Canon G12

[livernash]

Heellooo,

I am an art student looking to photograph my cermaic (3d) work. My work is figurative and the smaller work is like action figure size with lots of detail and has a glossy finish. I do not want to drop thousands on photo equipment and was wondering if this camera would be good to take quality pictures for my portfolio. After extensive research this camera looks like the winner for the type of photography I am doing. I searched for the g12 on this site and found no results.

Any opinions, critiques on this camera? Anyone own this camera that could tell me more about it?

Thanks for your time,

Mike

[OsmosisStudios]

What kind of lighting would you be using? When it comes to products (like your ceramics), it isnt so much the camera that's important but how your subject is lit.

["Matthew"]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

it isnt so much the camera that's important but how your subject is lit.

+1

You sound like your doing the right thing. First the camera. You did not specify you budget, but beside a DSLR and a micro lens the G12 is your best bet - bigger sensor, rather nice glass, full manual, and IMHO the most important thing - a hot shoe.

On to lighting. For this type of thing to start out I would suggest cheap 3rd party speedlites ($40-60 a piece) and a set of coyboy studio umbrellas or softboxes. (I think $80 a set) you will also need triggers. Cowboy studio makes them too, I don't think at this point you will want to spend the money on pocket wizards.

Last thing, I do not own a G12, but I have had great experiences with the G line. I had a G3 and the photos I took with it rival my curent simi-pro DSLR.

Sry for the long post, hope it helps.

[livernash]

Thanks for the quick reply guys!

Cool I am glad to hear that I made the right choice as far as camera goes because I already bought it so....

For the smaller action figure dudes I have a light tent or box or whatever that you put the objects into and light with cheap shop lights in a room that has a ton of natural light so i can keep the iso on the camera lower. The thing I have been having problems with is noise in the photos. The big guys I do I was just going to shoot them with the shop lights and the natural light of the room.

But you guys think i need those little satelite lights and boxes over them?

Thanks Osmosis and Matthew!

Mike

["Matthew"]

NP.

First could you post some samples of said noise? However you ISO should be at 100 for this. The camerea should be on a tripod, and you should be using a small aperture. (Large F/# ) A light tent would be a good idea. You said that you are using natural light. Can you post a shot of the room? Usually mixing natural light and light from shop lights is not a good idea. (The color temp will be off)

Yes, Some cheap speedlites, some softboxes (Google) or a light tent would be a good idea. AND a dark room.

[livernash]

I do not have any examples of the noisy picture except on my facebook (search michael livernash if you are really interested in seing the pics), the original files were lost.

I have been looking at the speedlite approach but at BandH those suckers with the transmitter are getting pretty expensive. I was looking at the Speedlite 430EX (which I would need two or three of right?) along with the ST - E2 transmitter which would cost over a thousand bucks for three lights and the transmitter. Where can I find a cheaper set?
The room I am planning on shooting in can get really dark at night, I will post some photos tomorrow of the room.


Thanks again for any help, you guys are great.
Mike

[APhotoSchool]

Hey livernash,

I think the G12 is really good, as good as point and shoot gets. You can shoot RAW files and it has a hot shoe. Although if you are not interested in really getting in to photography and just want to shoot your art, go with the G12. It will be easier for you to figure it out and you can get a set of umbrellas, lighstands and constant lights for about $100-$150 bucks. That way you won't have to deal with complicated setups, speedlights and you get what you see when it comes to lighting.

That's just my opinion.