What camera do you guys use?

I know there are several threads about this, but I'm hoping for some advice that might be more specific to me.

I'm in a rut with cameras. I keep thinking of going back to a good SLR camera (even the Minolta Maxxa or whatever it's called would be nice) but I don't think I could live without a digital.

I'm pretty disappointed with my current digital camera. I have a Sony Cyber-shot 2.1 MP. It was somewhat cheap, so I don't expect tons, but the detail is severely lacking it seems. It takes nice general pictures, but any fine detail (say the engine of a 1/18 model car), it sucks. I've tried every mode it's got, doesn't seem to get any better. The zoom could be better too (3x optical, 6x digital... my point and shoot 35mm is better than that)... and of course, the one thing that I HATE about every digital camera I've tried (basically the under $500 croud), is the flash. I'd have better results aiming a maglight at my subject.

So I know I'll be spending good money, but I don't care.

I just want something that will do good detail(maybe 4mp is what I need :-/), has a GOOD flash, decent zoom and preferably work off some sort of flash media or memory card (I don't even have a floppy drive on my computer).

I know a good deal about camera companies, but when it comes to digital cameras, I keep hearing mixed reviews. I would just go buy a nice Nikon or something, but then I'll hear that like Sony or someone else is better than the *real* camera companies.

Ugh. So if someone can toss up some models, prices, and maybe even some example pictures, I'd be very greatful.

Asking a question requiring an opinion on a forum will normally
yield enough answers to confuse you even more !-CONFUCIOUS
Try these links for comparisons.

D P Camera Reviews (http://www.dpreview.com/)

D C Views (http://www.dcviews.com/)

PC Photo Review (http://www.pcphotoreview.com/)

:bandit: Mike

I got a Nikon Coolpix 950 2.1Mp. It's quite cheap since it's old (1000$ 1 year ago, not it's near 400$)

anyway it make the job each yea at the rally on Ice..

i have this one
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DX/ZFRONT.JPG
it's very small and easy to use~

go with the canon s40, 4.0mega-pixels, 11x digital zoom, 4x or 3x optical (not certain). video mode, manual focus mode, all options you can think of on a digital. however still a bit pricey 999$ canadian dollars, mostly cause it's still new. another choice if you don't wan't to spend as much, you could go with the s30, by canon once again, same as the above but with 3.2 megapixels, and 10x digital zoom. it retails for 799$ CDN$. if you want a nikon go for the 885, very user friendly, 3.3 megapixles 3x or 4x optical not sure once again, it sells for about 700$.
hope that helps.

The Canon S40 doesn't perform as well at the Macro level as some of its other 4mp competitors...

I have the Canon S30, which is the same as the S40 exept it has a 3.3 MP. I agree, the macro isn't as good as some of the other cameras out there, but it has a lot of customizablity. The fstop is only 2.8-8.0 but it's enough to take focused pictures of most models. All the pictures of my models in the gallery were taken with it, to give you an idea.

I was looking at the Nikon Coolpics 5000. Any opinions? My 2nd choice so far is the Canon Powershot G2

if your willing to dish that much cash on a digicam then by all means go for the Coolpix 5000, 5.0 megapixles you can't go wrong! the little flipout screen can come in handy as well. as far as the macro feature goes, can't tell you cause i haven't tested it yet. In terms of price it shouldn't cost you more than 1400$ Cdn dollars, anymore you're getting ripped! ;)

I use an Olympus C-3020 digital camera. I paid about $400 (or $500, I can't remember) for it, and I'm very pleased with it. It's 3.2 MP, uses smart media, and has 7.5x optical and digital zoom. It's a really great camera, but it uses up batteries like a Lamborghini burns gas. But you can purchase an AC/DC adaptor for it, which I plan to do within the next few months. You can record movies, too. I'd recommend this camera to anyone.

Oh yeah, when you take pics of your models with your camera, try taking the flash off. Sometimes, the pic actually comes out better. At least, with my camera.

I m using a FujiFilm FinePix 4700. It's great.. only letdown is the lousy marco function...

I have two kinds of models to take picture of.

A) Miniature models
B) Living models :p

In case of A, my 3yrs old Olympus is good enough. It's only 1.3M Pix, 1280x1024 max. no optical zoom, but has macro, which can get close to 10cm from the object. I don't experience any problem UncleMeat777 has, but I don't use flash to take pictures of a model car.

In case of B, I use my EOS Elan.

I recommend the Canon S30, cuz I have one. The stuff about macrophotography, it's really all up to the photographer, not the camera itself. Use full manual mode and adjust white balance, aperture settings, etc. !!!!! DON'T USE AUTO MODE FOR WHATEVER REASON IF YOU'RE GONNA TAKE PICTURES OF MODELS !!!!! :eek:

If you want to burn a paycheck on a digicam, get the Canon G2, doesn't get any better than the G2.

Canon Powershot G2 4.0Mp

Can anyone post examples of the detail (macro mode preferably) of their cameras?

Features mean nothing if it takes a lousy picture.

http://www.photo.net/canon/g2

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_g2-review/

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/01_jan/reviews/canong23.htm

This was taken with my Sharp Digital Camcorder !
It's a 1/24 scale engine
http://members.aol.com/modelfan1/images/anglengne.jpg
:bandit: Mike

:flash: :flash: :flash:
Hi,
i recommend for digital like i have:

FUJIFILM 5900Z ZOOM OPTIC X6 (egal 28 - 210), macro, video....5.0 MP....
very nice and exeptional pictues for small think.....
Look at

www.fujifilm.com

Laurent

it's no model car, but it'll suffice as a test macrophoto with the Canon S30 (3.2MP)

Hi all,
I am looking for a digital camera too.
After having checked a lot of camera, I think I will purchase the Canon PowerShot G2.
What do you think about this choice ?

Originally posted by xim-crow
Hi all,
I am looking for a digital camera too.
After having checked a lot of camera, I think I will purchase the Canon PowerShot G2.
What do you think about this choice ?

check my review about halfway down the page here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=52832&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

Canon PowerShot A40, Is that a good camera?

I have Nikon's Coolpix 995. I got it for around $550 USD. Here's a picture I took using the macro focus. This is just a small portion of the image (the original was taken at 2048x1536).

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/306254ralph.jpg

In case you were wondering, the figure is Ralph from "The Simpsons" and he stands at about 3.25" tall (~8.26cm?).

Here is the complete image resized:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/295638ralph2.jpg