy at close-ups but outshines mine in darker settings and strange lighting (like concerts).