 David N. Bell |
digital point and shoot camera I would like to know if there is a good point and shoot camera on the market that will take good photos in macro mode and retain focus at a distance of 12 inches and up in the macro mode? thanks dbell
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Alan N. Marcus |
Hi David, Most have a marcro mode. I like the Canon S5 it is a fine camera. Will operate just like a point-and-shoot in 'Auto" however has full manaul. Has two 'Macro Modes' Marco and Super Macro Price is good too. Alan Marcus
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W. |
Hi David, you may also want to have a long, hard look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcfz28.php). Have fun!
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David N. Bell |
Alan, you were saying that you can focus right down to the glass (which is good) but I was wanting one where it would focus a good distance in macro to get the proper lighting? thanks dbell
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W. |
Hi David, in Tele the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcfz28.php) does macro at a distance. Have fun!
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David N. Bell |
thanks, I will look at the panasonic.
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Alan N. Marcus |
I said it would focus rgiht down to the glass. I did not say it wouldn't focus at other close distances. It does. It focuses at all distanced - touching the front lens glass to infinity. It remains your best bet. Alan Marcus
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David N. Bell |
Alan, so you are saying that the S-5 will focus in macro at say, 16 inches? just asking I haven't looked at one yet. thanks again db
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Alan N. Marcus |
Canon S5: Focusing range: Normal is 19.2 inches to infinity Macro 3.9 inches to 19.2 inches Super Macro touching front lens glass to 3.9 inches You can mount a Canon 500D close-up lens The ability to close focus is widespread, i.e. most modern digitals have this capability. The term ‘Marco’ has been distorted by the marking folks. Nowadays it means close focus. This is an incorrect characterization. When a camera is focused at the infinity (far distant) position, the lens to focal plane (rear nodal lens to surface of the imaging chip) is at its closest. As you focus on nearby subjects, the lens is caused to rack (extend) forward. At unity (life size) the lens is extended two focal lengths forward. A 50mm lens is 50mm from the focal plane when focused at infinity. At unity (life size) the lens is racked forwarded, now it is 100mm from the focal plane. As the lens racks forward its working focal length becomes the same as its extension. The f/number (aperture) engraved on the lens barrel becomes invalidated. These are based on the working focal length at the infinity position. At unity the error is four fold (4X) or two f/stops. Unless a countermeasure is made the picture will be underexposed. Traditionally cameras allowed close focus until the error reached 1/3 f/stop. This likely occurs at about 24 inches for most cameras. Thus older cameras were restricted as to how close you could get. The solution was to mount a close-up lens, it fools the camera into thinking it is further away. Or remove the lens and mechanically re-mount using spacers (rings or bellows). When rings and /or bellows are employed exposure is tough because you must compensate for the aperture error (bellows factor). Under exposure is expected. Modern cameras with through-the-lens metering eliminated the difficulty of exposure determination thus most modern cameras allow close focusing. Now a camera lens is designed to image the outside world which is likely uneven (not flat) and project this image on a flat plane (chip surface). At close focus, depth-of-field is nonresistant so the subject is mostly flat, not irregular. Now a true macro lens is designed to be corrected for unity i.e. correct for life size and designed to work flat-to-flat whereby a standard lens is corrected for infinity and designed to work curved-to-flat. Additionally a true macro mechanically adjusts its aperture as you close focus; i.e. compensation is independent of the camera’s metering system. The Canon S5 is remarkable, quite a buy for the money $300 street price. Alan Marcus (marginal technical gobbledygook)
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David N. Bell |
Alan, one last time. sounds like you are sold on the S-5. two other cameras your opinion on before I buy the S-5. For coin photography, two other cameras your opinion on: Canon sx110Is, 9.0 megapixels and the canon SLR. (again for coin photography, which one of the three? How does the SX 110IS compare to the S-5, macro photos and all other? thanks david
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Alan N. Marcus |
David, I don’t have a clue! For me, 50+ years in the business, My first real camera was a 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ Speed Graphic given to me in 1953. Keep in mind, camera’s are tools. One of the dangers is, you fall in love with your tools. When that happens, you spend more time looking at camera’s and less time working them. I am not in love with the S5, but at $300, I think it’s a great buy. Additionally I like Canon and Nikon software. Nowadays, software inside the camera is likely more important then the hardware. Digital means processing the image and that calls for chip logic and the modern camera is loaded with pixie dust that massages the image a lot. Digital makers not in the business for a long time are fly-by-night flash-in-the-pan types. New guys are welcome but the learning curve is steep. Disadvantages: I like it because at my stage in my life $300 is reasonable. I leave on the 7th for NY City and Norwegian cruse line for a trip to Boston – Prince Edward Island and down the St. Laurence and back. If I trip and fall (I am 70) or the camera is damaged or stolen etc. I will cry a little and buy another. Meanwhile, on my shelf, one 8x10 view one 5x7 view a couple of 4x5 press and view a couple of mid format’s a couple of Rolieflex’s a couple of Nikon SLR’s a couple of Nikon digitals a couple of Canon digitals lots of discarded point-an-shots 110 and 126 and a couple of APS 24mm. I will take one camera on this trip, the Canon S5 I will try to talk my wife into taking a Fuji point-and-shoot digital. Alan Marcus (more marginal technical nonsense)
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Jessica Jenney |
Also under $300 http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/19389/kodak-easyshare-z1015-is/
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Alan N. Marcus |
From lattest issue PMA International New line: New ultra zoom Canon 10-megapixel SX10 captures movies up to one hour The PowerShot SX10 IS can capture individual movies up to one hour or 4GB per clip, while using the new Voice Coil Motor (VCM), which enables faster focusing speed while reducing focusing noise, says Canon. Additionally, the SX10 comes equipped with 24 shooting modes, ranging from fully automatic to manual, and is accessible through an SLR-style mode dial located on top of the camera. While in manual shooting mode, a variety of settings can be selected through the screen, including Program AE, Shutter-speed priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual exposure and Custom mode. The newly upgraded DIGIC 4 image processor accounts for the camera's higher performance levels, including significantly improved signal processing speed and higher image quality, says Canon. The image processor features Servo AF, a form of continuous focus tracking for moving subjects. By pressing the shutter button half-way, the camera can track subject movement up to the instant of exposure, resulting in sharper photographs. Additionally, the processor's high ISO speed noise reduction processing has improved to enable consumers to shoot high-quality images in extremely dark situations without the use of a flash. The new Intelligent Contrast Correction function automatically improves image quality in high-contrast shooting situations. Scheduled to be available in late October, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera will be $399.99. Kit contents will include four AA Alkaline batteries, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a neck strap, lens cap, lens hood, Canon's software suite and a 1-year Canon U.S.A. Inc. limited warranty
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Jessica Jenney |
The Canon SX10 IS doesn't have a viewfinder.
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Alan N. Marcus |
Viewfinder & Monitor Viewfinder TFT color (same as S5) LCD Monitor 2.5-inch TFT color vari-angle LCD with wide viewing angle LCD Pixels Approx. 230,000 pixels LCD Coverage 100%
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Jessica Jenney |
You're right, Alan! WOW! I may buy it!
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Oliver Anderson |
Point N Shoot. I bought a Canon G9 for a buddy last month and used it last week with a Canon 430ex flash on the Playboy Cruise we were on. The camera can fit into a pocket, lens is f/2.8 and it shoots RAW. combined with the flash it was still lightweight enough to wear around and not be bothered. Check out that camera...and as always happens with technology Canon announced Tues that they are releasing the G10...Still there are many that believe the optics on the G9 are better than the G10.
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David N. Bell |
Oliver, will it hold focus at a distance, say 12 to 16 inches while in macro mode? Can a close up lens be use with it? thanks db
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Oliver Anderson |
It has a macro mode...but I didn't use it. I'd read the DP Reviews on it but can honestly say its by FAR the best PointnShoot out there. I know the Canon Explorers of Light and Printmasters use it all the time when they don't wanna carry their bulky cameras. If you buy it from Adorama they'll probably let you return it if your not pleased. BH is sold out.
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W. |
Add-on lenses wreck your image quality, David. They soften focus and increase flare, and chromatic abberation (purple fringeing). Better not waste your money on "add-on lenses". Have fun!
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Jessica Jenney |
The Canon G9 is nice to have as a backup camera, but if that's your only camera you may want a super zoom with wide-angle like the Canon Alan mentioned...the SX10 IS
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David N. Bell |
Hey, jessica alan recommended the S-5 also, which one you think the s-5 or sx-10, about all I will be shooting is coins and occasional other use, cruises etc. thanks dbell
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W. |
"will it hold focus at a distance, say 12 to 16 inches while in macro mode?" "all I will be shooting is coins" What coins need to be photographed at 12 to 16 inches distance from the lens, David? Coins in a museum's display cases? Or what? Because if it's your own coin collection, why couldn't those coins be closer than 12 to 16 inches to the lens?
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W. |
BTW, if you shoot macro you will need appropriate macro lighting. Ideally, you would want a twin macro flash gun, or a ringlight macro flash gun. But those cost about as much as a G9, G10, S5, or SX10! So you may want to start simple, but effectively. Look at this brilliant 3 cents macro soft box.
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