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Alright, I'm starting to do some custom model painting/customization work for folks. I'd like to take pictures. But my camera isn't up to it.

So, I need a lightbox (which I'm building) and a new camera, which is awkward. I don;t have much cash.

What do I need, really need, to get shots of miniatures that aren't blurry messes? Makes and models would be a nice idea too, but cheaper is better. Which I know is a problem - you get what you pay for. But hopefully you folks can help anyway.

What camera do you have now? How many megapixels

But a used SLR. It will be your best option.

 nectarprime wrote:
But a used SLR. It will be your best option.

But that isn't necessary. A lot of light, a light box and probably a 5 megapixel camera is good enough. Take the photo from far enough away so that the model is in focus, since cameras have a minimum focusing distance. Then crop the image.

Many compacts, even really old ones, have a macro function. Use that. Megapixels aren't important, 2 will be enough.

Your iPhone and some daylight can suffice.

If you have a tablet try using the camera on that. It's what i use to take my pictures and they turn out ok.

Super Newb wrote:
What camera do you have now? How many megapixels

I have a 10 mega pixels Alba SL1031, but it will need replacing - the buttons aren't all working and the flash is stuck on since my kids dropped it.

No Iphone or Tablet - I'm cheap and prefer a phone that calls and texts people, rather than changing into a small robot to go get coffee. Also, poor.

You will find much useful information in these articles. Make sure you read this one, especially.

If you're anywhere near Portsmouth, I've got an old Fuji Finepix 3megapixel camera I'm willing to sell...

 Jon Garrett wrote:

Super Newb wrote:
What camera do you have now? How many megapixels

I have a 10 mega pixels Alba SL1031, but it will need replacing - the buttons aren't all working and the flash is stuck on since my kids dropped it.

No Iphone or Tablet - I'm cheap and prefer a phone that calls and texts people, rather than changing into a small robot to go get coffee. Also, poor.

Does the button to take pictures still work, does the built in auto focus still work? If they do, then you are fine. Cover the flash with tape. Shine a lot of light on your stuff. Have the camera far enough back from the models so that the camera can get it in focus. take a picture. crop the picture. Done.

Before I get into this, background: Long time photographer (I used to use this stuff called "film"), I personally own a Canon 7D, and my job is working on airborne imagery platforms for mapping and such.

Things to know:

1) Megapixels are not the measure of a camera. Anyone who tells you that mgpx is the most important thing to look simply does not know what they are talking about. ESPECIALLY in macrophotgraphy. We have two main cameras we use at my work, one is 10.1 mpx, the other 26 mpx. Without fail, the images from the 10.1 are far FAR superior.

2) Lenses have minimum focal distance. There's a lot of funny math, but basically you want a camera that has a "macro" setting (the button or indicator usually looks like a flower) or if you are getting a camera with changeable glass you want a lens designed for macro, or with a focal distance less than 35mm (but not a fisheye lens).

Most any newer point and click camera will suffice. I would recommend staying with these brands: Canon, Sony, Nikon. Other are also good, but those brands I can vouch for. They will almost all have a macro setting, and the auto focus/exposure will be fairly reliable. They also usually try to lure you in with the digital zoom feature. This is the worst thing to happen to photography in a very long time, even worse than instagram. It's basically like taking an image file on your computer and zooming on it until it gets pixelated. When shooting macro you shouldn't need zoom anyway, just move the camera.

If you are going for a DSLR or any other camera with swappable glass, you need to find an appropriate lens. The advantage is that you will almost always find better electronics (white balance, autofocus, exposure sensor), but it's more expensive.

http://www.engadget.com/reviews/?filter1=&filter2=Cameras&filter3=

They have a lot of good reviews, on all ranges.

The best advice I can give is that a decent point and click will be $90-150 msrp. You can, of course, always find them for much less.

Super Newb wrote:
What camera do you have now? How many megapixels

Not generally the best question to ask, rather how big is the sensor. Try and pick up a 6-8MP DSLR because it's less pixel density on a APS-C size sensor. For example a Nikon D80, Canon EOS 400D or Pentax K10. All of those would be perfect for the price range and with a decent 50mm f/2.0 lens or even the 18-55mm kit lens that would go with, would be great for taking pics of minis.

I shoot with a Pentax K7 and a Sigma 105mm 2.8 macro lens.


If you wanna stray away from SLRs then pick up a decent "Bridge" Camera with a macro setting.

Unless you're gonna blow stuff up past A1 size, you'll never need oodles of Mpix.

I got my 14M Samsung PL210 for about $150. Check my gallery for photos.

Really good because it automatically goes into Macro mode when photographing models. No need to mess with settings.

Then I bought a small 40cm light tent from eBay for $20.. just waiting on it to arrive so I can see what it's like.

 Shenloanne wrote:

Super Newb wrote:
What camera do you have now? How many megapixels

Not generally the best question to ask,

I agree, but in this case it is! He was having a problem with blurry pictures (which means he had the camera physically too close to the model). If he sets the camera further back and takes an in focus picture all he has to do is crop it to have a good enough picture. Unless his camera is only 2 or 3 megapixels. Then cropping is bad. But since his is 10, as long as he can take a picture in focus, he's fine. So he doesn't need anything. The original poster doesn't want to spend money and you're telling him to get a DSLR? Talk about missing the point.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

maceria wrote:
1) Megapixels are not the measure of a camera.

Nope, but you need some in order to take pictures of tiny things.

Most any newer point and click camera will suffice.

Yup, so would most older point and click digital cameras.

If you are going for a DSLR or any other camera with swappable glass

He doesn't want to spend money. He said the cheaper the better. Which is fine (and very wise).

Super Newb - Yes, the picture button still works. I assume the auto focus works because normal photos don't look like a hideous mess. All other options are out, though.

And yes, I'd love to drop a ton of cash on a good camera to get me through the years. I also have 4 kids, a holiday coming up, and bills.

Oh God the bills.

So my budget is limited. I'm going to try banging together a light box style thing to see how much that improves my current camera, and hope I can get away with that for now. If not, I shall pursue some of the suggestions here.

The under £100 suggestions, anyway.