Question for all the camera people.

[PALM]

If anyone can help me that would be great. I am having a prblem with MACROS. I have a Gateway 4.1MP camera and for the life of me can't get any good shots with it. I have read the manual over and over and still can't get it. I know the camera is not the best, but it should be able to get some good shots. I was able to get much better looking shots with my Sony DCR-TRV27 Handycam and its only a 1.2MP I think.

I know BOG and REZ just got some new toys so maybe they can help.

Anyone who has any suggestions please post them here. I wanna get some shots up of my C99 x NYCD (JLP's Cross) and I can't.

Thanks and

Sour Cheers!!

 

[guest123]

perhaps your trying too close , i take them about 200 mm from the subject ... make sure the macro is on , sorry to say but just incase your stoned .. lol ..

 

[trichomefarmer]

NIKON

NIKON

1. you need to look for the flower symbol, this signifies macro mode.
2. you need to know your cameras minimum focusing distance.
3. you need to find the exposure compenstaion button, it looks similar to this: +/-ev. the closer you get the more - exposure
4.if you can't find these. take the picture from further away, at your highest setting. and then you can crop the picture either with the digital zoom or in a photo editing program.

5. If youre in the market for a new camera. I personally don't look past NIKON.

ps. after seeing mini-me (nikon coolpix 3100) in action, 4 other overgrowers got nikon coolpix's within days. A 3200 and 3, 4300

I would highly recommend not getting excited by the larger sony's they are poorly designed, their flash placement is poor to say the least.

 

[Skip]

For those in the market for a new camera (like me!), here's what you need to consider:

If you really want great closeups you must look for a "super macro" option on the camera. This means the camera has more than one macro mode, including an extra closeup.

Focal distance: The best digital cameras will let you get to within about 1-1.5 inches (around 3 cm) to your subject. You will easily spot these cameras because they have a bigger lens, like an SLR.

Optional lenses: Most high end digital cameras have some kind of adapters to give your standard lens more flexibility like a 2x telephoto. These are NOT what you need, and probably won't help with closeups. What you can look for is cameras that take normal SLR lenses or camera bodies with no lenses that allow you to purchase whatever lens you need.

Needless to say these high-end cameras are pricey, but guess what? They're less than half the price they were last year! In fact you can now get excellent cameras with a lens kit for under $1000! I recommend the new Canons. They are very intuitive, with easy to use controls and advanced features (like panaroma stiching) and various video modes.

These new cameras also have up to 8 MP allowing professional quality photos.

There are several common problems you will encounter trying to take grow room shots, most revolving around the lighting. Lighting your closeups is very difficult, esp if the room has it's grow lights on. The yellowish cast is a big problem, and is best dealt with before snapping the shot. Some cameras (esp. Nikon) have white balance settings to compensate like "incandescent" or "florescent". Otherwise you must adjust the image in the computer and while this can be done, there is always some unreal color cast.

When you are so close to your image the flash doesn't usually compensate, and results in overexposure. If your camera doesn't handle it you might need to put cellophane over your flash to tone it down. Or you need a separate flash that is held farther away at an angle to the camera. Or if you got the bucks you can get a ring flash that comes with some macro lenses that disburses the light around the object.

Other things to consider in a new camera:
Well for me the size & weight is a factor as I plan on travelling a lot. The newest small cameras have great features and are perfect for normal shots. The larger cameras often require you drag a bunch of stuff with you, like lenses and filters & whatnot.

Storage:
If you plan on travelling away from your computer and taking tons of photos you need to have lots of memory to store the images. You can now get memory chips up to 2GB. And micro drives up to 4 GB. These will store up to 1000 high rez images, which hopefully will be enough. Otherwise you need to buy multiple chips, or a device which stores your camera's images separately (I've seen these up to 30GB). These items can be costly, up to about $500, but think of what you save on film and developing, and you never have to hassle with the images until you get back to your computer.

Know your camera's limitations!
It's really worth it to plow thru the manual to understand your camera and it's limitations. Things like flash distance or focus distance can really limit the applications to which you put the camera. So know what you're getting before you buy and learn how to use your camera. I find some cameras are great in certain things, lousy in others, even expensive ones.

Battery life:
You gotta get a camera that will allow at least 100 photos before recharging! And it should only take about 15-30 minutes to recharge. An extra battery is a wise investment if you plan on long trips or extended outings away from power sources, or just shoot like a pro.

Hope this helps!

 

[THC4SIM]

Good little camera write-up there Skip!!
I recently got a new camera, Canon D300/Rebel Digital SLR,
with 4gb micro-drive... more than ill ever need....
i got a 50mm Macro lens, but ive discovered that i now need
a 1:1 life size converter for it to get the best shots using this
lens, i keep my eye's peeled on ebay lookin for one, with no
luck as of yet.... but i want one before my Bogbubbles are ready,
they'r still in veg for at least another week yet...so no big rush

but if any of you guys know where i can pick one up at a good price
ill get it, amd get some nice macro shots done...

niceOne

THC4SIM

 

[Max21]

Good post Skip

Good post Skip

Very good post, skip... looks very complete to me :tup:
You're going to "liberate macro photography now" !

 

[PALM]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. All this info sure is helping me with the camera. I guess its just a trial and error thing. I should get a hong of it soon. I hope

Skip that was a great write up on camera shoping. They should keep that up somewhere for people who are interested. I am sure that a lot of people could use the info you gave, but just dont know where to look.

T.F. great to see the reply, I heard about all the guys getting nice toys when in Amsterdam for the 420 bash. I will be there in June, are cameras cheaper in the dam?

Thanks to everyone who posted replies. I should get some pics up here soon, when I get a little more confident! Until then another bowl of JLP's C99 x NYCD is comming my way!!

 

[Hashmasta-Kut]

Focal distance: The best digital cameras will let you get to within about 1-1.5 inches (around 3 cm) to your subject. You will easily spot these cameras because they have a bigger lens, like an SLR.


Hope this helps!

actually, my nikon coolpix 4500 has a smaller size lens , but as u may know takes ok macros no problemo..

 

[trichomefarmer]

http://www.dpreview.com/

check this place out for the newest info.

 

[Hashmasta-Kut]

you got that right... ~*()*~

you got that right... ~*()*~

you bet man, thats the best place i found on the net for reviews too!

 

[Payaso]

DPReview

DPReview

Thanks for the tip trichomefarmer!!! What a great site...

Also thanks fior everything during the Cup... you were a great help to everyone, and having your lady spin such fine music for us was excellent!

Keep farming in Peace,
Chris/Payaso

 

[trichomefarmer]

just don't put me out of work...

just don't put me out of work...

If you want consumer opinions here ya go.

http://www.photo-forums.com/

 

[Hashmasta-Kut]

your lady djs trichomefarmer>?!~? better keep us apart..i am a dj too,, we might hit it off,,, (just joking i am happily married)

 

[Max21]

Great list of tips, TCF :
Nice informations and links, guys ;

 

[verge]

Very informative thread....

I have a Nikon coolpix 3100 (I think) its a wicked 'entry level' camera for taking close-ups! I've had it for over a year now... and am about ready to upgrade to one of those SLR bodied jobs. So this thread has been very helpfull.



This is about the best I can get with the coolpix.

 

[Guest]

4.1 megapixels? Nice.

here's a sample from a cannon psa40 2.omp on minumum zoom with a 10x loupe on some bud vine

 

[pistillwhipped]

I KNOW I'm not the only one

I KNOW I'm not the only one

I have a question....how do I clean my lens on a digi? I guess at some point I got too close to a stickybud I was photographing and now I have a small cluster of crystal on the lens.

Can I just use a q-tip and a little rubbing alchohol? Do I need special cloth? I payed 350 for my digi...its an HP R707 photosmart with 5.1 megpix, and 3x optical + 7x digital (or vice versa).

 

[Guest]

we use a kleenex - no chemicals. try to keep a loupe in between the camera and the bud. just that will get dirty next time. Easier to clean.

 

[pistillwhipped]

Yeah I can see a colored sheen on the lens, kinda reddish purple, and I was afraid the alcohol might remove it, but.....with the sticky on the lens, I was worried I'd have to use it anyway.

Thanks for the info. Lurk.

 

[Hashmasta-Kut]

iso is ok to use as a lens cleaner. a photo geek told me one time.