best low level camera?

[crsswift70]

Is there a sub $300 camera that has the ability to take macro shots worth a darn? I don't have the cash to buy one of the higher end cameras with extra macro lens at the moment.

 

[leshampton]

I have a canon sd850 that I took this with.

It just takes some playing with though and of course it's not to be compared with slr's but I didn't think it was too bad. I'm not sure how much they cost now but I know it's under 300.

 

[reefman23]

It depends how close up you want the macros... you arent going to be able to get in as tight as you could with a DSLR and a nice macro lense. But here are a few I took with my Panasonic FZ8 which you should be able to get for under $300 new.

You should be able to take decent macro shots with most P&S cameras. It is just a matter of knowing how to best use the features of the camera.

Jesse

 

[skippy2]

I took this shot with my canon sd750. It was a gift but I don't think it was over $300. I did just take a photography class so that was a big help.

 

[crsswift70]

oh wow... i can't get nearly that much detail with the two HP's i have. I will look in to them. Thanks

 

[reefman23]

Dont forget to make sure your lense is clean, the glass on your tank is clean (inside and out), turn your pumps off, and take the pictures with your lense square to the tank... don't try to take pictures at an angle. I try to take my pics at ISO 100, f/2.8-f/4, shutter usually around 1/20... if that helps.

Jesse

 

[crsswift70]

That camera can be found new for $215... very tempting. Thanks for the info!

 

[xtm]

Here's some macro shots on my $149.95 Sony Cybershot W80

 

[crsswift70]

I would be happy with those. as it is now, all my pictures are fuzzy and blue.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Sounds like you need a tripod and proper white balance.

Tripods make the picture less fuzzy, even the most expensive cameras require them unless you can turn into a statue at will. The fuzz is called camera shake.

White balance makes all of the colors more blue or red, depending on the setting. It sounds like you need more red and less blue.

 

[crsswift70]

i will give that a shot. i think we have a tripod at work, i'll borrow it.

 

[megaspoot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13200467#post13200467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Sounds like you need a tripod and proper white balance.

Tripods make the picture less fuzzy, even the most expensive cameras require them unless you can turn into a statue at will. The fuzz is called camera shake.

White balance makes all of the colors more blue or red, depending on the setting. It sounds like you need more red and less blue.

Fuzz is also due to the motion of the subject you are trying to capture. Reducing this would need higher shutter speeds. With a camera that has no SS control, just add more lights, and the camera should automatically increase the SS.

 

[dendro982]

Pentax Optio 30, less than $100 refurbished. No tripod was used, held in hands, in most cases the flow is still on:

Capable making shots in low light, 18W 50-50 PC:

27W daylight CFL:

 

[crsswift70]

very nice... as with most things, i am sure that the operator (me) is the one making bad pictures and not the camera