Digital Cameras & Macro.. Any good cheap ones?

I know it sounds like an off topic question but isn't... promise :)

I used to have an old Casio QV10 (0.3meg pixels) that had a rather good close up macro feature but my current snapshot digital camera (Aiptek DV3100) is rather rubbish as its depth of field is rather shallow and set a bit too far to get good closeups.

Anyone have any suggestions for a cheap digital camera that has good depth of field and able to fill the view finder at OO\HO scale?

I guess I'm looking to get closeups of individual people figures if possible.

What are others using?

One good feature of my Aiptek (though not under bridges :o) is that it is slim enough to tape to a truck and trundle around the track whilst videoing...

regards

Pete

Reply to
Pete
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I have a Canon A70 which wasn't cheap when I bought it but it might be now if you can still get hold of one.

It has a macro feature on it and I've taken a photo of a Bachmann 158 and been able to clearly read the info panel in the photo (not by eye though!)

Peter Cheap Train Tickets:

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Reply to
Peter

Anything by Fuji, has, in my experience been very good at macro - my Fuji S5000 (currently around £200) is good enough to fill the frame with an N gauge or 2mm wagon, or probably something quite a bit smaller. However it is very dependent on the quality and characteristics of the lens. Look on one of the many digicam review sites and the focal distance in macro mode is usually quoted, the smaller the better - the Fuji S5000 is quoted at 10cm, most of the Fuji range is similar.

Basically spend the most you can afford and read reviews, many cameras might seem good value but can have pretty pants lenses. Stick with the bigger brands, but avoid the obviously 'budget' options, better to go for a slightly 'obsolete' model from higher in the range - might have less megapixels but the better lens, zoom etc will more than make up for it.

I think the Canon A70 has now been replaced with the A75, basically the same but with a swively LCD I think. Great camera.

Justin

Peter wrote:

Reply to
Justin Colson

SNIP Thanks for info.

Now that sounds interesting. My old QV Casio camera had a swivel lens which was excellent for life and portrait shots as it meant I was not looking directly at the subjects. Though the resolution was low I got some great people shots.

Pete

Reply to
Pete

Used Nikon Coolpix 950s (1.92 MP, 3X zoom) go for $200 or a little less; the 3.2MP 4X zoom 995's for under $300. They have good macro capability, focusing down to a little over 3/4 inch (2cm). I filled the screen of my

950 with a closeup of a foil from the top of a wine bottle. Some macro samples: (and see the overall reviews at the DPR website)

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Reply to
Steve Caple

Don't use digital but I've seen a number of references to clip on lenses. Sounds like the old 35mm close-ups. Have a lok at Jessops, if they are a reasonable price and any good they will stock something.

Ken.

Reply to
Ken Parkes

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