Newbie Help Wanted

[fionaess]

I wonder if anyone could help me please. I am a lampworker (I make glass beads) and take macro shots of them for my website. I am currently using my Panasonic DMC FZ4 - which takes ok macro shots but not really good ones - or is it me that doesn't take good shots and not my camera.
Im currently looking for a 2nd hand replacement - and I thought a Ricoh R6 or R7 - simply because I have read great reviews of their macro shots..
However.... would I be wasting my cash - it may be pennies to some of you but its a lot for me - and I should just get better taking shots with my Panasonic - or should I save up for the next year and buy something good?
I really need a mentor to get my head around this...
Thanks for reading...

[OrbitalPete]

I honestly can't imagine it's going to take significantly better photos.

What's your set up for taking your photos? You may benefit more from investing in some felt backing, a light or two and a small tripod.

[fionaess]

Yes, I did wonder, I have 2 trumpet bulb lights, a small table top tripod . So its what I thought in the first place.... the user and not the camera.. sometimes its not nice to be right Am I right in thinking that the extra MP's would'nt make much difference to my final macro pics?
Thanks for the info though.. any suggestions as to what I might read to increase my knowledge - or total lack of it - in using my camera for better macro shots.

[OrbitalPete]

Well, it's hard to tell what would help without seeing an example photo that demonstrates what is wrong.

If you could post up a photo or two we might be able to give some better advice.