Internet Horology Club 185
Looking to buy a P&S camera with a good macro for watches
September 07, 2013, 02:15
Dwayne Eugene PetersLooking to buy a P&S camera with a good macro for watches
I went to Best Buy today looking for a new camera, trying to keep it under $200.00, any suggestions from you camera buff. I wish to use it for taking quality macro pictures of my watches. I checked the post on suggestion of what camera to buy but nothing recent has been added, I understand the lense is to be the priority in my choice of camera. I would like to here from someone who has purchased one recently and is happy with the macro feature. thankyou Dwayne
September 07, 2013, 05:40
Eugene BuffardI have know idea what a P + S is.
Dwayne I done a Search on macro camera on the site. It came up with 91 results.
Here is the
Macro camera linkSeptember 07, 2013, 05:44
Eugene BuffardOH

point and shoot.
This might be a better
A new Camera it don't even need lights to do macroYou might want to check what keith and lorne Have to say on the link above.
I find the problem with most Macro s is not enough light.
I believe the better thing to do is take a photo back about 4-5 inches. Then crop down. To do this you need the Mega Pixals
Just remember when you are uploading to this site you can't upload poster size photos.
September 07, 2013, 05:54
Eugene BuffardHere is a example.
This is how the photo looks that I shot.
September 07, 2013, 05:56
Eugene BuffardThis is after I cropped.
September 07, 2013, 06:03
Eugene BuffardHere is a link to a camera that Lorne highly praised.
Camera $18. including shipping September 07, 2013, 06:58
Dwayne Eugene PetersP
P&S is point and shoot
September 07, 2013, 09:35
Dave TurnerI'll watch this thread closely. I'm looking for a camera too. My search so far is leading me toward a Nikon D80.
Look forward to thoughts and opinions from others.
Dave Turner
September 07, 2013, 09:40
Eugene BuffardIf all you are planning to do is photo watches the D80 is way more price wise than what you need.
September 07, 2013, 09:52
Dave TurnerGene,
You're absolutely right, but I'm thinking I might use it for more than that if I had a decent camera.
Here's the post that lead me in this direction.
Canon 5:1 macro lens by William White
Dave Turner
September 07, 2013, 12:31
Peter KaszubskiCamera is have the problem in taking good pictures
you will also need good lights
there is portable studio on sale on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/LimoStud...+studio+lighting+kitSeptember 07, 2013, 13:44
Gary E. FosterI use a Canon Powershot, works well for me.
Gary
September 07, 2013, 16:18
Kevin MoodieI use an obsolete Canon PowerShot Pro 1. It only shoots 8 megapixels, or 6 in it's great super macro mode. In this mode it focuses virtually touching the subject. I used mine for years hiking and touring. It has a great lens. I see them (used) on the bay for 100 and up.
September 07, 2013, 16:56
Barry HansteinDwayne:
I use a Canon Powershot A2200 with 4X optical zoom and 14.1 mega pixels. You can literally put the camera right next to your subject for great close-ups--no cropping necessary. I got this camera last year for around $150. Equally important is a photo tent ($150), proper photo lighting lamps (approx. $100) and 18% gray boards for true color representation. A reputable camera/photography shop (not Wal-Mart) can set you up with what you need and will usually give you an impromptu lesson using the camera, especially if you are spending $$ at their shop.
September 07, 2013, 20:15
Dwayne Eugene Petersquote:
1636
Barry I think the cannon A2200 is for me I ck the specs everything ck out on my wish list. ebay is loaded with them, it has a 3-50 mm focus range on the macro mode I can build a light box all I have to do is figure out some kind of lighting. Any members out there have a reasonable price solution?
September 07, 2013, 20:28
Dwayne Eugene PetersOn ebay I found two Portable Photo Lights For Softbox lamp lighting 5000K 50W 120V FROM Silicon Valley, ca. for only $14.95 with free shipping and they have there on stands, 9.5" tall. what do you think barry?
September 07, 2013, 20:49
Dwayne Eugene PetersI'm sorry its macro focus range is 3-50 cm not mm dwayne
September 07, 2013, 22:23
Barry HansteinFor someone looking to get a "fast start" to producing quality images, a consultation with someone at a camera/photography shop is the way to go. I merely mentioned the approximate amount I spent to acquire what I believe are essentials, but am not familiar with the specs or features of other cameras....
September 07, 2013, 23:10
David AbbeMy Canon "Powershot" A610 has been my favorite "Knockabout" camera for years. I used it to post most of my IHC 185 pictures from about 2008-Present. It has been totally reliable and
runs on AA batteries. To me the AA power (VERY RELIABLE) combined with a REAL WORKING "Retro" Viewfinder is a
BIG PLUS for all my inside, outside and "Macro" Photography.!
The 200+ Kbyte load limit for IHC leaves lots of space for good clear pictures, and this Canon has all the pixels you ever want or need.
This one is on eBay right now at;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-...&hash=item3a847c43d5September 08, 2013, 09:32
Eugene BuffardDave that looks like a real bargain.
September 08, 2013, 17:58
Lorne WasylishenI picked up a used Nikon COOLPIX880 on eBay for $40, it's my go to unit now.
September 09, 2013, 00:36
William D. WhiteLorne,
That seems just about as good as one would need for our purposes here. It's close, sharp and the white balance is good. $40 well spent!
William
September 09, 2013, 08:36
Dave TurnerAppreciate all the input guys. I'm taking it all in and appreciate all the suggestions.
I was bent on a Nikon D series, but this photo from Lorne really looks good. And for $40!!...
Dave Turner
September 09, 2013, 10:46
Tom DunnIf the camera you want is primarily for taking watch pictures it would be hard to beat a cheap Fuji. I have 5 or 6 of this one, been using it since 2001. In my business the pics HAVE to be top notch. I have tried newer hi pixel stuff, that is all meaningless the pics are what counts. This camera is a 2.2 MP but look at the shots below, all taken with my Fuji. And these can be had for under 50 bucks! They were $900.00 new, not a low end unit by any means.
I have NEVER used the macro feature, it just doesn't take good pictures. You don't need amplification, you need a good manual lens. This has a manual focus lens on it, just get close, manually focus it, and shoot. Here are the results:
It does equally well with pocketwatch movements, if you dont have a website you can crop and enlarge like Gene says above to fit here:
All of the above were taken on manual setting with the focus ring. It also has an automatic setting which works well outdoors as seen below:
Might be something to consider, there's some good ones on there right now. Google it and read a review as well. Good Luck!
Fuji 4900 CamerasSeptember 09, 2013, 11:17
Lorne WasylishenTom is right about the high pixel cameras, you only need them if you are printing copies 8X10 or larger.
If you do buy a used camera make sure all the rigging comes with it, especially instruction book and charger.
September 09, 2013, 12:19
David AbbeThat is why I like the Canon I posted here, it uses AA cells which last for years.
September 09, 2013, 12:20
David Abbeeven with riders (Marjorie's 56th Birthday party on a cool morning in the mountains)
September 09, 2013, 12:29
Tom DunnLet's Ride, Dave!
That's a Road Glide, isn't it?
September 09, 2013, 13:33
Eric UnseltA lot of our members ride. Ray Hallenbeck rides; I know Andy Schwartz owns one, because it's still sitting in his garage.
My own 2012 Heritage Classic:
September 09, 2013, 14:15
David AbbeYes that is an 03 Road Glide cooling down from an 8 hour ride from Reno to San Diego. The S&S .565 Gear Driven cams combined with early S.E. Re-ported Small valve heads, 10.5-1 Pistons and my design Hi-Velocity Bypass Air Cleaner delivered 103 Ponies and still allowed 43+ MPG @80-85 MPH "Cruise".
Burned a little more when you were in a "Hurry", tho.
September 09, 2013, 15:34
William D. White
September 09, 2013, 20:08
Ken HabeebI'm probably not supposed to laugh at that, Will, but it is a very funny/cool lookin' thing, as in if I was near it and you looked away... frooom, gone!

kh
September 09, 2013, 23:23
Evan PattonLOVE the kick starter Will!
98 Dyna convertible for me. No pics tho--haven't found which box my camera's in yet!