.jpg){kind=logo}
Printable View
I've had it with my camera. I've tried every combination of settings (what it has anyway) natural sunlight, reveal bulbs. I've come to theconclusion it's a steaming pile of dung. I'm looking for a used camera in the $200-$300 range that takes nice accurate pics of redlines.<br>
Lubber, what kind of camera are you using now, and what exactly is the problem? Just the exposure (they're too light or dark)? Or is there a focus problemas well (i.e. they come out fuzzy)? I'd like to see a typical pic. Because you can almost always get decent closeup pics unless the camera is more than,like, 10 years old...
This was taken outside with the camera back so the car is in the focus marks at the highest res setting. The color looks ok but it just doesn't look verysharp or crisp. The camera is a sony cybershot 7.2mp. ISO set to 100 white balance 1.7<br><br><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/rstoecker/RLOL3/DSC04099.jpg" alt="image"><br>
<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image">I can end your problem right now withone word.....Canon!<br><br> I find Sony cams, like Sony TVs have that sort of picture. I've got a Canon PowerShot A530 5megapixel, which I shopped around for before making a decisionabout 3 yrs ago. It cost me $162CDN which about $140US. I see the same cam but with 8megapixels is even cheaper now at about $159CDN. Mine has so many settingsit makes your head spin, and even has a movie setting. It takes incredible pics, especially for the money.<br><br>Here's a variety of types of shots. Notice it even captures the true colour of an 'aqua' redline bug. That's tough to get.<br><br><p>Andy<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_0567.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_0585.jpg" alt="image"><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_1645.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_0765.jpg" alt="image"><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_1156.jpg" alt="image"><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_1140.jpg" alt="image"><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_1419-1.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_0118.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_1670.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_0714-1.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_2002.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_0249.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_1583-1.jpg" alt="image"><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z89/BlueWagoon/IMG_2877.jpg" alt="image"><br><br></p>
Andy those pics look nice. I looked on ebay and those cameras are around $60, not too bad. If I get one I'll hit you up for settings :)
I'll second the Canon recommendation. Not only that, their warrantee is hands-down the best there is. My four year old Canon had the receptor go bad on it,and even though it was long out of warrantee, they deemed it to be a manufacturing defect and still replaced it free of charge .... plus paid the shipping BOTHways !!!<br><br>Here's a few shots with my 3.2 mega pixel A75 (newer ones are even better !) ....<br><br><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/6a935b13af5ce1de57e285520cf4205a53eb6d2.pjpg" alt="image"><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/0192555a40e985f68b302bb9ca86f14b2eba36f.pjpg" alt="image"><br><p><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/c0335340a533e5e45e2885090e885e05c7020ea.pjpg" alt="image"><br><br>Mark.<br></p><br><p><br></p>
<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image">Hey Mark,...I like your Heavy Chevywith the 'ghost stripes'! Very cool! Did you do that one?<br><p><img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image">One rule of thumb when buying acam,...buy one from a company whose only business is cams!<br><br>Andy<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image"><br></p>
One more hint to snappy good pics...<br><br>TRIPOD!<br><br>You got to get one...20.00 only and it will ease a lot of worry and help you tremendously.<br>
I have a Nikon S4 that I love. It also has a ton of settings and takes nice pics of redlines. On any board that this subject has come up, the concensus seemsto always be Canon and Nikon. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. I got mine from Calumet Photo. Very nice people and very knowledgeable. Theyhave their own website and are on eBay as well.
<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title">lanlubber wrote:</strong> <hr> Andy those pics look nice. I looked on ebay and those cameras are around $60, not too bad. If I get one I'll hit you up for settings :)</blockquote><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image">Maybe one of the guys can elaboratefurther on this, but I understand that a lot of cams on eBay can be rebuilt or remanufactured or something like that, so be carefull what you buy. You want tobuy a brand new cam with a full warranty. And ya, what Jeff says, get a tripod! I was in a dollar store looking for HWs recently and happened acrossone.....for $1! Just a cheap piece of crap only 1ft tall, but it works good for table shots of your cars.<br><p><br>Andy<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image"><br></p>
Tripod is a great start and lighting also is important, having optical zoom more is better!!..<br><br><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/b1f35b09ba834e515efb7a555c7687f755756fc.pjpg" alt="image"><p><br><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/3da153b146517e585a421f0c0d9fa8ea951bd9a.pjpg" alt="image"><br><br><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/4c025e3b364a15fd7c15ee14b86e5a33d331e81.pjpg" alt="image"><br><br><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/5f915dbb4c50775f18e657272c50d971780ac48.pjpg" alt="image"><br><br><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/e7035b3fbdc243275eac75fb570a8d985763927.pjpg" alt="image"><br><br><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/826153bd405d74596c16debd89feeb51093cb3a.pjpg" alt="image"><br><br></p>
<blockquote> I'll second the Canon recommendation. Not only that, their warrantee is hands-down the best there is. My four year old Canon had the receptor go bad on it, and even though it was long out of warrantee, they deemed it to be a manufacturing defect and still replaced it free of charge .... plus paid the shipping BOTH ways !!! <br></blockquote>And they did the same for me and my Canon was even way more past any warrante and paid for shipping round trip!!<br>
When ya wanna move UP, the word is Nikon!!<br><br><img src="http://www.siue.edu/~dbrown/forsaledec/yelheap2.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://www.siue.edu/~dbrown/forsaledec/whipgrp.jpg" alt="image">
<p>Can we see what the original size image looks like? It looks like the image you posted was shrunk and compressed way too much. </p><p>Not trying to convince you NOT to get a new camera, but if the problem is in your post processing, your images are still going to look fuzzy and pixelated. Almost all digital cameras have image quality settings for how they get saved. </p><p>I set my Nikon to FINE, other cameras might use different terms, like BEST, etc..</p><p>Get yourself a piece of white poster board at your local drugstore and use it as a background for your pictures (even outside).<br><br>NIKON Coolpix 7900 (7MP)<br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Flora%20N%20Fauna/BlackWidow2.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Flora%20N%20Fauna/October05Mantisonsidedeck.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Flora%20N%20Fauna/June07HibiscisOrange.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Good%20Guys%2008-06/DSCN3680.jpg" width="1010" height="758" alt="image"><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Good%20Guys%2008-06/DSCN3627.jpg" alt="image"><br><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Redlines/JetThreatBlue73ShellPromo2.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Redlines/CustomEldoradossmcrsw.jpg" alt="image"><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/oguzman/Redlines/ColorofMyTBird1.jpg" alt="image"></p>
Dude it doesnt matter what camera you buy as everyone has their favorite and most of the cameras out there are good, just dont buy cheap and be very carefulabout ebay. You want 1 that takes macro pics (not micro),also dont worry about digital zoom. Digicams ( cameras where the lens doesnt come off) are great forclose ups but I wouldnnt use zoom on close ups, because they allow you to get to within inches of your subject and still focus. Find 1 that gives you someoptions other than just taking pics of redlines as you will peobably will be using it for otherthings.I like to take nature and sports shots so I loike a longlens, not just a big zoom but that helps too. I actually use a DSLR with a 50 mm macro lens, Also use good lighting and make sure you get 1 with severallighting settings,ie sunny, cloudy,tungsten,and so on so you can set the lighting for what your using.
I have been using a tripod. For the whole car to fit in the focus frame I have to keep the camera about 18" away and then I use Nero to crop and pull thecar forward.<br><br>Original before cropping.<br><br><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/rstoecker/RLOL3/DSC04099-1.jpg" alt="image"><br>
Ron,<br><br>My battles are usually 50/50 w/ lighting & just how the lens takes in what's there.<br>"Wow, diggs all the more to that Toy".<br>Now what can I sell you to help offset the cost to rid myself of my pos camera, lol .<br><br>John<br><br>p.s. Dave(charger68), the word is "Posterchild", thee "W-Creamer" snapp is bombb !!!<br>
Does your camera have a macro setting?<br>If you car must be that distance away, it doesn't seem like the macro setting works.<br>
Jeff I'm using the macro setting, maybe I shouldn't since like you said I need to be that far to get the car in my field of focus.<br><br>John I hear ya I battle with both myself, wish it was easier.
<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image">Here's a technique you could try.On either auto or portrait setting, hold the cam back from the subject 2 to 3 feet then zoom in. Try it with macro on or off and check the result. I find thatthe portrait setting gives a brighter pic.<br><p>Andy<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image"><br></p>
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>