new camera needed!

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I need to buy a camera to take pictures of my works. These pics will be added to my web site, forth coming,. Can anyone suggest an affordable camera that photos metal well?Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:I'm using the Fujifilm Finepix SA 700Seems to do a fantastic job on closeups, but the long shots aren't too great.It does have selectable "film" types.  It will deal with different renditions of color.  Varying from flat colors, to rich enhanced colorI don't know if that helps"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:This is where I learned that my older Nikon Coolpix 995 had a great macro capability (and why I bought it). Macro is one of dpreview's measured criteria. I liked the Nikon macro better than my Canon S2 IS. I killed the Nikon, through no fault of its own. http://www.dpreview.com/http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html is good also.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Hey Wagin!After a few dud cameras, I've been very happy with my choice of a Fujifilm Z20.Some features I like about it are: very compact size, fixed motor-less lens with integral sliding cover, long battery life. Macro mode has sharp focus, and the flash has a one-button force or suppress.http://www.fujifilm.com/products/dig...ews/index.htmlI especially like the fast, one-hand, no-eyes start up; as I pull the camera out of my pocket, I slide the cover open and in about a second, total time, it's ready to shoot. I paid about $150 last year.Good Luck
Reply:Bought my wife a Fujifilm 300  couple of years ago and and liked (used) it so much , that I recently got a Fujifilm 360 for myself. older camera but dirt cheap. Other cams I had ate batteries and would not work w/recharheables (3.2 v) Seems Fujifilm  is a popular camera judjing from above posts.A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:No camera Photographs Metal well- yer gonna have to learn how to Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Since you mentioned that this is for Photos of your work to go on yer Web Site- BTW where's the Link??-Get a Tripod also.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I like the Canon point-n-shoots for garage cameras because they take regular Alkaline AAs, rechargable NiMH AAs or any of the newfangled Li-Ion AAs and they primarily store media on Secure Digital (SD) cards which are the norm - not xD or CF or MMC or Memory Stick or DVD or CD.Any of the Canon PowerShot series are great, and many have options of Macro and SuperMacro for those extreme close-ups.Here's another great resource for digicam info.http://imaging-resource.com/And here's where you can price them out easily.http://dealnews.com/digital-cameras/
Reply:i bought mine at buydig.comthay have the best prices Attached Images
Reply:I own the same camera that farmersamm has. It exceeds what I expected in a digital camera. But, I bought my son a Canon Powershot A470 for Christmas and it has features that the the more expensive FujiFilm doesn't. Canon is the way to go! If your going to buy online, here is where I got the Canon and the FujiFilm, both.http://www.refurbdepot.com These people stand behind what they sell and Refurb usually means opened in the store/or returned, then repackaged by these people for resale. I'm happy with them.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Canon A560.  Uses 2 AA batteries.  Last long time.  Had a Hewlett Packard that ate batteries.  The 560 even does pretty good video.  Lots of bang for the bucks.
Reply:Like Ed said, you will have to learn to take the photo, the camera just captures what it sees.If you go to Wally World and buy a plastic container, one of those tub type with the lids, you can throw the lid away and turn the tub upside down. You cut an opening in the edge of tub where the bottom and the wall meet (3" square or so). Then you put the tub over your small items like a knife as you want it displayed on a background of some kind. Shine lights onto the tub and take the photo through the opening. The tub acts like a light box and diffuses the light so you don't get any wash out in your picture. Set your white balance for the type of lights you have and take pictures and move the lights around until you get what you like.Digital is the way to go and if you can afford it a SLR is better than point and shoot but they are more costly.Reflection is the main killer when photographing polished items like knives. It will reflect you, the camera, the walls, the TV and anything else around so you have to use a box to keep all those things out of your photo. You will get a pretty white looking blade and not a metal look so much but way better than a dark blade.There are a lot of people that are great at taking pictures of shiny things and I am not one of them.Last edited by Bob Warner; 04-14-2009 at 09:44 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Since you mentioned that this is for Photos of your work to go on yer Web Site- BTW where's the Link??-Get a Tripod also.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrep...After a few dud cameras, I've been very happy with my choice of a Fujifilm Z20...
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob WarnerLike Ed said, you will have to learn to take the photo, the camera just captures what it sees.If you go to Wally World and buy a plastic container, one of those tub type with the lids, you can throw the lid away and turn the tub upside down. You cut an opening in the edge of tub where the bottom and the wall meet (3" square or so). Then you put the tub over your small items like a knife as you want it displayed on a background of some kind. Shine lights onto the tub and take the photo through the opening. The tub acts like a light box and diffuses the light so you don't get any wash out in your picture. Set your white balance for the type of lights you have and take pictures and move the lights around until you get what you like.Digital is the way to go and if you can afford it a SLR is better than point and shoot but they are more costly.Reflection is the main killer when photographing polished items like knives. It will reflect you, the camera, the walls, the TV and anything else around so you have to use a box to keep all those things out of your photo. You will get a pretty white looking blade and not a metal look so much but way better than a dark blade.There are a lot of people that are great at taking pictures of shiny things and I am not one of them.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepJust thought I'd mention that as happy as I am with the Fujifilm for still pictures, yesterday I found out that it's definitely lacking in movie features. It records movies in an MPEG4 format which Windows Movie Maker doesn't recognize, and so far,  I am unable to play back or edit  the MPEG4 movie format on my PC.But for still images, I've found yhe Z20 to be a an excellent camera, that is also very rugged, compact and fast.Good Luck
Reply:Charlie,Currently my photography setup is in the attic.HOWEVER, here is a very similar setup. Instead of the pricey cube, use the plastic box instead. Just cut a 3" or so hole in the bottom of the box on the edge between corners for the camera to see into.You can use any kind of lights you want like the halogen work lights from Home Depot, you just need to move the lights around and then set your white balance. I think the compact florescent are pretty good also but ALWAYS set you white balance to match the lighting.Bob Attached Images
Reply:You can also make a light diffusion box out of some white nylon wind breaker material.I use that material for making diffusion panels, light boxes, and so forth!Heres a couple of pictures I made using this type of material.I know, its not a welding picture, but you get the idea!And to second Bob Warner, a DSLR, as in digital single lens reflex camera, is hard to beat for this type work, as it gives you total control over your photography!I use a Nikon based Fuji S3 Pro DSLR.The pictures below was made with a Fuji S2 Pro Attached Images#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Thanks Bob & Ken.  That will fix the flares I have so much trouble with in lighting.  Charlie
Reply:Originally Posted by viper522denrep, you want to install QuickTime from Apple (free) to play back those MPEG4 movies.http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Reply:When you look for a plastic box like the one in the image I posted, be sure not to get a clear one.In the earlier discussion there was talk about depth of field. It does not always work out, especially when speed is also in the photo.  Attached is a photo from my back yard. I was trying to get the bee and the flower in focus but was also trying to stop the bees wings also. I did not succeed but the photo is kinda cool anyway and I would like it more if the bee was not blurred.Also, here is a photo of my son Kevin. This is his version of the Orbitz commercial, GOT A DIRTY MOUTH? Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by denrep...After a few dud cameras, I've been very happy with my choice of a Fujifilm Z20....
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepBad news - After just six months of service, the Z20 is down, the lens seems to have lost vision.Good Luck
Reply:Denrep!You da man!I wouldn't even attempt such delicate work, my hands are just not designed for delicate work enough "to big and clumsy", I guess thats why I prefer to work with steel, its harder to break! #1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htmBad news - The WeldingWeb photo experience is definately going to suffer. Old faithful went through a complete laundry wash cycle, in a Carhart jacket's pocket. It was loaded with photo card and battery.Attachment 45478The drowned camera is undergoing emergency dry-out, by way of toaster oven. Meanwhile the jumbo-sized, battery eating, garage sale camera is filling in.We may have just enough parts for one more rebuild. Attachment 45480Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:43 PM.
Reply:I would say you do not need a dslr for shots foe a web page. but you may want to make sure you can do other than auto point and shoot, so look for:Macro exposure              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_%28photography%29f-stop adjustment "adjust the amount of light let in"  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-numberISO adjustment     "sensitivity of sensor" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_speedflash shoe             "place to add a flash"f-stop/iso/exposure together will give you great control of how your images come out once you know just a little bit. look at white balance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_balance
Reply:Unless your looking for DSLR...Cannon Powershot, can't be beat it for the money. Very durable and takes great pictures. We have had 4 over the years and all are still working great, fishing, camping, hunting general family, macros...they work great and are very easy to use.
Reply:I have a number of cameras and lenses and they range from affordable to stupid expensive but I would suggest you buy a camera that has 'ANTI-SHAKE' and a decent MACRO function.  Not all Macro's are equal and not all CCD's are the same.  Also, there is a HUGE difference between OPTICAL and DIGITAL ZOOM !  This is one of the reason so many posters have OOF photos too....Steve's digicams (http://www.steves-digicams.com) is one of the best places to look at current cameras, lenses and many things related to photography.  The REVIEWS are SUPER in-depth and will allow you to see EXACTLY what it is that you are buying and how much it 'should cost' from various vendors.Cheers,/Jman...Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:Denrep!Right now is a great time to look into buying used!I just bought a nice little Canon Powershot A720 IS 8.0 megapixel camera, the IS is for image stabilization, this is the first camera that I have owned with that feature, and man does it work well!I bought this camera from a girl that needed money, she got this camera new last year for a birthday present, and she sold it to me, complete, even the original box for $75.00, like new, hardly used, "List is like around $500.00.This camera can also do video, up to an hour of video or longer, depending on the size of the memory card I have installed.And like a DSLR, you can use it in either full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, or full auto, set the ISO speeds and so on, just like the big cameras, if you want to get creative that is!It takes great pictures, and yes it has Macro and 6x optical zoom too, and one of the few pocket size digital cameras that has a true see through view finder "Not an image on a tiny screen in the viewfinder" as well as the use of the screen on the back for composing the shot!Digital camera technology over the past handful of years, sure has exploded, and the prices, even for new, has dropped considerably!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:This morning, after a few days of dry out, I tried to fire up the soaked camera, but no reply. Thanks for the suggestions.My specs are kind of tight:Slim pocket size.No motor drive lens, or protruding lens.Protected lens with slide-open cover.Fast start and recovery.The Fujis were spot on.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 02-05-2010 at 07:36 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepThis morning, after a few days of dry out, I tried to fire up the soaked camera, but no reply. Thanks for the suggestions.My specs are kind of tight:Slim pocket size.No motor drive lens, or protruding lens.Protected lens with slide-open cover.Fast start and recovery.The Fujis were spot on.Good Luck
Reply:Originally Posted by 59halfstepAnd WATERPROOF
Reply:Sounds like you need one of those credit card size cameras thats made of Titanium and sealed for water resistance!Add a laser cutter and a cork screw/lock picker to it and you would have something that 007 would carry around! #1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...on=stylustoughOlympus Stylus Tough series camerasEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by paweldorCanon A560.  Uses 2 AA batteries.  Last long time.  Had a Hewlett Packard that ate batteries.  The 560 even does pretty good video.  Lots of bang for the bucks.
Reply:If you are just taking shots to post on web forums then a point and shoot camera will do ok, but if you are shooting macro shots to show significant details you really need a DLSR with a removable lens. Low to mid-range DLSRs with a good kit lens from Nikon and Canon are fairly inexpensive and will give the opportunity to control all the parameters that matter.  The problem with Macro "modes" on P&S cams is the lack of magnification and lack of control of depth of field.  These along with the lighting issues discussed earlier are critical to getting good pictures.With a replaceable lens DLSR you can use an inexpensive extension tube and get true Macro magnification levels even with an inexpensive kit lens.The difference is amazing. If you get the lighting right you'll see detail that will blow you away.Above all take the advice given earlier and BUY A TRIPOD.  It will make all the difference.Good luck. Attached Images
Reply:Very nice shots Exotherm. But how do you get the shot if you're driving down the road and happen to  see an airborne car? (Yah, I got it! )No doubt the replacement camera I seek won't land any work with National Geographic.But... If the camera is not compact enough to comfortably carry in a pocket at all times, rugged enough to stand up to dirt and rough handling, and fast enough to use on a moments notice; then it would probably be sitting on a shelf and never take any pictures.There was a Panasonic unveiled a few days ago that looks like it could meet specs. Although the Fujifilms have served well, I may just get another of the same model.Plus I already have spare parts in stock. Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 02-06-2010 at 06:59 PM.
Reply:denrep - Based on the requirements you listed take a look at these from Olympus :http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10...gh80106020.asp
Reply:Exotherm - Thanks for the suggestion. The Olympus looks good, but for me the covered lens requirement is nonnegotiable. I often keep the camera jammed in a pocket full of junk, or sliding around in a cab.But we are back in the photo bidness.I went with an identical replacement.The new camera posed next to the old, at the camera junkyard - digital division. Attachment 45765Here's some test photos:The valve packAttachment 45766Close up of the valve's tagAttachment 45767Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:43 PM.
Reply:Very nice Denrep. But I'm kinda puzzled. How did you take a photo if all your cameras are in the box?  Tell me so I can learn how to do dat. SteveJunkYard Tools .com
Reply:Originally Posted by rookie_steveVery nice Denrep. But I'm kinda puzzled. How did you take a photo if all your cameras are in the box?  Tell me so I can learn how to do dat. Steve
Reply:...barely alive.  Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology... We can make him better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster...No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Denrep..What exactly is wrong with you? ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterDenrep..What exactly is wrong with you? ...zap!
Reply:hehe i wanna play Canon EOS 50d Attached Images
Reply:the old pump truck .....u work around stuff like that denrep?
Reply:Super macro is nice to have, here's a pic of a ball point pen. Attached ImagesLast edited by north of the 53rd; 03-06-2010 at 01:04 PM.