Suggestions needed for good but cheap camera

Jeff

Jeff

Premium Member
I know that this has been asked here before but technology has changed and prices have come down. I need a suggestion for an inexpensive camera suitable for reef pictures including macros that can take true color pics. I am looking in the $200 range. I know my choices are limited and I should save up for a DSLR. I really want a small camera that is ultra portable, not a big clunky one. I own a Nikon Coolpix L6 and it absolutly sux for taking reef pix. I am convinced after 2 years that it isnt me, its the camera. I have tried various white balance settings, tripods, etc.
It is time for me to get a new camera and I am going cheapo on this one. I could use some suggestions please. Thanks in advance.





Here is a pic I took a few days ago. I re-set my white balance, used a tripod, cleaned the glass etc. I took 5-6 pictures and this is the best one. Now you can see why I am looking :).
DSCN0953.jpg
 
Anybody have a suggestion for a point and shoot camera that takes decent pics in the $200-$250 range?
 
I have been pretty impressed with my wife's Canon 870 IS. It is small and compact, easy to use, the IS actually works, sharp and accurate pictures. It does fairly well with macros, but for tank work you would have to be quite close for it to work. The 870 has since been discontinued but you can get them refurb for under $200, and you can look at the newer models of the same camera.

http://www.adorama.com/ICASD870SR.html?searchinfo=Canon 870 is&item_no=6

here is the dpreview of it:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd870is/

I haven't really looked for these new, but as far as P&S go it works well for us. IMO you can't go wrong with a lot of the Canon P&S (coming from a typical Nikon user).
 
not that you were asking for advice in tour technique, but if you were using a tripod and still have blurry photo then your tank is moving. Ok, not really but may I suggest, if your not already using a timer? It looks like camera shake due to slow shutter speed/low ISO and a shakey stand. With slower shutter speed you can get camera shake simply by depressing the shutter button. I would also use a higher ISO setting, if it can be adjusted to see if you can get the shutter speed no slower than 1/50th. Some point and shooters have a macro mode and it should be used if you are trying to take detailed shots. Clean glass is another must. GL!
 
I was in macro mode, using the timer, and a tripod. Its just not a good camera. I have had it over 2 years and have tried many times to get good pics but just cant.
 
All tripods are NOT created equal. Some guys spend thousands of dollars for a suitable tripod. With that much shake, I am under the impression your tripod may even be hurting you more than it is helping. 1/10 on a quality tripod with a timer should never look like that. Even the rocks are blurred out. Since we know they aren't moving no matter how much current is in the tank (unless you have a wave box pumping out surf 10 feet tall), the camera is moving. I think it's time to invest in a proper tripod.
 
Kinda hard to tell but it looks like you're shooting down at an angle to the tanks glass. Always shoot square to the glass or you'll end up with photos that look similar to what you just took. :)
 
Anybody have another suggestion? I really want to spend a small slice of my tax refund without going overboard...
 
Hi Jeff. This may not be what you want to hear, but I think your current camera could be ok, particularly because you say it takes decent pics except for macro tank shots. What I'm getting from your posts is that you would like a $200 fix to your bad tank photo issue. I'm thinking you can save your money.

Would you be willing to try to take a focused shot of your rocks? Trying for a shot of a stationary object from a fixed position should eliminate a lot of variables. Use your tripod, a 2 second timer (to avoid blurring the image from pushing the shutter release) and shoot absolutely straight through the glass, not at any angle (left right up down). This is very important and not shooting straight through the glass results in pics that look a lot like the one you posted.

If your image still isn't focused, there could be several reasons why. Auto focus often gets confused shooting through glass and will hunt and seek and frequently decides incorrectly on where the focus should be. Try manual focus if possible. Also, you may be either standing too close or zoomed in too far for where you are standing. Try backing up a foot or so and zooming out a bit and seeing if the camera can focus sharply then.

BTW, from what I can make out of your Zoanthids, they're very nice. I can see why you'd like a sharp picture of them.

Ken
 
Try taking macro shots of something else - car keys, coins, marbles or what-have-you and see if the quality is any good. If it's sharp, then you should be able to get good pictures of you corals from using it.

Also, make a note of the ideal working distance and weigh down your tripod for added stability (specially if the tripod is on carpet).

If you have to buy a new one, buy something that can shoot RAW. This is REALLY important as you will almost always have to readjust the WB after shooting corals in order to get the colors to come out right.

Lastly, shooting macro of moving subjects often requires a lot of light. So, add more light as needed - however it may be.

HTH
 
I would try and find a used older DSLR. The original Digital Rebel 300D is around $175. It still takes great pictures. Here is a shot from mine that I was very happy with:
IMG_3812.JPG


My recommendation is for you to save your money for good lenses, and buy a cheap body.
 
Other then the Canon G9/G10, what other non-dslr's have a raw mode?
BTW, I gave my daughter the old Coolpix so I am kind of commited now to getting a new camera.
 
My older Canon Powershot S70 does. I assume some of the newer Powershots do too. Not sure what might for around $200.
 
I did some reading and found that there is a hack to unlock RAW mode on Canon P&S cameras. It's basicly upgrading the firmware on the camera.
 
"My recommendation is for you to save your money for good lenses, and buy a cheap body."

You see that's just it. After he spends $175 on the camera he won't want to buy a $600 lens.
 
I don't know why it double posted? :( So I'll fill this space with a recommendation. Even though it is twice your budget weighing in @ $400, the Canon G10 gets my vote.
 
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