Digital camera/camcorder experts needed?

[Dick G.]

I know this is not a tech per say for corvette question so I will keep it brief. I would like to know what model/brand of camera/camcorder some of you use for those hard to photo/film details like the engine pad numbers type of details. Even with my manual focus/macro I can not get a clean focus of the harder to see areas up close. More lens? Thanks Dick Gutman

[Stephen L.]

Re: Digital camera/camcorder experts needed?

I use a digital camera with a close up capability. I do need to select the closeup capability or it won't focus when taking close up photos. Your camera probably has this feature. Check the owners manual

[John H.]

Re: Digital camera/camcorder experts needed?

Dick -

I use a five-year-old Sony DSC-S70 3.3MP camera; with the Macro function selected, it focuses down to 1-5/8" from the lens surface. I shoot most of my stuff at the standard 640x480 resolution (about 55K .jpg images) so I don't have to re-size images for posting (they don't require horizontal scrolling at that size), and I shoot all my magazine stuff at max resolution (2048x1536, about 1.4MB .jpg images) to keep the photo editor happy. It will also shoot TIFF images, but they're HUGE (about 15MB) and difficult to work with, so I don't use that capability.

[Don 42616]

Re: Digital camera/camcorder experts needed?

Dick, I use an Olympic 5 mp with Macro. If I take closeups at 12-24" using sunlight only. (no glare) I get sharp detail. I use High Quality setting. Don

[Gary C.]

Re: Digital camera/camcorder experts needed?

Dick, I personally use a Canon Powershot A95 which has macro down to 1 1/2 inches. Turn the flash off and it takes great pad pictures, etc. even in limited daylight and a photo can be saved in all the popular formats. Resolution from extremely hi-res to e-mail size. Did a lot of research on a new model last year and here are some of the web sites that provide good reviews and Internet pricing. Good luck, Gary....

http://www.dcresource.com

http://www.dpreview.com

http://www.steves-digicams.com

[Wayne M.]

With a Nikon S4

6 Megapixels, but at max resolution, gives a 2.4 megapixel (compressed) jpeg file. Good for emailing when detail is involved, but for posting on a site like this, 1024 x 768 is supposed to be the optimal size to fill a 17 inch monitor screen, with minimum scrolling. Scrolling is GOOD when you want to zoom in on certain details, or when you right-click copy to your hard disk for further zooming.

This shot of a what's left of a trim tag off 1965 VIN 01497 (S-body) was originally shot at maximim 2.4 MB, then re-sized in-camera by cropping and zooming to 600 KB. Then loaded to my site at Photobucket, where it (surprisingly) appears as a 152KB (1024 x 768) file. Don't know why, as I'm supposed to have 1MB max size per shot allowed on this free account.

But even at this resolution, which is 15 times LESS than the original picture, you can see the tell-tale stress marks (à la Grenning/Sinor book) from the die-stamping process (see the number "9"). Excuse the dirt and corrosion, as this is (was ?) a convertible that sat in a Spokane WA boneyard for many years.

Much more detail is possible with this camera, but restrictions on uploading to a photo hosting site prohibit sharing of the true resolution.

This stuff is all new to me so it will take a while to master all the intricacies. All I can say is that I'm like a kid in a candy shop with this new toy.

[Rick S.]

Re: With a Nikon S4

I also have a Nikon S4, my son gave it to me for Christmas, and I love it. He researched what would be best for the close shots that I might take of the car. He also said that it was good for pea brained old men,LOL. He happens to own a digital Canon SLR that was damaged just before he left for England last month, so he came over and reclaimed my gift. He sent me an email the other day and is really impressed with his/my camera. I used to fool with photography before they went digital but I think there are too many choices to make an easy decision, so good luck in your search.
Rick
P.S. What I really like about the S4 is the swivel lense....it allows you to get into tight spots and still see what you are about to shoot.

[Rick S.]

Re: With a Nikon S4

Here is a picture of block date code taken with my Nikon S4 leaning over the fender.




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[Dick G.]

Re: With a Nikon S4

Thanks for the replies. I currently have a Sony DSC-F717 which is a great camera but is lousy at taking Macro type pictures. So, I will be looking at cameras today. I will show the salesman a quarter and tell him I want a close-up of this quarter. The Nikon S4 PIX are what I want. Thanks Dick Gutman

[Charles M.]

Re: macro settings

Dick

There is an alternative to using a macro setting. Set the camera to its highest quality and hold it as close as you can while still getting VERY GOOD focus. You need to find out what your minimum focus distance is for your lens. Get the picture into your computer and use an editing program to zoom in on the subject. Then crop away the outer portion, leaving a "close-up" of the dimentions you desire. This procedure is what makes "the more megapixels the better", high quality settings mean high detail for editing. I do this routinely with my Canon S70 7 megapixel pocket size camera.

Chuck

[Dick G.]

Re: macro settings

Chuck Thanks for the reply. Yesterday, I bought on Ebay, a new 10x macro lens along with it comes a 2,3,4x lens for $20.00. It's cheaper than buying a new camera. My Sony DSC-f717 has 5 megapixels. My computer has photo editing software but only the wife uses it to date. Well now I will need to use it. I'll try your suggestions. Thanks again. Dick