Need help buying new Camera..

Soldato
Joined
12 May 2005
Posts
8,384
I’ve just been reading the sticky posts on digital cameras etc, and it has actually just blown my mind. I’m now more confused then when I first started to read the thread.

Basically, cut a long story short, I would like to “up” my photography skills. I’m a pro model builder, and many times I fully document the scale models I build. Sadly, my existing digital camera isn’t anything special, an Olympus C Media 460 Zoom with XD memory cards.

I would like to take “pro” looking pictures of my models, and also looking to get into taking landscape pictures, wonderful pictures of my pets etc, so I feel I can get decent mileage out of making a good investment into a nice setup. I have, sadly no idea what I’m looking for.

One of the biggest issues I have when taking my pictures is out of focus when using macro modes. When using my existing camera on zoom with macro mode, my pictures are always out of focus. Like, I want to get in close, and show wonderful detail. I seem to get the background in focus, and the object I want in focus, is out of focus. I’d like to swap this around, and get the background out of focus, and the object in focus. I think it would look better if the object is in focus as this is what I want those viewing the picture to look at…

I’m willing to invest a few hundred, say £350 - £400. Would like to keep XD Cards, and I need a better tripod, as mine is shaking, and this isn’t helping. Also, what about lighting etc… As I said, I’m confused, and the more I look the more I get confused.

I read the sticky as mentioned, no ides what I’m doing, so would like to learn, and become a bit better at taking pictures. I’m sure you have all read the “what camera do I buy” threads a thousand times, but I do need some help… I’d go to a shop, but I’ll perhaps get ripped, and you lot look to be knowing all about cameras etc… Some nice pictures on here, I’d like to get to some sort of standard where I can be proud of my pictures, and not ashamed of them..

Many thanks for your help..
 
hi,

Thanks all... I'll get the stand, I'll order one now.. As I'm using stacked up books to rest my camera on at the moment, hence the wobble. My camera says Super Macro Mode - 7cm. 4.0 megapixels...

I mormally end up taking my pictures of models from fair away, using as much of the zoom as I dare, with the marco mode on... But it's not very good, and with the camera resting on books, it all looks a little blurry at times..

Anyone know how to get the best from the Olympus C-460 Zoom. I know its a cheap camera, I paid £189 and got an Espon Photo Printer, 2 64MB XD, 1 x 16MB xd and rechargable batteries thrown in for this... That was almost two years ago now... So, not an expensive setup really.. The printer in it's own is worth over £100..!!
 
Ah, found a really nice stand from Manfrotto as recommended.... Less then £30 for one that allows the camera to be mounted on a desk... Looks nice. I'll get that, just need to decide on the camera.. Buy a new one or put up with what I've got, which, even though I'm no pro, I just cannot get on with... My pictures are always blurry or out of focus, unless I use it without zooms or macros from about 10 feet away.... Great..

I really do not mind investing a few hundred if it resolves the frustration...
 
I went into a high street camera shop. I had a go with a Fuji fine pix 900, 5600 and 9500. I also tried a few Olympus cameras out, as I really want to continue using my xD cards.

The 900 was really small and light, 6.9mp and 4x optical zoom. The 5600 I didn't look at too much as it's nearly OOP, and I was worried it'd be hard to get a replacement if something was wrong with it.. The Olympus, I can't for the life of me remember the model, but it had a 10x optical zoom, and was easily better then the C460 I've got...

But. The 9500 was a big camera, but the manual 10x zoom was stunning.. I feel in love with the lens manual zoom... The options were way over what I understood, but the few pictures I took in the shop were hit and miss... I think the camera needs setting for the conditions, as outside it was stunning... Inside, with the right light it was equally as good, but in dark areas it was not so good, but ALL my pictures were in focus, as the camera nearly did all the work for me.. It was easy to use, and the macro up close was excellent I thought... I'm a novice, but the few pictures I took had me knowing my C460 is a pile of junk really..

I was able to get a deal for £352. + £14 for 6 x 2300Mh batteries and a full length stand for £20. For £400 I could have got a carry case (called a pizza..??) as well.. So that was the fully boxed UK 9500, with a 64MB xD for free, with 6 x rechargeable batteries with the charger, a stand and a carry case for £400. Is this a good deal?
 
I've not bought it yet, sorry my last post mislead. I've told the sales person I'll let him know tomorrow... I did like the camera though, and it does seem to be a "all in" package..
 
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