buying new camera! which one !!!

[snowf197]

Well, im going to be buying a new camera and Im totally stuck. Theres just so much choice! I was hoping that if i specified exactly what id be using it for, maybe the more experienced of you could give me a shove in the right direction as i feel im very much a beginner in the photography stakes!

Im a jewellery designer and take pictures of my jewellery for my site.... so I need a good macro setting. Also, I took a great shot on holiday this year and i really wanted to have it blown up into a canvas but cause my camera is so crap, the biggest i could get was a 10 x 7 print! So id like to be able to enlarge an image without the loss in quality. Those are the 2 main things I really would like.

I thought about Nikon Coolpix P90 and someone else suggested LUMIX TZ7. But to be honest, all Im doing is reading about the camera and id rather know first hand from someone WHO KNOWS!

Im currently using a konica Minolta Dimage Z10. Totally old, i know. Only has an 8x optical zoom and 3.2 mega pixels. But, i have found it a great all round camera (until it came to enlarging my pictures )

Any suggestions?

[KodiakStar]

It depends on a few things. What is your budget?

Do you want a point and shoot, or a dSLR with interchangeable lenses?

Also consider putting aside a little money to buy/make a good lightbox with lights, and a (mini) tripod.

You can take some great macro shots with the right lighting, if you aren't using one already that is!

[castman]

I like the Nikon Coolpix P90 It looks like it has more stuff that can be useful. The Nikon has 24x Optical Wide-Angle (26-624mm) Zoom where the LUMIX TZ7 has 10x optical zoom. I also think that a light box would be a get idea for what you are doing. There are cheap ways to make one.

[AndCity]

I've got Panasonic Lumix FZ18 which is a bridge camera. It has a brilliant zoom on it (18x) and the macro setting is quite good too. I would love to have a proper DSLR like the Canon rebel but circumstances don't permit! But the FZ18 does the job for me (and a bit more!) and can now be picked up quite cheaply (I have seen it for £130) as the FZ28 has replaced it. Let us know what you decide to do?

[sk66]

Based upon your description, it sounds to me like you want an advanced P&S or a "bridge camera."

So the decider would be do you value convenience more than overall capability.

If you value convenience, I'd suggest a Canon G-10 (it's what I carry as my "backup" or for just "general" picture taking). Get an inexpensive tripod and you're set. It does excellent "sorta macro", which is what you are probably wanting for your jewelry work. (true macro requires a true macro lens and is really only an option with a DSLR).

If you want maximum capability, then a bridge camera with huge zoom range might be better, but at that size and cost you are really just flirting with DSLR territory with compromises..... To me the compromises weren't worth it without the added convenience, but I already had a DSLR and a bunch of lenses.

If you are thinking about getting into the hobby seriously, then I'd recommend an entry level DSLR body and a dedicated macro lens in the 85-105mm range. But like any hobby it consumes money,.. more than you expect.

[snowf197]

oh goodness, so much to think about!

KodiakStar : It would be a point and shoot digital camera Id want. I dont want different lenses. My buget is no more than £300.

Iv got some good pictures of my jewellery using a white bathroom tile as a base. How would I go about making a cheap lightbox?

This sounds silly but........... whats a "bridge camera" ?

And what sort of thing do i need to look for in a camera that would tell me if the imagies would be able to be enlarged without loosing the quality of the picture?

[KodiakStar]

Do it yourself light tent:
How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent - DIY

You can also buy a setup from most camera stores, amazon online, etc for somewhere between 50-100$ if you want something a bit more "quality". But with the DIY one, you can change your backround colors easliy with fabric, paper etc.

If you don't have one, a small table-top tripod works wonders for taking "still life" photography as well!

For your price range, a Canon PowerShot may work good.
Canon PowerShot G10 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

As far as "bridge camera" they are typically ones that have more features similar to a dSLR than a point and shoot does. Including those that have those "ultra-zooms" with 10x+ optical zoom, and typically have better pictures then standard point and shoots.

They are designed for people who want more custom features, or something a little better then they can get than the simple point and shoots, without having to buy lenses for their camera body.

[KodiakStar]

One final note, is to go out to some stores where they have the cameras on display, and play with them! Feel them in your hands. Test the macro ability of them, and see what is right for you.

While we can suggest cameras, features, etc. There is nothing like feeling them in your hands to get a sense of if it works for you, and "feels good"

Nothing worse then buying a camera that, in the end, doesn't do what you want, is too simple or complicated, and doesn't feel right when you hold it!