sniperhavens Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I have a Kodak 14 megapixel camera that I just bought but it cant take a good picture of my Army for the life of it. I have tried it on Macro setting, Infinite setting and standard and still get fuzzy unfocused pics. I have looked up different background and lighting settings and tried a few to no avail. Does anyone know of a good inexspensive camera that takes quality pictures of our tiny hobby? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
T14 Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 If you reduce shakiness when taking the foto (tripod and time-delayed shooting for a no-hands approach) and make sure autofocus is enabled (and have a uniform background, to make sure the model is the target of said autofocus), then any camera with decent optics will serve you well in my experience. Megapixels wont really matter for web-friendly photography. I've shot quality space marine closeups with less than two megapixels back in 2nd ed. times. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2766541 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurth Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Indeed, a steady camera and good lighting are the main concerns, I think. Much cheaper to buy a tripod than a new camera, too :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2766680 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorns Padawan Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 How many megapixels a camera has it not the issue mate, its the type of lens you use & as mentioned above, lighting & background plays a huge part. A tri pod is a good & non to expensive investment. Try using a white back ground so the camera will focus on the models & also try not to get too close when you take the pictures. I don't have a direct link but if you look up Brother Argos Iron Hands thread, he has a very good photo set up & tells you how he has achieved it. Hope that is of some use to you? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2766733 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniperhavens Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 I appreciate the help guys, Im gonna give the tripod a shot. You all may have just saved me alot of money. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2766932 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgan the Lurker Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Lighting. You can build or buy a light box relatively cheaply. Proper background -- like the one you can download and print off here at the B&C: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...mp;showfile=367 Tripod. Time delay or trigger. Macro function is an absolute must but that doesn't mean put the camera right in the minis face either. You should still keep the camera a good distance from the mini for the macro function to be able to focus properly. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2766943 Share on other sites More sharing options...
verpine Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Some odd quoting you've got going on there, Kurgan. But to OP, try making a lightbox, and printing out a gradient background to put behind the mini. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2767212 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedrake Cordova Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Firstly, I'd say take out your manual and look up the minimum focussing distance, just to make sure you've not placed the model closer than the camera can focus. This is typically the distance from the focus plane (i.e. the sensor - just consider it to be the back of your camera), although sometimes it may be quoted from the front element of the lens. As has been suggested, a tripod will help you. You could look at something like a GorillaPod (example 1, example 2), or one of the cheaper Manfrotto tripods (example 1, example 2). Also, as Kurgan suggested, lighting is kinda important - generally, you want as much good-quality light hitting your subject as possible. David Hobby's website ("The Strobist") has an article on making a macro light-box very little money (link), which should help you quality-wise. As he's said, although it's best using "real" flashes (as they dump far more light out), you can use angle-poise lamps, etc, as long as you remember most bulbs aren't white, and will need the white-balance setting adjusting manually (to tungsten, fluorescent, etc). Hope that helps! :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2767736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
chromedog Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I've used a kodak 4mp camera to take miniature photos and they come out fine. It's not the mp that matter here. ^ What he said. Read the manual. It will tell you the minimum focal distance for macro. DO NOT go closer than this. Use something to stabilise the camera - tripod, beanbag, stack of books, whatever - the key is to get it out of your hands. 90% of camera shake is from the people holding it. If self-timer works WITH macro, then USE IT. It's another way to eliminate shake. Then practice a lot. Proper preparation prevents pi-inadequate- performance. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2768511 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedrake Cordova Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Use something to stabilise the camera - tripod, beanbag, stack of books, whatever Ooh, forgot about beanbags ... a zip-lock bag filled with rice or dried lentils works well for this, if you don't have one, and it's rather inexpensive. If self-timer works WITH macro, then USE IT. It's another way to eliminate shake. Yup, forgot about that one too - prodding the shutter button creates a small amount of shake, so a 5-10s self-timer will be useful. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/230295-good-cameras-for-mini-photography/#findComment-2768797 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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