Tried to post a long time ago, I have to make sure to sit and watch that my posts go through.
My old point and shoot was an HP945 and it had auto focus. That camera worked real well for me for a long time, but those things aren’t made to last forever. I took the picture of the goby at the top of the page with that.
I actually don’t think that is that bad. I don’t have to get any more of a close up then that.(would be nice, but I can’t always afford nice) I thought about getting another, but kind of got pissed when this one crapped out on me and they aren’t easy to find because they are so old.
Jon wrote
I don’t have to get any more of a close up then that.(would be nice, but I can’t always afford nice).
If that’s what u r looking for, and maybe just some adaptations,
Samsung - 12.2-Megapixel Digital Camera - Blue
Model: TL100 $200 focuses down to .3"
under $300
Nikon Coolpix S10 focuses down to 1.3", much more versatile, but$$
Jon, I just bought a Nikon d40 for my art classes and I absolutely love it. Its an SLR camera and its 6.1mp if I remember correctly, that being said, it takes better quality pictures than my 8mp point and shoot digital camera. Its roughly $500 for the body and the 18-55 zoom lens. Though I found mine on sears on sale and then got a 10% discount off of the sale price, so you just gotta look around.
And I’ve taken a few pictures of my tank with it already and its pretty kick butt.
I have no clue, I haven’t tried yet I opened up the box, read enough directions to get the camera working and then started taking pictures. But I’ll look into that.
thats why im leaning towards some of those less expensive point and shoot rigs. a few have macro focus range of just a few inches for a close up. those other older sited problems of auto focus shouldn’t be a problem close to the glass. many mega pixels allow for the cropping that Jon likes to do to zoom in on a portion of the photo. and then there is still the optic zoom and supposedly macro qualitites. I dont think an inexpensive camera with the right features would be that bad. unless you work for National Geographic. or something.
But , i’m not a photo phile. the last pics i’ve taken was with my old olympus 35 something or other, about 12 years ago. Somewhere out in the Carribean…
I really just like a camera to slip in a pocket and take a few nice pics now and then.
[quote=“kaptken, post:26, topic:2009”]
those other older sited problems of auto focus shouldn’t be a problem close to the glass. [/quote]
Shouldn’t? With an auto focus you are going to have problems. The camera won’t know what to focus and will spend a lot of time guessing if you want the rock, the coral, the glass, the fish, and all you might want is the small crab on the sand. Not having manual focus could leave you with a HUGE head ache and this reason alone drives many people to hirer end cameras.
[quote=“kaptken, post:26, topic:2009”]
supposedly macro qualitites. [/quote] You have reason to be skeptical. If you are going to try a macro shot with a point and shoot camera it would be better to slip into macro mode then to use the default settings, but don’t expect to zoom in on a small zoanthid frag or the mystery pod you are trying to get help identifying.
[quote=“kaptken, post:26, topic:2009”]
I really just like a camera to slip in a pocket and take a few nice pics now and then. [/quote]
Point and shoot is the way to go. Try to find a slim one with auto focus and I think you could be happy with it. Even if you are not perfectly satisfied it could be a good first step into the digital world and get your feet wet so to speak.(Just don’t get the camera wet leaning over the tanks.
Back to looking at my options. I REALLY need a camera soon.
~prices of cameras new on amazon:
$600 Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3 IS 6MP with 12x Image Stabilized Zoom
$560 Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)
What for a lense that will work?
$470 Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
I just need something that works for time being and spend more money later for something better. Tired of this stupid camera phone. I of course will shop and compair prices and look around for sales before purchasing.
Craig you mentioned a magnification filter… have a link? Do you use one?
hey jon, the camera guru over at reefland.com can answer any question you have on the subject, he’s who i got info from.
you don’t really need to use the macro lenses that can cost 400 bux, they have extension tubes that do the effect of pulling a school projector away from the wall.
I opened up the box, read enough directions to get the camera working and then started taking pictures. But I’ll look into that.