Camera Suggestions?

Have you tried to set your camera on "automatic" exposure and use the macro setting(flower on the knob)?<br>

<p>Something else to consider when taking pictures is distortion.</p><p>A lot of cameras come with a lense that is an all-around good lense for taking most all pictures. However, when using that generic lense for extremeclose-ups in macro mode, you are exploiting the extreme and the cut of the lense becomes apparent in a distorted image.</p><p>As an example - Here's a shot in macro mode with the camera positioned so the car fills the screen ....</p><p><img height="480" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/markroach/NoZoom.jpg" width="640" alt="image"><br><br>Here's the same car with the shot taken at full OPTICAL zoom (never use digital zoom) and the camera pulled back to where the car still fills the screen....<br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/markroach/Opticalzoom.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>Notice there's a lot less distortion to the car when the camera is positioned further back.<br><br><br>Mark.</p>

If you're shooting that far away you should NOT be using macro, you should just be on full AUTO. I take my closeups with the macro setting on my camera(the flower icon as Jeff mentioned). I don't shoot any further than about 6 to 8 inches away from the car and sometimes much closer. Macro is generallyonly for close ups unless you're getting artsy. I also never use zoom when in macro, you shouldn't need it.<br><br>You should be able to get within inches and as mentioned already the angle you take will make all the difference in distortion and depth of field.<br><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Hot%20Rods/40Fordrlrr3.jpg" alt="image"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Hot%20Rods/40Fordrlrr2.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>

I kinda' suspected that either a) you weren't using the macro setting; or b) you were using macro but too far away from the car. Macro is only good forabout a foot-and-a-half or less. So you just need to get a lot closer to the car. I know that always presents problems of the car being in your shadow, but youjust have to move things 'round a bit. Also, the more light the better (natural sunlight always best) and try to arrange it so that the light's comingfrom just over your left shoulder. And if you're using artificial lighting, get it so it's practically on top of the car. I think you should be able toget pic's that are just as good as any anyone has posted here, with no need to spend a lot of money on a camera.<br><br>Oh, but if you do decide to get a new camera anyway, yes, either Canon or Nikon are good. In my experience, Nikon in particular has excellent macro qualities,but Canons are unbeatable for other reasons mentioned.

<blockquote> I also never use zoom when in macro, you shouldn't need it.</blockquote><br><br>exactly...<br>

...and in some cameras zooming in beyond a point will take it out of marco mode...

Below is my lighting set up ( and I dont recommend this as it is very hot ) and I have 2 500 watt lights and use a 50mm macro lens.I try to use the correctexposure but it still take a bit of time to get them just right. If you have macro then get as close as you can and get your fstop to at least f8-10 and youneed your shutter speed to be at least as fast as your lens size ( I get a shutter speed of more than 50 since I have a 50mm lens) so you get alot less blurand so you get the whole car in focus,if that is what you want.<br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/Striderxl/Workspace1.jpg" alt="image"><p><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/Striderxl/RedLines/MightyMaverickYellow1.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/Striderxl/RedLines/MaseratiMinstrelCopper1.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>Here are some close ups I took to ask about the different wheels -<br><br><img height="487" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/Striderxl/RedLines/ShelbyWheels1.jpg" width="720" alt="image"><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/Striderxl/RedLines/ShelbyWheels2.jpg" alt="image"><br></p>

Picked up a used Canon, what do you think? I'm still playing with settings but so far I'm happy with it over the Sony.<br><br><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/rstoecker/RLOL3/IMG_0794.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>

<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title">groggerbug wrote:</strong> <hr> ...will take it out of marco mode...</blockquote>Is that the setting necessary for taking odometer pics?<br><br>