Steve'sDigicams

earthdog_mike · Mar 1, 2006, 4:23 PM

I need a camera that will allow me to take macro pictures and not cost me an arm and a leg. I am doing research work on an endangered beetle and need a camera that will give me GOOD photos. I do not want to get into an SLR Digital camera with lenses because of the cost (us biologists do not make much money), can someone help?

Homer J. · Mar 1, 2006, 10:48 PM

The A610 has a 1 cm macro at wide angle.

vwmom · Mar 1, 2006, 11:49 PM

The Canon S2 also has 0cm macro.. I've seen some incredible shots of bugs from it.

airedaleman · Mar 2, 2006, 9:10 AM

vwmom wrote:

Quote:

The Canon S2 also has 0cm macro.. I've seen some incredible shots of bugs from it.

I agree 100%

Nizidramanii · Mar 2, 2006, 10:42 AM

Panasonic FZ-20 with a close-up lense. Look in the Panasonic forum for some excellent macro shots.

slipe · Mar 2, 2006, 10:57 AM

One nice thing about both of the Canons mentioned is that they will capture a relatively small area zoomed. Many cameras require you to be in wide angle to fill a frame with anything much smaller than a magazine cover. Being able to zoom out and still capture an area smaller than 3 X 4 inches gives a couple of advantages. You are able to get some light on the subject without the lens an inch away and you get a lot less barrel distortion – which is extreme focusing very close.

Of course the S2 lets you get further from the target and still capture a small area, but the A610 gives a comfortable distance. The A610 seems closer to your budget.

Both also have flip-out LCDs. The LCDs aren't as large or as high a resolution as some other cameras, but the fully articulated feature is more versatile if you shoot in the field.

vwmom · Mar 2, 2006, 11:15 AM

Another thing I've found to like is the manual flash on the S2.. If you dont want it.. Dont open it.

earthdog_mike · Mar 2, 2006, 11:22 AM

Thanks for the information. Do you know anything about the S3 compared to the S2? I know the S3 has a higher pixel level, but can not find anything about its macro.

vwmom · Mar 2, 2006, 11:32 AM

Pretty much everything else is the same for camera specs.. there are a few other 'toys' on it.. but macro is the same.. It looks as though it will be early June before the S3 is readily available (do you really want to wait over 3 months?).. it will also be higher in price. Now till then will be a good time to get the S2 cheaper. Plus the S2 has been tried and discussed for the past year.. Everyone is aware of any problems with it.. The S3 is unknown still.

earthdog_mike · Mar 2, 2006, 11:35 AM

Thnaks for the input. If you had to pick between the S2 or the A610 for insect photos which would you pick? The price is not too different and my budget should be able to afford the S2. By the way, do you know anything about the S3?

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Mar 1, 2006, 4:23 PM	#1
earthdog_mike Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6	I need a camera that will allow me to take macro pictures and not cost me an arm and a leg. I am doing research work on an endangered beetle and need a camera that will give me GOOD photos. I do not want to get into an SLR Digital camera with lenses because of the cost (us biologists do not make much money), can someone help?

Mar 1, 2006, 10:48 PM	#2
Homer J. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 101	The A610 has a 1 cm macro at wide angle.

Mar 1, 2006, 11:49 PM	#3
vwmom Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 589	The Canon S2 also has 0cm macro.. I've seen some incredible shots of bugs from it.

Mar 2, 2006, 10:42 AM	#5
Nizidramanii Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 407	Panasonic FZ-20 with a close-up lense. Look in the Panasonic forum for some excellent macro shots.

Mar 2, 2006, 10:57 AM	#6
slipe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Indian Rocks Beach, FL Posts: 4,036	One nice thing about both of the Canons mentioned is that they will capture a relatively small area zoomed. Many cameras require you to be in wide angle to fill a frame with anything much smaller than a magazine cover. Being able to zoom out and still capture an area smaller than 3 X 4 inches gives a couple of advantages. You are able to get some light on the subject without the lens an inch away and you get a lot less barrel distortion – which is extreme focusing very close. Of course the S2 lets you get further from the target and still capture a small area, but the A610 gives a comfortable distance. The A610 seems closer to your budget. Both also have flip-out LCDs. The LCDs aren't as large or as high a resolution as some other cameras, but the fully articulated feature is more versatile if you shoot in the field.

Mar 2, 2006, 11:15 AM	#7
vwmom Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 589	Another thing I've found to like is the manual flash on the S2.. If you dont want it.. Dont open it.

Mar 2, 2006, 11:22 AM	#8
earthdog_mike Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6	Thanks for the information. Do you know anything about the S3 compared to the S2? I know the S3 has a higher pixel level, but can not find anything about its macro.

Mar 2, 2006, 11:32 AM	#9
vwmom Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 589	Pretty much everything else is the same for camera specs.. there are a few other 'toys' on it.. but macro is the same.. It looks as though it will be early June before the S3 is readily available (do you really want to wait over 3 months?).. it will also be higher in price. Now till then will be a good time to get the S2 cheaper. Plus the S2 has been tried and discussed for the past year.. Everyone is aware of any problems with it.. The S3 is unknown still.

Mar 2, 2006, 11:35 AM	#10
earthdog_mike Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6	Thnaks for the input. If you had to pick between the S2 or the A610 for insect photos which would you pick? The price is not too different and my budget should be able to afford the S2. By the way, do you know anything about the S3?