Non DSLR camera for macro?

[Marxwyn]

Edit: Thanks everyone for helping and giving suggestions on what camera to get.
It is been solved now.
A local shop had quite a big boxing day discount , so got myself an entry level DSLR
-------------------------------------------------
Sorry if I post on the wrong forum...

Any suitable cameras for taking close up/macro photos?
does not need to be ultra compact.
From... mid range price to upper range (US$250 and up)

and.... comparation between Canon G9 and G10?

Many thanks in advance

[takethislife5150]

any point and shoot that has a close focusing distance and wide aperture..



if budget wasn't an issue I'd just say get a DSLR

but thats just me

[BLOGitse]

I'm an amateur, just shooting for fun/hobby/blogging...
I have G9 and so far it's been enough...You can see some of my pictures here

[Marxwyn]

thanks for the replies.

if I want to push it, then I could get a DSLR
thing is that I'm just a starter and not ready for DSLR

[Tess P]

Originally Posted by Marxwyn

thanks for the replies.

if I want to push it, then I could get a DSLR
thing is that I'm just a starter and not ready for DSLR

I have a DSLR, but before I bought it, I had a lot of fun shooting with my Fuji 50SE. I still do. It can focus up to 5 cm (macro, not "super" macro). I think I paid about $200 for it.

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by Marxwyn

thanks for the replies.

if I want to push it, then I could get a DSLR
thing is that I'm just a starter and not ready for DSLR

DSLRs have auto modes too.....don't be afraid that they are too complicated. If you get stuck just ask

I find for macro work SLRs are ideal because they give you the best view through the lens that you can get. Being able to see your subject through a big, bright optical viewfinder is much better than trying to hold a lower resolution live view screen at arms length...I find I can focus far more acurately and quicker with a viewfinder than I can with a LCD.

The quality you can get out a DSLR with a good macro lens is far superior to what a compact can manage and the ability to control depth of field is also far superior. To some that is important. If you want to take macro seriously I'd suggest a DSLR but if you just want to have a little fun a compact will do the job.

One of my Flickr contacts uses a close up attachment on a bridge camera and gets some cracking results:
Click here
A bridge camera is a bit like a big compact but some of them have viewfinders that show you what the lens sees.

The bit about being able to see what the lens sees is very important when shooting objects close to the camera.

[xxpinballxx]

Ricoh's GX series cameras allow shooting distance alot closer than most.
the GX1000 is suppose to be a great camera for macro...its around 399.99 or so.


The question is what is keeping you from getting into a nice entry level DSLR?
There is alot of added expense since its very hard to get a kit and not want more lenses and flashes and filters and etc......

The G series from canon are great cameras.... I had a G5 and G7.
I love them for take along cameras when you are not trying to "Get your DSLR" on so to speak. When I am taking photos to make great images i always grab my D200 but the G5 is a nice one for when Im going somehwere and I am not sure if I'll need a camera or not.....mostly for snapping and remembering times.

but for the price of a G10 you can add a couple hundred and get a DSLR that can be so much more. add some cheap ext. tubes from ebay and you have a great macro rig. AS long as you have great lighting.

Good luck in your search!

[melabonbon]

I have a Canon PowerShot S3is. Cost me $300. There is now a newer model, the S5. From what I have seen, the only advantage to the newer model is the fact that the S5 has a flash hotshoe.
My camera has a macro and a super macro mode. You can use manual focus in super macro mode but not macro mode. You can use the zoom lens with the macro mode. With super macro mode you can shoot subjects that are literally right up against the lens; that's how close you can get.
I believe this type of camera is called a super zoom or a prosumer camera.

[marcbenton]

I have to chime in with melabonbon on the Canon Powershot S5IS. The selling point to me during the demo was the super macro function. I've recently upgraded to a DSLR and miss the macro mode of the S5, its going to take a bit of money to replace it. The Raynox DCR-250 macro lens also fits the S5.

There is a large population in the S5 group on Flickr. You could search the pool there for macro shots to get an idea of the capability (http://flickr.com/groups/canonpowershots5is/). I would also recommend you look at the Flickr user jciv for his S5 macros with the Raynox.

[rayray88]

i bought a fujifilm s1000fd just recently, it takes some excellent shots. macro and super macro shots come out beautifully, and it has a wider range of modes to shoot in than regular point and clicks (i.e. aperture and shutter priority, manual) as well as a 12x optical zoom which is decent. relatively cheap price, got mine for AU$289. next step up will definately be a dslr though.