Digital Camera for Macro?

[Lou]

I am looking for recommendations for a reasonably proced, easy to use digital camera for use at work.

We need to take photos of a system in build to go in the manual, and the camera's that we have available are appalling at macro shors focussing on smallish components. They seem to have such a large focussing area that they won't pick up on anything less than about 15mm thick.

The parts are mostly stainless and copper, so being able to pick up reasonable detail and with a flash that you can "turn down" so we don't just get white-out from reflection would b perfect.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Lou

[recurve]

Mine, with me behind it?

But seriously, I'd try to stretch to something like a second hand Canon 300D

[Lou]

OK, I should point out that seeing as work is buying it it needs to be new and from a reputable source

[NeilP]

What sort of resolution are you looking at?
I have had some cracking results with Canon kit in the past.
Nikon used to be the market leaders in the consumer digicam range with their macro functions, but nowadays they tend to keep to the DSLR end of the market.
Most important is a focus assist illuminator.
Again, alot of mainstream cameras come with this nowadays.

[Lou]

Not sure. Taking pics of full systems (2m tall) down to detail on components, say the size of a pound coin?

[Cussy]

Lou
Well if work are paying, Nikon D2x with a decent macro lens. Then borrow it, buy a housing and you've got yourself a wonderful diving camera!

My Olympus 7070 does a good job on macro and super-macro and I've only had complaint on this functionality from 1 of my 4 Olympus cameras (the wife's toy one). Trick is you need plenty of light and patience. Set it to spot metering and for really good results a tripod is a must - so line up the shot and have it shoot on timer. If this is for a brochure then up the f number if using flash to get better depth of field. Shooting chrome is a pain as small digitals focus based on contrast, they get confused by very shiny things. If you are using a tripod, then I'd suggest shooting on manual focus as you can measure the distance.

So I think most will be good if: plenty of light, tripod, timer.
Rob

PS Olympus illumination assist focusing is pants and I've been told similar of others

[Rick Huggins]

Originally Posted by Lou

OK, I should point out that seeing as work is buying it it needs to be new and from a reputable source

pah...reputable...schmeputable!

[abucksdiver]

Lou,
How are you planning on producing the manuals? I'd check that photos print well using your production method... otherwise, photos can look messy.

I've often found that a good line-drawing or graphic representation is often better than a photo (although both can cost more in either illustrator costs or time!)

I can't remember the last time I used photos in manuals, and I've been writing the damn things for about 18 years now...

Regards
Andrew

[Lou]

Hi Chaps

The work cameras available now are cheapish Oly's and they are truly pants. Will not focus up close and for the wasted time trying to get photos (either for records, to send to customers or to go in manuals, work instructions etc) I have persuaded my boss to buy us a better one.

Andrew - the systems i work on are one-off, custom jobs so the manuals are written each time from a standrd base and system-specific info added. Hence we have no time or money for illustrations and photos's are used of the actual system whilst it is built! The manual is then laser-printed. Nothing very fancy at all!

Lou

[Sakara Drinker]

Originally Posted by recurve

But seriously, I'd try to stretch to something like a second hand Canon 300D

If work are paying, then try the Canon 350D. I find it a great camera and there is also a housing.