Macro photography - camera recommendations for beginner

Would you experienced people please let me know what to look for in a digital camera, under $500, for taking close up mineral photos? I've graduated from the AOL digital to a Poloroid digital with 5.3 mega pixels (3X optical, 4X digital). I need something better, and something well built. Is there a guideline or two you can recommend in buying a digital camera for macro shots? Thanks!

Howdy,

Having been a photographer for over 15 years, my first question is how small a specimen do you wish to be able photograph?

There are a number of digital cameras that are able to 'focus' as close as 1cm, but the downside to many of them is that in order to do this they have to be at there widest lens setting. ie; 28-70mm needs to be at the 28mm setting. This means that although you may be able to focus closely, you are also taking a very 'wide' photo, which is alot of cases works against you.

True macro lenes photograph a very narrow/small area as well as being able to focus closely. This would be the prefered option, if you want true macro photos.
I know Cannon, Nikon and Fuji all make fixed lens digital cameras capable of this type of work. They may not be in your buget range though.

However I would suggest that if you can find a good 3-6meg secondhand SLR type camera (Cannon or Nikon are best) and spend more on your macro lens you would have better results. This may be a little bit dearer in cost but the end result is worth it, you can also go with this option one item at a time, which may make it easier to afford.

I hope this helps in some way.

Cheers Mark

Hi

here a small compilation of factors to look at when buying a camera for mineral photography:

Must criteria:
a) macro mode (minimum distance should not be longer than 5cm)
b) white balance adjustment for artificial light (preferred with option "manual"
c) zoom on LCD to control taken pictures


Following are usage or personal dependent criteria:

1. specimen size
a) 2cm - 20cm: macro mode / macro lens
b) < 2cm: accessory lens / microscope adapter and microscope
Note: adding lenses is normal for DSLR, but only some high end compact digital cameras support this - consult e.g. raynox.com to check the cameras they support with their lenses.
If your specimen's size is often in the range up to 4cm then depth of field is important. Herefore a program with aperture ("A" priority is helpful.

2. usage of image
a) print up to 30cm x 40cm: 8MP or more
b) print up to 20cm x 30cm: 4MP or more
c) print up to 15cm x 20cm: 2MP or more
d) PC/WWW/Email up to 3648 x 2736: 8MP or more
e) PC/WWW/Email up to 2592 x 1944: 6MP or more
f) PC/WWW/Email up to 2048 x 1536: 3MP or more
g) PC/WWW/Email up to 1600 x 1200: 2MP or more
h) PC/WWW/Email up to 640 x 480: 0.3MP or more

3. total budget
a) up to $700: compact digital camera
b) higher: digital SLR camera (=DSLR)

4. image quality (color, focus, contrast, distortion in corners a.o.)
=> if you're sensitive to image quality then the order to choose from I recommend:
1. DSLR from known brand
2. high end compact digital camera from known brand
3. DSLR from not well known brand
4. high end compact digital camera from not well known brand

5. other criteria are:
a) using camera in museums => use tripod and/or camera with VR (vibration reduction)
b) using camera on excursions => compact digital camera, long battery life
d) willingness to carry weight (and extra lenses) => DSLR
e) usage of camera for other purposes ?
f) check out reports at dpreview.com and/or steves-digicams.com

6. additional equipment:
a) tripod (also very small one) - to increase depth of field
you select small aperture (high number) which increases shutter time
which requires a tripod
b) 2+ equal (!) lamps:
1. best are currently optic fibres as used for microscope (although only for specimens up to 15cm)
2. halogen spot lights (although they get very hot)
c) image processing program like
- Adobe Photoshop (most versatile but most expensive!),
- Adobe Photoshop Elements (ok for most purposes),
- Paintshop Pro (ok for most purposes),
- GraphicConverter (for Mac only; ok for most purposes) etc.

Conclusion:
If you want really good quality, want to print big pictures, have a good budget and don't mind to carry a bigger case around, go for a DSLR.
If any of above conditions are not valid, go for a compact digital camera.
If you think you will want some extras (VR, aperture priority, better optics etc.) opt for a high end compact digital camera.

I hope this helps for your decision.

Regards
Olivier

- check out [www.kristalle.ch] -

Well, on a less technical note...I found the NIKON cameras have an incredible close up ability. I took some very good photos with mine before graduating to one with more pixels and costs more $$$$ model of Nikon.


I truly did get some great shots with my little Nikon.

If you need great macros and have under $500 then Olympus is the leader. With Nikon or Canon you pay alot just for their name, not for better quality. Panasonics are too noisy, Sony is usually not the best for macro.
Over $500 are great advanced Fuji compacts.

DSLR cameras are best but very pricy and complicated, better avoid them in the beginning.

If anyone reads this thread this long after the original question, for $500 you should now be able to get a Pentax K100D (6MPx), a PK-M42 adapter, an old M42 bellows, a M42-39mm LTM adapter, and a good little enlarger lens. I use a Jupiter 90U, a 75mm enlarger lens. Unscrew the lens cells and put them back in the opposite sides, and you get really good results at up to 3:1. for greatre enlargements get a 40mm enlarger lens - a "real" dedicated macro lens costs considerbly more, and is only significantly better at close to 1:1.