[Kushism_girl]

Looking for a good suggestion on a Hi-Res digital camera that would be great to photograph some flowers with...

Everything I can find popular online looks great, but they vary so much in price, so I am stumped.... are there particulars to look for? Particular Mega-Pixels, Particular Optical Zoom?

Thanks anyone who could help...

[kalikilla]

i bought a good one at Target (SAMSUNG 10.5 MEGAPIXLE) the best part is Target gives credit to anyone !even me! lol just dont pay any late payments they charge 25 bucks for late fees!

[sohocollectiveinc]

i think Nikon is always a good idea. Took photography in college and never had a problem with them.

[VENOM]

I agree with Kalikilla. SAMSUNG makes some really good equipment and it's pretty affordable.

[Kushism_girl]

Thanks guys, might you know what model number by chance?

Looking for something "halfway pro" that is not too complicated to use

[stanley]

Originally Posted by Kushism_girl

Looking for a good suggestion on a Hi-Res digital camera that would be great to photograph some flowers with...

Everything I can find popular online looks great, but they vary so much in price, so I am stumped.... are there particulars to look for? Particular Mega-Pixels, Particular Optical Zoom?

Thanks anyone who could help...

It REALLY depends on how much you want to spend--- and what you REALLY intend to do with the camera.

Things that you should consider---

megapixels--- 10 or 12 is plenty, for bud porn, dont go much below 6.
macro mode: how close will the lens sharply focus?
self timer: lets you set off the camera with no camera shake for close-up bud pix
tripod socket---yup a tripod is handy--especially the little table top ones for bud pix...
"hot shoe" for attaching an external flash
what kind of memory cards does it use?? stick with either CF or SD memory cards.

I have been a camera nut since the mid 1960's--- and believe me, cameras are getting better every day.

For MOST folks these days, I would recommend a high end point-and-shoot camera--- I am not talking cheap, but I am talking high quality, and something that will allow you to "grow" into it a bit--- but these cameras are probably ~$500-$800 bucks...

a couple of the top rated cameras in this category would be:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html

Canon PowerShot G10 Digital Camera (Black)

* 14.7-Mp 1/1.7" CCD Sensor
* 5x Wide Angle Zoom Lens (~28-140mm)
* Optical Image Stabilizer
* 3.0" LCD Display
* Face Detection Software
* RAW File Mode
* Manual Exposure Control
* E-TTL Flash Hot Shoe


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Digital Camera (Black)

* 10.1 Megapixel Digital
* 2.5x Optical Zoom
* 3.0" LCD Display
* 24mm Wide-Angle Leica Lens
* Enhanced CCD Technology
* MEGA O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilizer
* Intelligent Auto Technology
* High Sensitivity (ISO 3200)
* High Speed Response
* Manual Operation

I have thought pretty seriously about picking up the Canon--- just to have with me rather that my "big" camera.....


If you want to get a digital SLR--- the possibilities are nearly endless... again, depending on your price range--- the cameras listed below range from the $600 range up to $8000 plus.... but most of these digital slr cameras will need either attachments or additional lenses to get really close-up pix.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html

Nikon D3000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens

* 10.2 Megapixels
* 3" LCD
* 18-55mm VR Lens
* 11-point Autofocus System
* Compact Design
* Fast Shutter Response
* Self Cleaning Sensor
* 3fps Burst
* In-camera Editing
* High Sensitivity (ISO 1600)


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...LR_Camera.html

Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm VR Lens

* Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Lens
* 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Sensor
* Advanced Imaging Features in Compact DSLR
* HD 720p Video Capture w/Exposure Control
* 2.7" Vari-angle LCD
* Live View Mode
* In-Camera Image Editing
* Personal Picture Control Settings
* 4 fps Burst Mode
* GPS Geotagging (optional)


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html

Nikon D3x SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body)

* 24.5 Megapixel Resolution
* FX-format (full frame) CMOS Sensor
* Nikon EXPEED Image Processor
* NEF (RAW) Files at 12- or 14-bit Color
* 3" Super-density LCD Monitor
* Live View Shooting Modes
* 5 fps Continuous at Full Resolution
* Scene Recognition System
* Virtual Horizon Indicator
* Dual CF Card Slots

$8000.00 plus you will have to buy a lens--this is the body only-----




http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Si_a_k_a_.html

Canon EOS Rebel XSi (a.k.a. 450D) SLR Digital Camera Kit (Black) with 18-55mm IS Lens

* 12.2-megapixel CMOS
* 3.0-inch LCD Monitor
* Live View Function
* 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
* High Sensitivity (ISO 1600)
* Picture Style Settings
* Uses Canon EF & EF-S Lenses
* Integrated Cleaning System
* Includes Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens

*

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...k_III_SLR.html

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III SLR Digital Camera

* 21.1 Megapixel
* Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
* 3.0" LCD with Live View
* 5 fps Burst
* Dual DIGIC III Image Processor
* Self-Cleaning Sensor
* Fast AF system
* Picture Style Settings
* Weather Resistant Body
* Accepts UDMA CF Cards

$6500.00 plus lens

[monday]

Canon Rebel XTi is a good "halfway pro".

Just remember that it is more about the lens than the megapixels. NASA's mars rover has a 1 megapixel camera, but its awesome lens and hardware make up for it.

[rix]

i want a camera like scheize... Olympus E420.

he takes great glass shots ~

[kalikilla]

the samsung i got was $150 and i save like 50 bucks. they have a semi-pro sony for like $500 at Target its the cam im saving my pennys for. you can add a pro lense for like 100 bucks. the lense will always make it look pro . . . . . www.target.com

Originally Posted by Kushism_girl

Thanks guys, might you know what model number by chance?

Looking for something "halfway pro" that is not too complicated to use

[swar]

look on ebay for a canon 20d in good condition. you can find them for around $400 (they were 2000+ new). 8.5 mega pix and you can change lenses. shoots with a comact flash.
great all around camera.

[Kushism_girl]

You ALL have been extremely helpful! Thank you SO VERY MUCH for your input. I can do my research, now that I have some direction to go off of....

Originally Posted by stanley

It REALLY depends on how much you want to spend--- and what you REALLY intend to do with the camera.

INTENTION: Take nice photos of flowers, where you can see some great detail. Also, something that I can take around on trips, shoot some nice memories.... by no means professional, but better than my little canon pocket-sized digital :)

Things that you should consider---

megapixels--- 10 or 12 is plenty, for bud porn, dont go much below 6.
JUST TO CLARIFY: at least 6 megapixels or more, 12 being virtually unnecessary for my intended use? (I love how you said Bud Porn)

macro mode: how close will the lens sharply focus?
self timer: lets you set off the camera with no camera shake for close-up bud pix
tripod socket---yup a tripod is handy--especially the little table top ones for bud pix...
"hot shoe" for attaching an external flash
what kind of memory cards does it use?? stick with either CF or SD memory cards.
What's better?

Originally Posted by monday

Canon Rebel XTi is a good "halfway pro".

Just remember that it is more about the lens than the megapixels. NASA's mars rover has a 1 megapixel camera, but its awesome lens and hardware make up for it.
What should I take into consideration when selecting the lens??

[stanley]

Originally Posted by Kushism_girl

INTENTION: Take nice photos of flowers, where you can see some great detail. Also, something that I can take around on trips, shoot some nice memories.... by no means professional, but better than my little canon pocket-sized digital :)

Then I would SERIOUSLY look into the high end of the point-n-shoots similar to the ones I listed. I personally know two "working" professional photographers who have pictures taken with the Canon G10 in their professional portfolios... the image quality, if you do your part is FANTASTIC, and they are so much more portable than the full sized DSLR cameras.... like I said, I have $12,000 worth of cameras and lenses, and I am seriously thinking about getting one of the Canon G10's.

Originally Posted by Kushism_girl

JUST TO CLARIFY: at least 6 megapixels or more, 12 being virtually unnecessary for my intended use? (I love how you said Bud Porn)

I would suggest 10 to 12 megapixels in a modern high end point-n-shoot would be more than enough... I can easily make 24 x 30 inch prints from my 12 megapixel camera... the current generation of these cameras tends to be 8-10-12 or so megapixels, so you should have no problem finding one that suits you.

Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing---better yet, show us the pix!!!

[monday]

Originally Posted by Kushism_girl

You ALL have been extremely helpful! Thank you SO VERY MUCH for your input. I can do my research, now that I have some direction to go off of....

If you are buying a point-and-shoot, go with a Canon. They make amazing point and shoots with great lenses/glass.

If you are going with a mid-grade DSLR, then even a stock lens will be better than most cameras, but you have the option of dropping more coin for an upgrade.

Rule of thumb is cameras with good glass usually brag about it on the packaging.

[Kushism_girl]

Oh, I love new gadgets, and I am going to go photo-click-happy.... Whichever camera is decided upon, I shall post the first photo right here.... (As far as what it's going to be of.... We shall see )

[youngfocus]

cannon rebel

[ironchefblue]

Check out Nikon point and shoots, some have really good macro focus distances, on the order of 1-2cm. I've tried many other brands and in general, Nikon makes the best point and shoots IMO. Good glass, excellent features, etc.

http://www.dpreview.com/ has more info than you could ever want. If you find some cameras and are trying to decide between them, use http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...on_cpp6000.asp is my latest point and shoot and it does good bud porn. Put it on a Gorillapod and you have a whole lot less hassle than setting up my Sony A700, lens tubes, lens, tripod, ring flash, blah blah.

[johnny_rokkit]

I use a Canon Rebel XS equipped with an 18-55mm lens to shoot my buds. I find it relatively striaghtforward and easy to use, and it has all the features an aspiring amateur needs. I wouldn't recommend a PnS, simply because a DSLR gives you so much more versatility should you want to play with f-stops, ISO speeds, and a myriad of lenses.

If you're serious about shooting buds, I'd recommend making a lightbox and getting a detachable flash. Proper lighting is a necessity to get high-quality shots, and I'm never truly satisfied with the shots with the built-in flash. Well, one more thing to work for, I guess.

[Kushism_girl]

Ok Stanley and the rest of you Canon fans.... I just received my Canon G10 today. Oh dear, where to begin! This will be fun.

[Pico+Barrington Collective]

Hands down........

Nikon D5000 Digital SLR

[Kushism_girl]

Originally Posted by Kushism_girl

Ok Stanley and the rest of you Canon fans.... I just received my Canon G10 today. Oh dear, where to begin! This will be fun.

And I can't seem to get a good close-up. Sure, I'll fiddle with this for a while, but can someone please translate to me:

ISO
P
Tv
Av
M
C1
C2

I have the manual here with all its features, but, if anyone could explain this in plain english, that would be great.... I could figure it out -- and I probably will, but I'm anxious and excited and want to do this NOW! :)

[ironchefblue]

Do you have macro mode on? The specs say it has a 1cm macro focus range so you should be able to get pretty close. From looking at the manual, push left on the button in the middle of the control dial and select the flower icon.

The other thing is be sure your subject is well lit. The flash is useless for closeups, I'd suggest shooting outdoors in good natural light.

ISO, the higher the number the more sensitive the sensor is (like faster film). The higher the number the more noise the picture has (like film grain). When in auto mode the camera limits itself to 200 ISO and lower for the best picture.

P is Program mode where you select the ISO and the camara sets the shutter speed and aperture.

Tv is where you set the shutter speed and the camera picks an aperture

Av is where you set the aperture and the camera picks a shutter speed

M is full manual, you set aperture and shutter speed. (and ISO seperately)

C1/C2 are custom settings you can save, like shotting mode, focus setting etc once you have a particular setup dialed in you want to keep using.


I'd start with leaving it on auto mode, turning on macro mode, have the camera sitting on something (not handheld), compose your scene in bright light (outdoors), use the self-timer to help eliminate movment.

[Kushism_girl]

Originally Posted by ironchefblue

Do you have macro mode on? The specs say it has a 1cm macro focus range so you should be able to get pretty close. From looking at the manual, push left on the button in the middle of the control dial and select the flower icon.

The other thing is be sure your subject is well lit. The flash is useless for closeups, I'd suggest shooting outdoors in good natural light.

ISO, the higher the number the more sensitive the sensor is (like faster film). The higher the number the more noise the picture has (like film grain). When in auto mode the camera limits itself to 200 ISO and lower for the best picture.

P is Program mode where you select the ISO and the camara sets the shutter speed and aperture.

Tv is where you set the shutter speed and the camera picks an aperture

Av is where you set the aperture and the camera picks a shutter speed

M is full manual, you set aperture and shutter speed. (and ISO seperately)

C1/C2 are custom settings you can save, like shotting mode, focus setting etc once you have a particular setup dialed in you want to keep using.


I'd start with leaving it on auto mode, turning on macro mode, have the camera sitting on something (not handheld), compose your scene in bright light (outdoors), use the self-timer to help eliminate movment.

You are absolutely, positively, undeniably..... FABULOUS

[smokeloss]

Why not stick with the classic polaroid?