macro photography

[loislane39]

I am looking for some recommendations for a camera that will be used for business purposes shooting small objects such as processor chips? The price range is $1000 and less. What is a good camera with macro capabilities?



Thanks for your help

[mtclimber]

I have three reccommendations for you:

1. The Low Cost Option: Get a used Nikon 4500 on E-Bay. It is a great macro camera, but it will just fullfill the macro role. As a general use camera it is outdated. Cost: around $200, if you can find one. Try looking on E-Bay.

2. The Medium Cost Option: Get the Canon S-2 IS camera. It has a great super macro mode that can focus right down till you haven't got enough room left to let in light. In this option, you get a 10X optical zoom camera for general use,as well as a great macro camera. Cost: around $350 to $375.

2. The High Cost Option: Get the Nikon D-50 body with the 60mm Nikkor Macro lens. This will give you a great combination, capable of both general photography as well as macro photos, provided you add an additional lens. Cost $900 to $1,000.

MT

[E.T]

mtclimber wrote:

Get the Canon S-2 IS camera. It has a great super macro...

You mean great distortion, corner softness and chromatic aberrations... that's what wide angle macros tend to produce:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/cano...supermacro.JPG

And even photographed area isn't such small because of wide angle when you move target farther.
(PCBs are kinda hard to light from backside)


KonicaMinolta A200 tele macro with KM's CL49-200 would give high quality shot from little over 30mm (1.2") wide area while retaining lens to target distance at 8cm (~3") meaning lightning is much much easier.


Here's what camera (actually KM A2 but lens is same) can take without any close ups, area is ~50mm (2") wide and only light came from window.
(click for bigger image)

Here's some tests with CL49-200 and ordinary close up lenses:
http://www.pbase.com/viljamix/close_ups&page=3


Now if target would be just few millimeters in size you'll need something more, like adding reversed 50mm SLR lens.
http://www.pbase.com/john_down_under/image/34083913

[mtclimber]

ET-

Well, that might take care of the Medium Cost Option. What are you suggesting for the other two options?

MT