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So I was wondering what cameras you guys were using to take pictures of your minis before posting them. I tried to take pictures with my cell, but that was the results:

http://imageshack.us/g/411/photo0264k.jpg/

I find them a little bit too blurry (cell has no flash...) and dark to make out any details.

So what would you guys suggest, I am wondering if you have cameras that aren't too expansive (I know a good camera + lens would be over 1k), I'm searching for something around 200-300 bucks if possible!!

My camera has flash yet i never use flash. Just use adequate lighting e.g lamps.

Something you'll notice in your picture is, you can see the quicker thicker picker uper's pattern behind your mini,
yet you cant see anything in front ( which closer )
So we can say you should move back abit.

Pentax istDL DSLR (about 5 years old) with Sigma EF-530DG Super TTL flashgun (output from Hiroshima whiteout at full power and 5' from the table to just barely lit at same range.
Tripod.

Self-timer and macro-mode.

ISO100 setting and 6mp picture size.



First things first. RTFM for your camera. Learn what the focus distance is for macro mode. DO NOT go closer than this.

Secondly,
Use a non-white background. Graduated or plain soft pastel blue works well.

thx guys

The Canon Powershot series are an excellent budget choice usually with a good macro mode.

You don't need a macro mode unless you are using a compact. You're better off with a camera with a large optical zoom (or a high focal point lens).

I use a NIKON D3100 DSLR these days (about 6 months old now). Any camera with a good optical zoom and an aperture priority mode (much, much better then a macro mode) is key to taking good pictures.

Edit: here's a shot I took with that camera without cropping or reducing the picture: click the picture for very close up inspection and high zoom



Taken in aperture priority, f8.0, ISO 100. Shutter speed is irrelevant because you'll have to get a tripod to take good shots.

I use a Canon EOS 450D, using macro and flash.

I made a 'light box' by placing an open A4 sketch book against the wall and positioning my desk lamp towards the wall.

You can check out my recent PM blog for the results

I find that pretty much any digital camera has a decent macro, even the cheap ones. I have a Finepix S5700 which produces decent photos.

You need good lighting - either make a light box or just go outside and take under natural light.

Use the macro setting and set the camer up for a time delay so you won't be moving the camera when the photo is taken. For this get a tripod, small ones are really cheap.

Another vote for Canon. Every photo in my gallery was taken w/ a Powershot A480. I have a couple daylight spectrum lamps on my desk that I used for lighting when I take the pics. Has every setting I'll ever need, takes reasonably decent shots with limited technical necessity... can't go wrong w/ one of these.