I am looking at purchasing a small digital camera to photograph watches etc. And I have to say that I'm so impressed with the pics I see on this site (Adam Dubin, comes to mind) you are the obvious starting point.

I've read some previous threads but when I went into the shop today with my ideas they said that these models are no longer stocked.

Here is the spec.

I'm not wanting to pay a fortune but I want something thats up to the job and it would be handy if I could carry it around in my suit pocket without me being lop sided.

I'd rather pay a bit more and have something decent.

I also don't want to be taking forever getting it in focus (And get just one good photo out of 10) I'd like to get it right first second or third time.

Finally I don't want to do anything really clever with it like manual override etc it just needs to take good photos of watch dials and movements, the more detail the better.

Am I asking the impossible?

Grateful for any steers from you experts out there, who are doing it already.

Clive,

There are many newer models out there that will do what you want, but many times, the setting and lighting is just as important as the camera.

Among the newer models, which are remarkably inexpensive compared to just a few years ago, the features you want are a macro focus capability (preferably with a short (1.5 inch or so) minimum distance), an optical zoom - most have 3x, but more is better, and a high ISO rating, which improves low light performance and speed of focus. Most models have at least 800 ISO, I have a year-old Nikon which has 1600, and I've recently seen some advertised with 3200.

Almost all of the name brand pocket models will have some combination of these features. I would just use this as a starting point to find the ones that best suit your needs.

My two cents,

Cary

Once you start using a macro mode for pictures, the camera will shake a bit when you squeeze the shutter. I'd also recommend a small investment in a tabletop tripod.

Use this and your cameras autotimer feature and you can take very detailed photographs.

Even the cell phone cameras are getting better. Inspired by your questions, I just snapped this one a few minutes ago on the cell phone at uploaded to the computer.



Phone is an AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes). I normally use a Nikon Coolpix 3700. Really small camera with a lot of features.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

I use a 3-year-old Canon PowerShot S410 Digital Elph (4 megapixel); it's compact enough to fit in one's pocket (the primary reason I bought it).

The trick with the moderate macro shots I've posted is to use natural lighting (i.e. no flash), and to use the largest file size, then crop the image down. I don't use a tripod, and sometimes have to retake a shot several times before one is completely in focus. One can magnify the image immediately on my camera (probably on most others as well) to judge the success of the photo.

I do the same as Adam, my Canon Powershot S400 does quite well, and while it can do 4 meg, it will download through the lo-cal microsoft program into low res photios that are small enough to use in chap 185 postings.(ex flash picture of my cheap watch below) Natural sunlight is the best source, but indoors at Macro, flash can be used, but it takes some experimentation. (Note for our professional stuff At the office we use a Macro-Zoom video camera, and that is fantastic because you can take exceptional micro photos at a distance of 3 - 4 feet away from the subject, giving you virtual infinite depth of field.

I find that abundant room incandescent light is enough for my macro shots. Flash always looks unnatural to me, and adds excessive glare...

Thanks guys - I've taken notes, much appreciated. Once I have something sorted out I'll start posting pics on the forum.

Clive.....I suggest that you check out this website: Ken Rockwell - Click on the What's New link, and scroll down to the Holiday Recommendations link. Better yet, simply click on the Recommended Cameras link on the top left of the page. There you will find his opinions about lots of cameras, including a few consumer point and shoot digitals. You can also search his site to see what other cameras that might interest you that he has written about.

There is lots of info contained on his site, so be prepared to spend some time reading. I know Ken (he is a neighbor), and we belong to the same photo club. I like him, and respect his opinions. See if you like what he says, and if his reviews make sense to you. He takes no free equipment from manufacturers, so he is not beholden to anyone. He makes money off donations people make thru Paypal on his website, so he says what he thinks, without worrying about offending any manufacturers.

I usually use professional Nikon digital equipment, but sometimes, I like the ease of a simple piece of equipment, like the Sony DSC-F717 that I purchased about 5 years ago. Took the shot of the Pinehurst with the Sony.....

Good luck!

Nathan

Great site Nathan. Thanks for sharing.

Great site Nathan... I really appreciate your
sharing!

bernie levine

I use a Fuji S9600 - which will focus very close indeed, to about 1 cm - at which point it is impossible to take a picture because the camera casts a shadow on the subject !

Anyway a good versatile camera which can use cheap Compact Flash memory cards and regular size AA batteries.

Dan.

The Canon S400 should be available "used" for under $100.00 and (again) is very easy to download into this site's very restricted picture density. It works best (as all do) with natural sunlight. These pics I took (hand-held, but minitripod helps in macro w no flash) right next to my computer minutes ago in Flourescent lighting. Most important is that each image is well below 100k bytes, and therefore easily loadable to Chap. 185 stie

A large Elgin Pocket

An older Waltham Gilded

The Seiko Movement at 28 kBytes (I accidently "mirror imaged it while cropping this one)

There is no bad advice given here. The web sites are great with plenty of good clues. I have been trying to take pictures that just come near some I have seen posted. I have made a discovery that will help after you decide which camera to get. After being spurred to look into which camera I should trade for to get good macros, I decided to get my Canon SD300 Digital ELPH book out. No matter what camera you get, you'll never get the most out of it unless you take the time to "READ THE MANUAL"! I honestly feel I have a new camera. Thanks for starting this thread. It's just another good thing about 185.

Don Evans

All these are excellent points, maybe the best one of all being when Donald Evans realized he did not need a new camera but only needed to "READ THE MANUAL" for his existing camera! Most digital cameras have a macro setting, often a little flower on the screen, but it must be selected in order to function.

There is an IHC185 Forum titled "How to Photograph Your Watches and Clocks" with helpful information and related links. So, look into that and yes "READ THE MANUAL" for your camera!

Don

I've been using an old, now obsolete Nikon Cool Pix 995, it's only 4.2 pixels, but has a great macro setting, I can go as close as 3/4 inch. here is a shot of an Accutron I just sold on Ebay
Harold