What camera would you recommend?

[Vicki B.]

Well, one of the reasons I asked the "editing" question was because the next question is: What camera (make and model) is a good one for taking high quality photos of beads for internet and submission use?

Or maybe I should ask what features I should be looking for.

Can some of you share what "work horse" camera models you've found to deliver quality images.

And yes, I know the photo "set-up" is a whole nuther topic - just asking about cameras in this thread (if the 2 can be discussed separately - or maybe not.)

I now see the thread on Quickie Camera question, but I'm not that knowledgeable about specific models yet - maybe spell out the important features for me, please.

[pipyr]

Hey Vicki :) It would help a bunch if we had a budget to work within ;) That would give us an idea of what kind of camera you will be looking at...there are preferred cameras for each budget :D

[lldesigns]

I am in LOVE with my new camera!!! It's a Canon Powershot S3 IS with 12x optical zoom (the optical zoom is the important one!). It took me only a couple of tries to figure out the Super Macro but, oh mama, what it can do. And the price doesn't break the bank. I got mine for $299.

Here is an example. I'm still working on lighting but even with the glare, the detail is amazing.

59131

[Vicki B.]

You're right - a budget would help. I think my husband would also llike a new camera for outdoor stuff, so while the budget is not unlimited, we might upgrade to something better - or more recent or more versatile. I would want to be able to photograph beads of course, so want to know what I should be looking for - or playing with. We are not professionals, but would like really high quality photos. I'd love to see, for example a comparison of what you get for under $500 and what features might not be available at that price.

We have an Olympus C-3000ZOOM - quite old, and it may actually be fine and I just don't know what I'm doing with it. The manual that came with it is not the best. It seems to indicate that it has optical zoom and digital zoom for movies.

Maybe what I need most is a good book that tells how to photograph small shiny objects. I learn well by reading books or manuals. I KNOW I DON'T UNDERSTAND what I'm doing with the camera we own, but don't know where to go next.

I guess for a start I was really asking what features I should look for either in my own camera settings or in a new model (it was a help i.e. to read the comments on optical vs digital zoom - though I know not what the difference is)

My camera does have a macro - or maybe 2 settings for this, but little on how to use these settings.
Thanks
Wow - am I unstudied about this stuff.

[IF-Designs]

Ive been very happy with olympus, Fujifilm, Nikon and Canon products just make sure they are in the lil higher end camer side offering micro cababilities and good resolution I would say over 6mp at this place in time or better if you want to submit to publications.

The following are more point and shoot typess with the abiliity in most cases to change to manual mode or aperture or shutter priority iof you want.

Olympus C series in its time was a great camera so anything compirable to the camedia cameras from them

Fujifilm S series cameras are really nice

The nikon cameras are great
Nikon Coolpix S4 hasa nice swivel lense which is nice sometimes.

As for digital SLR's I really like the new Canon Rebel XTI
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EOS-Digital-Rebel-XTi-2-Lens-4GB-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ160086856237QQihZ006QQcategoryZ147173 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
It has alot of great uses and features its 10megapixels+ and just as I said lots of great Features.

Also the Nikon D series the D70 and D80 are great higher end Nikons if you want alot of bang for your buck but even the D40/D50 are great cameras to for a DSLR

The Olympus Evolt E500 has had a lot of great reviews as well and Ive had lots of good luck with olympus as well as fuji , nikon and canon.

any of these 4 brands have great optics, and resolution and color reproduction. Your main concerns are going to be the highest resoltution you can get for your pricerange, the largest optical resolution, and wether or not the macro capabilities are good. are they 1:1, 1:2 , 1:4 so on the best would be something 1:1 or similar where you can get very very close to your subject.

Also what are the other abilities of your camera? Can you take video with sound? Can you take and save images in RAW format if needed? Can you do in camera white balanace? Do you have manual adjustment for shutter, apertature? These may be things you use and may not but its good to know wether the camera your looking at offersthe abilities. Is the camera completely automatic? or does it offer some level of control?

[Vicki B.]

Thanks Laurie, Karin & Pipyr,
Gives me things to look at and think about. Also just ordered an old book on digital photography. Does anyone have any suggestions on manuals or books that have good basic information for the beginner - particularly about the camera settings?