madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: stringsthings on April 11, 2016, 01:09:35 AM

Title: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: stringsthings on April 11, 2016, 01:09:35 AM
I think I need a camera so I can take pics of builds and such  :)

Any recommendations?  Are the $25 cheap ones any good or should I avoid?  I really just need a basic camera.  Something to take pics of things and upload to the net.  It won't get much use if any outside of the home.
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: davent on April 11, 2016, 01:34:35 AM
You may already have all you need. How's your phone? I never plan to get a cell but i did get an ipod at Christmas just for the camera/app capabilities. Two thousand pictures later i'm totally sold on this toy phone-camera, i'm having a blast with this thing, couldn't be more pleased.

Today...

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/FullSizeRender_zpsmofq02mg.jpg)

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/FullSizeRender1_zpsrfv8hjlg.jpg)

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/FullSizeRender4_zpsrxpiyxdh.jpg)

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/FullSizeRender6_zpsmtmh7okh.jpg)

Older

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/AHIC8742_zpscrjn8ai6.jpg)

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_1575_zpsiaadebpk.jpg)

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_1147_zpscm7lvwch.jpg)

dave
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: tone seeker on April 12, 2016, 02:12:38 PM
 Cannon Powershot camera's have been good for me. Very user friendly, and versitle. But cellphone camera's have greatly improved!
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: matmosphere on April 12, 2016, 03:09:48 PM
I'm with Davent, if you have a cellphone with a camera that is 5 megapixel or above then it should be just fine. If you don't have a camera phone then take a look at Canon, Fuji, or Sony (and to a lesser degree nikon and olympus) you should be able to find something in the 80-100$ range if you don't need anything to fancy.

As far as those $25 cheap digital cameras I would say don't waste your money, they aren't worth it. The images are usually so poor quality that they just aren't going to be worth posting online. 
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: Jebus on April 12, 2016, 03:21:26 PM
Not a camera recommendation, but something to consider. If you are going to take pictures of pedals and such stuff a tripod is a really big improvement. That way you don't have to use flash and you get much sharper images. With small digital camera I would recommend one of those cheap GorillaPod -knock offs. :)
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: dbp512 on April 12, 2016, 04:20:27 PM
I completely agree with getting a tripod. The gorillapod is nice, but I never liked its ball and socket leg design since it sags with heavier cameras (which bothers me since I often use old, heavy lenses). I recently picked up a pedro ultra pod, and its fantastic. Much better design (imho) for about the same price as a decent gorillapod. 
 
As for cameras, I can't help much because the newest camera I have is from 2010. Since its just for photos pretty much anything will do, even the little point and shoots with built in lenses are capable of taking great pictures. 5 megapixels is enough to make a decent size print, and plenty to upload online. More megapixels is essential only if you're cropping the image significantly afterwards and still trying to make large prints. If you don't need to shoot videos than you can pick whatever you want. Perhaps an optical viewfinder to see in bright sunlight, or a large zoom length cause they're nice. Nikon and Canon are the two ubiquitous names, but I personally shoot Sony. Pentax, Samsung, and others all have very nice models as well. No company has any huge advantage over any other, so don't buy into the tons of hype.
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: davent on April 12, 2016, 09:27:58 PM
I've got one of those Gorilla tripods but have also picked up these two to use with the ipod, more for nighttime outdoor shooting. Haven't used them inside except for the times i've played with slow shutter effects.

http://www.mec.ca/product/4001-622/pedco-ultrapod-ii-large-tripod/?f=10+50336

http://www.mec.ca/product/5035-379/joby-griptight-micro-stand/?h=10+50023+51334+50336&f=10+50336

First thing i did with this camera, any camera was make sure the flash was OFF. Never, never use, useless and pointless.

dave
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: flanagan0718 on April 12, 2016, 10:25:30 PM
I use my Iphone 4s for most pictures. I also sometimes use an Olympus Stylus Tough for videos and pictures...like this one

(http://www.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/olympus-StylusTough-6020_side.jpg)

I like it because it reminds me of a snare drum  ;)

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/6d/84/57/6d84571a1148cf251442406d0e191569.jpg)
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: Jebus on April 13, 2016, 10:38:04 PM
Quote from: davent on April 12, 2016, 09:27:58 PM
First thing i did with this camera, any camera was make sure the flash was OFF. Never, never use, useless and pointless.

Yeah, the built-in flashes are usually awful. If you can manually adjust the amount of flash then those can be useful sometimes. :P
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: alanp on April 14, 2016, 04:31:32 AM
My camera absolutely needs the flash... either that, or a tripod, or blinding summer midday light.
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: mcasemo on April 15, 2016, 05:12:43 AM
i bought adobe lightroom and find myself using my iphone more for pics (more so of my kids rather than pedals) rather than the DSLR.  Free software probably can do most of the adjustments, but the Lightroom interface and controls seemed to make me do better post processing them.  Just a thought if you skip buying the camera.

Another thought is to instead spend some money getting more light for your pics.  maybe those umbrella light diffuser things. 

It's all about the light, but i still lazily take pedal photos at midnight under my LED lamp, half drunk.
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: davent on April 15, 2016, 03:44:07 PM
For lighting i usually turn off the  room lights and use a desk lamp with it's 23w cfl bulb. Often times sticking into the picture.

ipod handheld, 1/30s exposure, Pro Camera & snapseed apps and a clip/slip on lens

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_1543_zpszvlslk55.jpg)

dave


Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: jball85 on April 15, 2016, 10:39:40 PM
Canon PowerShot ELPH series. Look to spend $75-100, it's worth it, otherwise I would just stick to a smart phone camera.

E. Tejas Dung Beetle, the size of a penny, using my Canon PowerShot.
Title: Re: Inexpensive digital camera recommendations
Post by: selfdestroyer on April 16, 2016, 06:33:22 AM
Quote from: jball85 on April 15, 2016, 10:39:40 PM
Canon PowerShot ELPH series. Look to spend $75-100, it's worth it, otherwise I would just stick to a smart phone camera.

E. Tejas Dung Beetle, the size of a penny, using my Canon PowerShot.

Nice DOF on that shot. Very cool.

Cody