Camera Recommendations

[Garm]

I'm going to buy a new camera, soon, and need some recommendations. I couldn't find a thread covering this topic anywhere in the boards and didn't think it was important enough for the hardware board. If there is a thread, please post a link and I'll go browse through.

Right now, I've got a Cannon Powershot of some sort that I got maybe four years ago. The problem that I've always had with it is that it takes decent photos of my miniatures. I want something that takes great (or even pretty good) photos of small stuff (32mm). A more recent problem that I've had is that the camera is stupidly slow. My toddler is getting faster so I need a faster camera. I'm looking at Micro Four Thirds cameras because they seem to pack speed with a size that would conveniently fit in a jacket pocket.

Anyway... if anyone has an opinions on this, I'd be happy to hear them.

[Jacque]

Price range?

[Garm]

Oh, umm... good question. Ought to have included that in my post.

I'm thinking I could go as high as 1500 USD.

[Frenetic Pony]

$1,500... you don't need that much for a solid micro 4/3. Just go to dpreview.com, all your digital photography needs. Then again it might be a little complex, in which case just go for a Sony NEX 5 (whatever the newest model is when you buy) or, well look for yourself if that's too big (it is rather big). There are smaller mirrorless cameras, that aren't as good.

[Carnildo]

Right now, I've got a Cannon Powershot of some sort that I got maybe four years ago. The problem that I've always had with it is that it takes decent photos of my miniatures. I want something that takes great (or even pretty good) photos of small stuff (32mm). A more recent problem that I've had is that the camera is stupidly slow. My toddler is getting faster so I need a faster camera.

You've actually got two conflicting requirements here.

Digital SLRs use an autofocus technique (phase detection) which is faster than the (cheaper and slightly more accurate) contrast detection technique used by point-and-shoot cameras, so a DSLR is better for taking pictures of your kid.

A point-and-shoot camera tends to have better close-up capabilities and a higher depth of field than any DSLR without a dedicated macrophotography lens. Unless you're willing to spend the money, an average point-and-shoot will do a better job of photographing your miniatures than a DSLR.

[Ashlah]

A point-and-shoot camera tends to have better close-up capabilities and a higher depth of field than any DSLR without a dedicated macrophotography lens. Unless you're willing to spend the money, an average point-and-shoot will do a better job of photographing your miniatures than a DSLR.

But for $1,500 they probably could get an DSLR and a macro lens, no? Then you'd have a great camera for kid pictures and macro pictures. This is all assuming you're okay with the size of an SLR compared to a point and shoot.

[Роберт]

Or with a budget like that he could get the next generation of serious digital cameras, the Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readf ... angemode=1

If I had that kinda budget and was wanting to get into nice photography, that's definitely what I'd look at first.

[Carnildo]

A point-and-shoot camera tends to have better close-up capabilities and a higher depth of field than any DSLR without a dedicated macrophotography lens. Unless you're willing to spend the money, an average point-and-shoot will do a better job of photographing your miniatures than a DSLR.

But for $1,500 they probably could get an DSLR and a macro lens, no? Then you'd have a great camera for kid pictures and macro pictures. This is all assuming you're okay with the size of an SLR compared to a point and shoot.

Probably. 1:1 macro lenses aren't cheap, though -- last time I looked, you'd be spending $700-$1000 for the lens alone.

[PhoenixEnigma]

Nikon and Canon both have first-party macro lenses for <$300 at B and H right now. I paid $40 all told for my K-mount 50mm and extention tubes. SLR macro photography isn't out of the question at that pricepoint.

[Garm]

Thanks for the links to dpreview. That site has a LOT of information on it.

Right now I'm looking at the Olympus OM-D which has some very complimentary previews (out in April).
The Samsung NX-200 is also very nice looking and some of the Canon Rebels offer what seems to be a lot of camera for the money. I'm not very concerned about the ability to take video, which seems to be a big selling point of the Samsung (I've got Kodak's clone of the Flip).

edit: spelling.

[Роберт]

Thanks for the links to dpreview. That site has a LOT of information on it.

Right now I'm looking at the Olympus OM-D which has some very complimentary previews (out in April).
The Samsung NX-200 is also very nice looking and some of the Canon Rebels offer what seems to be a lot of camera for the money. I'm not very concerned about the ability to take video, which seems to be a big selling point of the Samsung (I've got Kodak's clone of the Flip).

edit: spelling.

Fancy. Sounds nice. Photography is one of many things that I would totally get into if I had the time and money. Macros are awesome, as are HDR images. I like stuff that gives you a really unique perspective on something and makes something common really beautiful, like close-ups of tiny flowers or bugs or whatever.

Anyway, good luck with your search!

[Garm]

Duuuuuude... HDR is coooooool. Thanks for the link cuz that is totally awesome and I need to try it out. TIL about HDR.

[Sungura]

I highly recommend Photomatrix for hdr processing.

Also we have a photography thread...recently went on a hdr sharing kick. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=70102&p=2905260#p2884379
Camera discussions frequently come up there too might have helpful info if you read through it.

[MotorToad]

So what'd you get? I just stumbled on the thread but I've some input if there is need.

At your price point I would get a Canon 5D Mk-I full-frame DSLR. They're running under $800 on craigslist in the sfbay area. Another $800 on two decent lenses and you'll have the start of a really nice system. On a full-frame a 50 mm F/1.8 will allow extremely sharp photos indoors with no flash. Or you could get a 40D for about $400 and a lot better lenses. The main downside to this (IMesHO) is that the $100 50 1.8 is too long on crop sensor cameras and there isn't a cheap 28 or 35 mm lens like the 50.

I haven't shot 4/3s but I really don't see them as much of a size advantage to the DSLRs, you're still carrying extra lenses and it's still not a mostly two-dimensional box like a P&S. When I first heard of them I was really excited as I thought they really made sense. Now I don't see them as that much of an advantage and they're not as readily available used. For $350 and some careful shopping I have a 30D, battery grip, extra batteries, several cards, and two decent image-stabilized lenses. For $1100 I could have a 40D (or possibly even a 50D, not that there's that much difference) and 17-85 & 70-300 IS USM lenses, and a 50 prime.