[nero0410]

I have recently bought my first half decent digital camera KODAK Z740

I would like to take photo's of the normal stuff, landscapes, wildlife, etc....But I would also like to take pictures of rain drops,drops splashing, insects etc.... Macro photography (which I really want to get into to bring the insect world to life)

EDIT: And hopefully be able to buy an extra to go underwater

for example:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/attac...9&d=1127512407

http://anti-matter-3d.com/The_World_.../Spider_04.jpg

I have a horrible feeling that I have chosen the wrong camera, or at least have to spend quite a bit to take photos like these great shots

Please help

tris

[sbowler]

Nero, your links require login info. Re the camera take it back for a px.

[nero0410]

Originally Posted by sbowler

Nero, your links require login info. Re the camera take it back for a px.

PX?? Part Exchange I presume?

I did buy the camera from Currys, and it was refurbished so they might

So what should I go for? (budget £200 max, can get extras later)

tris

[Peakoverload]

Have you bought the wrong camera?

Yes.

And No.

Lets take a look at the two photos you linked to.

In order to catch water droplets there are two things you need.

1. A fast shutter speed
2. No shutter lag.

Many compacts will struggle in achieving both of these but not all and if you have the ability to increase your ISO and your camera has a largish buffer to allow you to shoot a burst of several frames than you should still be able to achieve this but it will be a bit hit & miss (it still would with a DSLR but it would be a bit easier) but then that's the great thing about digital, if you miss the shot - delete it and try again. In short, there's no reason why with some patience you cant capture shots like that with a compact camera as long as its not too basic a camera.

As for macro there are a few considerations you should keep in mind:

1. True macro begins at a magnification ratio of 1:1 not all compacts or all SLR lenses can achieve this and none exceed it without spending a not so small fortune.

2. Manual focus is often best for macro as macro often has a very shallow depth of field even at very small apertures due to the fact that the subject is so close to the camera and manual focus allows you to precisley control what elements of the subject are sharp. If your camera doesnt have manual focus capability you may want to replace it.

3. For macro photography you often need either lots of light or the ability to set a high ISO. If your camera only has a limited ISO range or its only automatic ISO than you may want to change it. A disadvantage of compact cameras is their small sensor. Small sensors produce a lot more noise at high ISO's then larger sensors which is another reason why a DSLR is really best for macro work.

4. Focal range. Compact cameras have a fixed lens meaning it has to be a bit of a Jack of all trades, macro requires close focusing distance but this is expensive to produce so typically a dedicated SLR macro lens will always focus closer than a compact camera of a similar focal length.

5. If you REALLY want to get into macro then a DSLR really is the way to go. A compact simply cannot compare in this respect but DSLR's cost a few hundred pounds and you can spend the same again on a true macro lens i.e. one that offers 1:1 magnification, not to mention then the tripod, cable release, flash gun, off camera sync cord, ring flash, reflectors etc etc As you can see macro is an EXPENSIVE hobby so it's probably best to learn to walk before you run so stick with a compact but get one that offers macro and has the closest focusing distance you can afford at the 35mm equivalent of 100mm. If you can afford it, get one that has a remote shutter release and invest in a few reflectors or pieces of white card.

HTH

[nero0410]

I have had to take the Kodak back, due to it coming on and going off again straight away. So now I am going to be on the lookout for a new camera and take everything into consideration. I did have a look and a chat when I took the Kodak back, but there was nothing else in my price range there for me.

I guess I'll have to wait and save for a bit

Thanks for the help, it will help in buying another camera

tris

[nero0410]

A bit over my Budget, but would this one suit me?

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Anyone know where some sample pictures of this camera can be found, and have any advice
Would I be able to buy extra lens's for it like a SLR

tris

[Figment]

I am by no stretch of anyone's imagination an expert or even particularly knowledgeable in photography unlike some guys on here and so am more than happy to be shot down in flames BUT take a look at biscuits sharing thread
Biscuits sharing thread
judging by those photos I would be deliriously happy to put my name to them. He used a Panasonic FZ20 which so impressed me I then found there is one on ebay at a buy-it-now price for £240. If I had the cash I would be very tempted and no its not me selling it before anyone asks if I am pulling a fast one. But please dont take my word before getting more advice from the photography guys.

[nero0410]

Originally Posted by Figment

I am by no stretch of anyone's imagination an expert or even particularly knowledgeable in photography unlike some guys on here and so am more than happy to be shot down in flames BUT take a look at biscuits sharing thread
Biscuits sharing thread
judging by those photos I would be deliriously happy to put my name to them. He used a Panasonic FZ20 which so impressed me I then found there is one on ebay at a buy-it-now price for £240. If I had the cash I would be very tempted and no its not me selling it before anyone asks if I am pulling a fast one. But please dont take my word before getting more advice from the photography guys.

That does look a great camera, I think I may have missed the one on ebay though

I have found a load of info for the Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Here:

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/pss3is/components-e.html

and some sample images here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saschaa...ith/135379128/

It seems like it will do the job that I would like it to do going by that little flower

Please let me know what you guys think and post some sample images if you have this camera

However I have been told that that the S2 is basically exactly the same camera as the S3 apart from the colour and pixelcount?

It seems that the S2 is gonna be the best for my needs and budget. Now to find out where to buy one

tris

theres a review of the S3 here.. http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...hot_s3-review/

also you can look on pbase.com look for a camera in the camera database for picures people have taken with that camera. the S3 might not be there yet as its quite new, but the S2 is.

That cameras not bad but if it was me i would buy the Nikon coolpix 5000 which has 100-800 iso ratings a wide angle 28mm (film camera equivalent) lens excellent build quality lithium rechargable battery fairly compact in size and the ability to put a flash gun on a hot shoe i would also recommend the canon powershot g2 as a good camera thats worth looking at. In my opinion both these cameras would produce better shots than the canon s3.

[Biscuit761]

Wow praise for my pictures, chers Figment (or was it my imagination ?)

Anyway nero0410, I am really pleased with the FZ20, does all you think it can do and then some !

If you have £200 to spend I would consider it.

The only thing that does get me thinking though is the high ISO settings the DSLR camera's have, also going back to old 35mm days I do miss actually being able to see the crisp image on the mirror, the LCD back panel / viewfinder is perhaps the one thing that lets the FZ20 down, until you see the shots on the computer you are never really sure how good the focusing is, although auto seems to be pretty good as is the image stabilisation.

Bill

[nero0410]

Thank you for all your advice guys

I have gone with the Canon PowerShot A610, a completely different camera, but if I start off like this then really get into it I can save up for a digital SLR and have both. One being a little easier to lug about

tris