What’s Your Preference?

JD Snider · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011, 12:35 AM

Hello to all,
I'm new to DPS and enrolled to get some good tips at taking the best photos that I can for my albums and to share with others.
I wished I could purchase two cameras, one for my occupation and the other for just taking good photos of the areas that my job takes me to, but cost is a factor.

My work requires that I take very close up shots of details on blue print drawings, I also like to take very close up shots of nature (bees on flowers etc.). Work photos of buildings and interiors from a distance and close up as well.

Right now I'm traveling through the Great Smokie Mountains and would love to take some great pictures and also of all the water falls. Of the Cyber-shots which one would be the best for both work and play. Close up and silky water falls are awesome, is there any advise to help me choose? Thanks for your help, I have looked at dozens and I'm not sure which one would work for me.

John

kcoppock · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011, 01:06 AM

I won't make any recommendations, as I don't have a lot of experience with other cameras, but what I will say is that if you're wanting to get details of blueprints, a camera is NOT what I would recommend. Just a cheap flatbed scanner will do a nicer job than than your camera could hope to. The bed keeps the sheet perfectly flat (don't want distorted lines on your blueprints -- might build the walls crooked

) and you can usually scan around 1200 dpi.

Preferably, get the original files and just crop them in Acrobat.

I know it's not always possible to obtain the originals, though.

cyber3d · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011, 03:47 AM

How close up are you going to need to be for your blueprints? How many inches across do you need to capture? I agree with kcoppock, a scanner would be best. But, if you are trying to capture larger than 8.5x11 well then you need to shoot it and there are techniques that can help there.

I have had a couple different cyber-shots (H1 and H9). and they have served me well as a beginner digital camera. But, when I had them, the only thing I wished for was the ability to add lens accessories like close up filters or polarizing filters.

If you want better versatility - I suggest you find a camera with interchangeable lens or at least one that can accept filters. Then you can take really exceptional macro shots.

JD Snider · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011, 07:31 AM

Thank you both for your reply,
Prints may be 30" x 36" (Full size) and in field I may have to make changes in red ink on the prints and photograph half the page or 25% of a page, so fairly close I would say. 8.5 x 11 is common.
Again thank you both

John

cyber3d · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011, 08:02 AM

Ahh I see. You're out in the field taking pics of BPs to document changes. I suggest you get a Cyber-Shot camera that has the most MegaPixels you can find. So that you get the resolution you'll need to capture the BP edit details.

You may want to get a camera with a flip out/tilting LCD screen. With BPs usually placed on work tables and having hundreds of pages you'll want a camera you can hold above the drawings (as perpendicular to the drawings as possible) and flip out/tilting LCD screen will help a great deal - it'll make your life easier and save your neck.

JD Snider · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2011, 01:42 AM

Thanks Cyber3d

I think i'll find something like a 16mp, do you have any thoughts on what type for when i'm not at work and just playing around? again I really like the water shots. Thanks

cyber3d · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2011, 01:59 AM

No. No other suggestions. Just handle a few models before you purchase. Most camera shops will let you bring a memory card to try clicking a few shots in different cameras and bringing the card home to inspect on your computer at high magnification.

Make sure you have a compatible card. Take the same pictures with each camera with the same settings - usually automatic will do. People, foliage, macro. Bring card home and download it into your computer (with a card reader since you don't yet have the camera purchased) and compare sharpness, color balance, color fringe around high contrast edges, etc.

Then choose your weapon! If you like your local shop - buy there.

kcoppock · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2011, 02:16 AM

Good advice from cyber3d.

I'd also compare lens distortion between images too, but that really depends on how accurate of a capture you're trying to get. If it's just for reference, it won't be a big deal. Granted, I would expect no major engineering work would happen from a photographed copy anyway.

Biomech · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2011, 10:27 AM

As mentioned something like the H series would be ideal. H, HV etc. They are large compacts but have manual overrides via a dial on the top. Good zooms, fixed lens, great colour reproduction. Sony's have always been good with macro as well (IMO).

Where do you live?
All Sony Centres will have them out on show ready to play with.

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Quote:

Just handle a few models before you purchase. Most camera shops will let you bring a memory card to try clicking a few shots in different cameras and bringing the card home to inspect on your computer at high magnification.

That is true and a very good idea. However. I used to sell cameras and 99% of people that did that, didn't know how to hold the camera, press the shutter properly or take a picture properly. They would snap the shutter, not focus and then complain that after their "careful analysis", the camera was crap. This became such an issue that I used to take the photos for them. Sometimes after they complained just to prove it wasn't the camera :P