What camera do you use

[Scholzy]

I haven't done any photography for many years and have now decided to purchase a digital camera and would like to know is it necessary to buy a SLR or will any digital camera do the trick. Do you need to have a Macro setup to get close up shots.

I would greatly appreciate any info in this regard 

[NenadM]

I use camera on my cellphone. 5MP is enough - not to oversize MSW limits - but to get clear pictures.

 

For macro shots I add little cheep Chinese optical lenses in front of cell camera

 

 

Here are results I get with this technique

 

Wider look to rudder

 

Detail 

 

 

Don`t forget - macro shots are our enemy !!!! Mistakes you can not see by your own eyes, are very very visible on macro shots !!!!

Edited January 19, 2015 by Nenad M

[jwvolz]

It all depends upon what you plan to use it for. 

 

I have a nice Canon DSLR, but photography is one of my hobbies. I also have a moderately priced point and shoot for when I don't want to haul around the DSLR. I can and do use the macro feature on both. 

 

I find my iPhone more than sufficient for build log photos, but beyond that I don't use it for anything remotely important. It will generally get close enough for my simple documentation photos. 

[GuntherMT]

Pretty much what Joe said.  I use a Nikon D3300 DSLR, but for my first build I just used a Canon point and shoot and it worked quite well for build log photo's.  In addition I've seen some really spectacular build log photo's (see Dubz build logs!) taken with an iPhone - the tiny lenses on cell phones and tablets are surprisingly good at taking photo's very close.

[Q A's Revenge]

I use a Pentax DSLR but any digital camera will do. If you can justify the cost try and get something with a moderate size sensor as they yield better results in most cases. If I didn't have a Pentax I'd probably look at Fuji or Panasonic for a quality compact.

[Landlubber Mike]

I needed a good camera for indoor kid shots, but wanted a point and shoot.  The problem is the small cameras have a very small light sensor.  Some of the newer cameras (more expensive) put a much bigger light sensor in, which improves picture quality considerably.  I bought the Sony RX-100 a year or two ago, and it's been great.

[Keith_W]

This is what I use: 

 

- Canon 5D Mk.3 with these lenses: 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, 50mm f/1.2L, 85mm f/1.2L, 580EX flash (x2), tripod. 

- Olympus XZ-1 point and shoot

- Sony Xperia Z2 phone (for when I can't be bothered pulling out the big rig). 

 

The problem with the DSLR is that the depth of field is very shallow. Very good for taking portraits, but when aiming it at a ship, I have to stop it right down to gain DOF. The trouble is, when you stop it down, you start struggling with light. That's when the flash comes in. 

 

The phone and the P&S have much greater DOF, so more suitable for taking pictures of my model. Because of my problems with DOF with my current lens lineup, I am thinking of getting a wider lens. Maybe a 35mm f/1.4L  

[dgbot]

I use a Canon SX 120 and just take my time.

David B

[hornet]

I have a canon 50D and take my model ship pics with a canon EFS 17 - 85mm lens. It is a great camera and takes very good pics. My son recently bought a compact DSLR with interchangeable lenses. I think if I had my time over I would investigate this format further. These cameras have the ability - and therefore flexibility - to change lenses like the standard size DSLR but are much smaller and lighter to carry around. Because taking photos of model ships is not ( I assume) the only thing that you will use this camera for, they are worth considering. The only drawback with them - in my opinion - is they don't have a viewfinder (I'm old school and like to have one!) and they are quite expensive when compared to a 'fixed lens' compact camera.

[Jim Lad]

Scholzy, most current digital cameras will do the job just fine - you don't need to spend big bucks on a DSLR to take good photos.

 

Remember that 95% of the photo is down to the nut pressing the shutter button.

 

John

[marktiedens]

Got a Fuji A200 as a gift so that`s what I use.

 

 

/Mark

[Bob Blarney]

After years of owning Canon film cameras, I've found that my Samsumg cellphone camera can do about 85% of all photos that I might take.  It's always in my pocket if not in my hand, and since I use it all of the time, I don't forget how to use all of its features.  That works for me.

[Scholzy]

Thanks to all the people who have replied to my dilemma with encouragement and advise. You have given me many ideas so I'll continue with more research and hopefully pick up a little knowledge about photography along the way.

Once again thank you

[DocBlake]

I use my Apple I-pad (and an older model at that!).  This shot is straight from the I-pad.  No enhancements, macro lenses etc.

 

Dave

[robdurant]

I use a mix of an EOS 40D when I want really nice shots, and my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone camera... I was struggling with the picture quality, espcially in the evenings, for build logs, but then I put a daylight spectrum bulb in my anglepoise lamp, and just moved that around the get plenty of light on the subject, and that's really helped Also, if you really want nice shots, then using a tripod, or beanbag with a slow exposure can help get the picture away from the limits of what the camera sensor is happy with, and if you use a time-delay shot, then you won't get camera shake as you hit the shutter button.

 

I tend to avoid using a flash, because it is hard to get diffused light that won't burn out some bits and leave other bits dark, when the camera's so close to the subject... but that's just my tuppence.

 

This is on the galaxy s4 with daylight bulb anglepoise

 

 

And this is the Canon EOS 40D (with Speedlite 550EX flash bounced off a white wall and ceiling behind)

 

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[Canute]

Rob,

Nice crisp shots. And I second using a tripod.

[Modeler12]

Rob,

Nice crisp shots. And I second using a tripod.

I third using a tripod.

In my opinion the camera is really secondary (except an iphone or similar). Almost all decent digital cameras give you some options about aperture and all that stuff. But in the long run (after you know how to use the one you have) it is the nice, long exposures that usually give you the best results. Hence, a tripod.

[mikeaidanh]

iPhone 6 for me Dave. I can get in really tight with that. 

 

Apple rules!

 

Mike.