Digital Camera?

davidkachel · 04-09-2007, 08:59 PM

OK, I think I'm gonna break down and buy a cheap digital camera to take photos of guns.
I need recommendations from you guys as to what has been working for you.
The key word here is "cheap".
This is particularly weird as I am more than slightly well known as a photographer, but when it comes to DIGITAL photography, your cat knows more than I do.

stefanosg · 04-09-2007, 09:22 PM

A decent cheap digital camera will run you about 99-140 dollars. I have a friend who got a nice Kodak about a year back for less the $150.00. He is very happy with it and it takes great pics. I have a Sony thats about 3 years old. I am happy with it also, but its hard to get a cheap Sony. I think if you get anything too cheap you will be disappointed with the quality of the pictures.

Edward Tinker · 04-09-2007, 09:41 PM

$250 is about the cut off for a reasonably nice camera. Anything less and I bet you regret it.

If you use lots of light, a cheaper camera is okay, less light and a nicer camera is easier to use.

Ed

lugerholsterrepair · 04-09-2007, 09:42 PM

David, Be sure you check out the macro capability of any camera you look at. Jerry Burney

shadow · 04-10-2007, 12:43 AM

Spend the money and get a decent one. If you are already a shutterbug you may really like the digital camera.

Hugh · 04-10-2007, 12:59 AM

Nikon Coolpix 7600. Takes great macros. Lots of gadgets and very small. I love it. Got it at Wallmart on sale for $187 last year.

HerbZ · 04-10-2007, 07:58 AM

Stick with a brand you know and respect for their film cameras. And be sure it's one that in addition to having some kind of closeup or macro setting, has a fast lens (like at least f2.8) and can produce good results with higher ISO (use to be called ASA) settings. Flash photography just doesn't work well with the metal surfaces of a firearm.

It's my understanding that all the well known camera brands have made both good models and a few real clunkers. Here's the URL of a website that does very thorough reviews of digital cameras in most price ranges by most well know brands.

http://www.dpreview.com/

Steinar · 04-10-2007, 08:11 AM

Dito on the Nikon Coolpix..

I use the P5000 model and is very happy with it. For those interested in photography, it have lot's of functions to play around with, quite simular to those found on more expensive SLR cameras (like mounting an external flash++). I use it as a more portable alternative for my Canon 400d ('Rebel XTi' in the US).

When it's not hunting season, I sometimes replace the shotgun/rifle with a camera. Can be a nice hobby

..btw, it's off topic, but does anyone know the cycle time of the Luger toggle?
I'm thinking of capturing it with a 1/4000sec shutter time. The camera takes 3 pictures within one second for about 10 seconds or so.. Then I could calculate how realistic it would be to capture it, and not just wasting time trying to.

04-09-2007, 08:59 PM	#1
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Digital Camera? OK, I think I'm gonna break down and buy a cheap digital camera to take photos of guns. I need recommendations from you guys as to what has been working for you. The key word here is "cheap". This is particularly weird as I am more than slightly well known as a photographer, but when it comes to DIGITAL photography, your cat knows more than I do. __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

04-09-2007, 09:22 PM	#2
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	A decent cheap digital camera will run you about 99-140 dollars. I have a friend who got a nice Kodak about a year back for less the $150.00. He is very happy with it and it takes great pics. I have a Sony thats about 3 years old. I am happy with it also, but its hard to get a cheap Sony. I think if you get anything too cheap you will be disappointed with the quality of the pictures. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

04-09-2007, 09:41 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,033 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	$250 is about the cut off for a reasonably nice camera. Anything less and I bet you regret it. If you use lots of light, a cheaper camera is okay, less light and a nicer camera is easier to use. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

04-09-2007, 09:42 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	David, Be sure you check out the macro capability of any camera you look at. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

04-10-2007, 12:43 AM	#5
shadow User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down The Shore Posts: 245 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Spend the money and get a decent one. If you are already a shutterbug you may really like the digital camera. __________________ The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. George Washington

04-10-2007, 12:59 AM	#6
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Nikon Coolpix 7600. Takes great macros. Lots of gadgets and very small. I love it. Got it at Wallmart on sale for $187 last year. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

04-10-2007, 07:58 AM	#7
HerbZ User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 128 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Stick with a brand you know and respect for their film cameras. And be sure it's one that in addition to having some kind of closeup or macro setting, has a fast lens (like at least f2.8) and can produce good results with higher ISO (use to be called ASA) settings. Flash photography just doesn't work well with the metal surfaces of a firearm. It's my understanding that all the well known camera brands have made both good models and a few real clunkers. Here's the URL of a website that does very thorough reviews of digital cameras in most price ranges by most well know brands. http://www.dpreview.com/ __________________ "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain

04-10-2007, 08:11 AM	#8
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Dito on the Nikon Coolpix.. I use the P5000 model and is very happy with it. For those interested in photography, it have lot's of functions to play around with, quite simular to those found on more expensive SLR cameras (like mounting an external flash++). I use it as a more portable alternative for my Canon 400d ('Rebel XTi' in the US). When it's not hunting season, I sometimes replace the shotgun/rifle with a camera. Can be a nice hobby ..btw, it's off topic, but does anyone know the cycle time of the Luger toggle? I'm thinking of capturing it with a 1/4000sec shutter time. The camera takes 3 pictures within one second for about 10 seconds or so.. Then I could calculate how realistic it would be to capture it, and not just wasting time trying to. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane