Close Up Shots

Hi Guys

I was looking at AlanP's scratch build of a Shrimper - and beeping marvellous it is too. The build always looks spectacular in Alans shots - so how do modellers get the photos so close and so clear? I can never snap anything up close and be remotely satisfied with the shot. My current camera's focus has become unreliable since my daughter borrowed it, and I'm now considering what to replace it with - so it's a really good time to ask the question.

Dave

Hi Dave,

It's not the make of camera so much these days as they all seem to be keeping abreast. The word to look out for is 'Macro', as this will give the close up focus you are looking for.

I've just stuck my finger under the lens for you and it's quite good what can be picked up. i suppose this might be close enough.

Cheers


ken





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Iv'e been using an old Fuji Film 304 camera must be 10 years old and is only 1.2 mega pix, it is used on Macro but the hardest part is the light, I have a few daylight bulbs in my desk lights and this helps so I dont have to use flash as much, the othe thing is brass and metals can be a pain with flash, I also pick my background if possable, hear are a few old ones I have taken, I dont take many now as I shake but have found self time and small £5 mini tripod helps. I have got a panasonic Camera that has imig stabilisathion , this is not bad at shows but you are not that close to the model.

The main question seems to have been answered but to re-iterate

1. use macro mode

2. avoid flash and use other lighting

3. use a tripod and either self timer or a remote trigger device to eliminate even minor shaking

4. select a plain preferably dark background

5. keep the lense clean

Follow these five simple rules and the results from even most of the cheapest digital camera's will improve dramatically

[img:8cb6]http://rcmb.forumotion.com/[/img]

Another useful feature is a good zoom,this is from my fujifilm which has macro,but i zoomed in on this critter

Hear are three taken with my little Panasonic not an expensive camera and now 3 years old it is the same size as a packet of fags (OOPs can you say that) so fits in the wifes bag easy,very simple to use as I can use it, and has a 10x optical zoom and imig stabilisathion so these two pictures where taken from the same spot, as I cannot walk on water yet and couldent get me pram any closer to the Murry. I was pleased one problem is the shutter is a bit slow but the one they have out now apparently is better. this one was under £130







Peter

Thanks lads, Ok - I'm getting the picture now (sorry just couldn't resist that one).

I've checked my old camera for a macro setting and found one tucked away in a sub menu.

It works but the camera is a bit hit and miss focus wise - I need to take some photos this

evening about problems with my old Hale's Spraymaster so we'll see how I do.

Regards Dave

So, what is Macro, and where do I look look for it on the camera?



Alan

Alan,

Macro is the ability of the lens to focus at very close distance to the subject, rendering it much bigger in the picture. It does reduce the depth of field, or amount in focus to a few millimeters in many cases. On compact cameras it is not really a true macro, but as close as the cameras limitations will allow. True macro lenses on DSLR cameras cost many hundreds to even thousands of pounds..

Hi Alan

Just got it out and this is my route to macro, Menu - Focus - Select - Macro

todays the first time I've seen it.

Dave

Had to get the book out in the end dave, found it, tried it, WOW

the only problem is that you can see to much , scratches on brass etc that you could not see looking at it normally can stand out so can paint blemishes , the way my boats are going these days ill be using a bit of Vasaline over the lens or a nice soft filter.



Peter

HS93 wrote:

the only problem is that you can see to much , scratches on brass etc that you could not see looking at it normally can stand out so can paint blemishes , the way my boats are going these days ill be using a bit of Vasaline over the lens or a nice soft filter.



Peter

Nah, Just set the camera to macro and shoot from 6 feet......You will not see any scratches then!!

Glad it worked for you Peter - it really helps me apprecite a guys hard work when I can see those crisp close ups

I need a new camera though - I had hoped to just use my old one in the workshop for macro but the focus is too hit and miss now. It took me hours last night to get the few shots I needed. Serves me right for letting my daughter borrow it. I really liked my Casio Exilim Z500 5 mgpxl, small, nice features and easy to use. Repair would probably be posible but I bet I'd just get screwed by the shop - I read a few message boards re jessops shenanigans on repairs.

Any reccomendations guys

Dave

Fujifilm s1730

3x macro,15xzoom and hundreds of other features,excellent camera,around £150

Have a look at the pannasonic range , befor anybody comes back with hundreds of cheaper places this is where I would buy because of the cover they give and no quible return.



you buy what you can afford



Peter

http://www.johnlewis.com/Electricals/Cameras+_26+Camcorders/Cameras+_26+Camcorders/All+Cameras/Panasonic/-/Brand/4002/ProductCategory.aspx?tmcampid=38&tmad=c&s_kenid=7a012e50-3eb6-c8e9-b3da-00006a811b32&s_kwcid=3x1555286

Mine was the older version of this it was about £135 at the time

http://www.johnlewis.com/231203436/Product.aspx

The Panasonic range are truely very good cameras and range from simple point and shoot upto much more advanced cameras. Have a look at Nikon's range too.

Does something very clever happen with our banner advert at the top of the page?

I have just noticed it advertising John Lewis and Panasonic cameras

Both are mentioned in this thread

Dave

Erm, not quite sure here Dave....I see nothing except the proper banner. It may be you have pop ups enabled on your system.,.

I think you will find it's the last things you searched for with Google etc it tags on to web pages if you go on sky news you will proberley get the same.



Peter

think twice about olimpus

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16105895



Peter