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Hey guys,

as the title suggests, I need help finding a good camera for taking high res up close pictures of models.

I want something that can take very high quality up close pictures, I am not concerned if it doesnt also do "far away" or landscape pictures.

Id like to keep the total cost under 500$


recommend me some stuff please, links are much appreciated

Wouldnt a normal camera work?

Hey I can answer that question for you! I'm a photographer!

What you are looking for is 2 things. High Megapixel (MP) for 'high resolution' (the old film format is equvilent to 22MP), this specification mainly determins how large you can print your photo without losing details.

A 12MP can easily produce 10" x 12" prints without detail lost.

Most current point and shoot are 16MP and higher.

The second factor 'close up' is more problematic. 'Close up' or Macro lens are generally expensive for good results. The picture quality on White Drawf are proboly done with more expensive equipment.

My advice is to buy a POINT AND SHOOT camera (even second hand) with good MACRO function for ~$350. Then buy a cheap tripod to keep your phots steady, and a 'mini' studio set (lightbox, lights, backdrops) for ~$50.

Your total should be under $500 with tax included.

msg for more questions if you have them.

Jeebus that is expensive. How would a 12mp canon camera do lol?

Point and Shoot cameras (ie cheap 12mp canon camera) acturally have pros and cons. you need to decide if yo can accept the cons

The pros are that P&S camera are ideal for macro photography due to the small diamater of the lens, which allows a short focal distance meaning you can move your camera right up to the model and still retail focus. Plus another benefit is that at such short focal distance it automatically creates a nice depth of field (model clear, background blurry)

The cons are that because the lens is so small, pictures taken up close (1-5cm away) will show distortion around the edges (ie, a straight line not straight). Also there is limited control of your depth of field becuase it is predetermined by the P&S camera's F range.

but for $500 (tax uncluded) to get a camera and essential tools the reulsts are not bad.

FYI I've found that taking pictures using the macro function are susceptible to parallax error & a very narrow field of focus.
Here's 2 examples of what I mean:





On the 1st photo, notice how the square base he's sat on has been distorted.
On the 2nd, notice how the sword is out of focus yet the head & body are not.

In this last phot you'll notice that the whole model is in focus:


The way I do this is by setting up my camera about 1m away, not using the macro function & zooming in. I'm getting much better results this way.
BTW I use a tripod with a remote release (or the timer function if I've miss-placed the cable), a light tent* & at least 3 lamps. More lights from different angles = better pictures.
I know these are expensive but I've found them really really good (+ they don't get hot, just slightly warm as they have energy saving bulbs):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PhotoSEL-LS11E22-Tabletop-Studio-Lighting/dp/B002I9E8TU/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1401391426&sr=8-13&keywords=studio+lighting

* this is the light tent I use but found the lights are pretty crappy (too short & get seriously hot):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Studio-colour-Background-Tripod/dp/B0064MRG64/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1401391535&sr=8-3&keywords=light+tent

neat, ill try that too, thanks!

Canon Powershot for about £100-£150


Canon SLR for about £600


You can still get perfectly good pctures out of relatively cheap cameras. Just check reviews and make sure the macro function is decent.

Macro is not a necessity. As long as you can get reasonably close you can always crop the picture.

Don't buy a point and shoot.

You want a camera with the right lens and full manual control.

You are best off buying a used mirrorless body, used macro lens and a thrifty manual flash like a yongnuo 460.

old film Manual SLR lenses can be had very cheap because they do not autofocus like modern lenses. You do not need autofocus, actually manual focus is much preffered for macro photography because of accuracy issues. A manual lens will allow you to fully control focus and how much depth of field in your photo because it lets you control the iris size.

I recommend you put together a setup that will do macro very very well.
Here's a recommended setup

Panasonic GF3 ($109)
Minolta 50mm f3.5 macro lens ($56)
Minolta to M43 adapter ($10)
Yongnuo 460 Flashgun ($50)

----
Total = $225 + postage costs

Here's links

used Panasonic GF3 ($109)
http://www.keh.com/camera/Panasonic-Micro-4scfs3-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-MP024018834830?r=FE

example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zom8yRSEZ5M

used Minolta MD 50mm f3.5 macro lens ($56)
http://www.keh.com/camera/Minolta-Manual-Focus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-MI060000518750?r=FE

example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CjjDnXQ6lw

MD to m43 lens adapter (about $10): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adapter-f-Minolta-MD-Lens-micro-M43-4-3-GH1-E-P1-G1-/180506210158?hash=item2a07022f6e&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&afsrc=1

For what the OP describes... I suggest using a modern day smart phone.
I was shocked... SHOCKED when i upgraded from a brick phone to a Samsung S4 a while ago and the camera was really very good for everything except distance ; which is clearly because of the tiny lens aperture, while the actual sensor is as good as many expensive cameras.

wufai wrote:
Hey I can answer that question for you! I'm a photographer!

What you are looking for is 2 things. High Megapixel (MP) for 'high resolution' (the old film format is equvilent to 22MP), this specification mainly determins how large you can print your photo without losing details.

A 12MP can easily produce 10" x 12" prints without detail lost.

Most current point and shoot are 16MP and higher.

The second factor 'close up' is more problematic. 'Close up' or Macro lens are generally expensive for good results. The picture quality on White Drawf are proboly done with more expensive equipment.

My advice is to buy a POINT AND SHOOT camera (even second hand) with good MACRO function for ~$350. Then buy a cheap tripod to keep your phots steady, and a 'mini' studio set (lightbox, lights, backdrops) for ~$50.

Your total should be under $500 with tax included.

msg for more questions if you have them.

Well this is some good info I am going to have to disagree with your high megapixel info.

High Megapixel doesn't mean a better photo. You want a LARGE sensor to give you better quality pictures. If you had an old Nikon/Canon/Sony etc DSLR camera with 8MP and a point and shoot with 16MP the DSLR would take clearer photos. That is because the sensor size is much bigger on the DSLR which is where the light is gathered.

Now saying that DSLR's are reasonably priced (you can buy a Canon T3 for $300) but then a macro lens is $300-$400+.

Any point and shoot camera would do fine though. You don't need to spend $500 to take good photos. Just go to your local Best Buy. Futureshop where ever they sell cameras and go ask the guy which point and shoot is good for taking macro photos. Even bring a mini, or even just your car keys or whatever and use the test models and take a few and see what you think.
*Remember that the LCD screen on the back makes the picture look ultra clear compared to looking at it on your computer screen.

Most point and shoots have decent macro functions so something in the $200 range will do you just fine you don't need to go over the top.