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Need a camera recommendation for Hardware Review Pics

W

wolf2009

Golden Member
I am going to be shooting some hardware pics for reviews.

So please suggest me a camera. I don't need a high MP camera, since the pics to be published will be cropped anyway to a low size.

But what I would need is some way to customize the flash intensity and direction through a accessory or something.

Budget is pretty tight, like anything less than $150. Even $150 is stretching it.

I'm currently looking at http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1198888712074

Sony dsc-s750 for $90, and maybe I can add a flash accessory to it
 
Hmmm... how about getting any old camera and a tripod and building a light box instead?

http://www.strobist.blogspot.c...acro-photo-studio.html
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524

The light box will give the part nice, even, soft lighting, and you mount the camera on the tripod and shoot with a remote or timed shutter to avoid vibration blur.

Read reviews on cameras to see if they have adjustable flash output (most do) and you can change flash angle by taping white index cards on the camera to bounce the flash in some other direction other than forward.

 
In order of importance:

1) DIY Lightbox - essential for product shots on a limited budget. Instead of using a flash for illumination, get a couple of inexpensive desk lamps with high wattage light bulbs.

2) Small flexible tripod - essential for allowing you to take sharp pictures at your camera's base ISO without using the built-in flash.

3) DPReview rated the best budget compacts, and these three were on top: Canon PowerShot A590 IS, Panasonic LZ8, Sony W120. I personally have the Sony W120 and it's a great camera for the price (usually $120 or less). Panasonic and Canon perform just as well. I would browse the hot deals sites, or perhaps check out Circuit City's liquidation (there are some great deals on digital cameras if you dig around the store). Another avenue is Craigslist; lots of cheap compact digital cameras on there under $100 (in my area at least).

EDIT: And FBB beat me to the punch 🙂
 
i've used daylight balanced CF lights put into desk lamps for my DIY lightbox stuff. CF costs more, but you can get a ridiculously bright light that won't overload/melt the desk lamp.

works ok
 
It's a standard tripod mount, so yes it fits.

DealExtreme takes ~3 weeks to deliver. It's trustworthy, but comes direct from the seller in China.

Otherwise you can simply buy the Joby Gorillapod in lots of local camera stores and online US retailers for $20-$30.
 
Originally posted by: foghorn67
Some of the Canon A series has a silly close focusing distance. Might want to look into that.
Click to expand...

which one would you suggest ?

Right now, I have narrowed it down to 2 cameras. Sony W120, which I can get for $80 and Nikon S210 for $95.

Which one would you suggest ?
 
Sony W120 is a much better camera than the Nikon S210.

Having a "silly" close focusing distance isn't really useful for product shots, unless you want to make a poster size print of the barcode label on a product box.
 
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sony W120 is a much better camera than the Nikon S210.
Click to expand...

could you please point me to a comparison or your or someone else's personal experience with both the cameras ?

Also why do you think Sony W120 is a better camera ?
 
Originally posted by: wolf2009
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sony W120 is a much better camera than the Nikon S210.
Click to expand...

could you please point me to a comparison or your or someone else's personal experience with both the cameras ?

Also why do you think Sony W120 is a better camera ?
Click to expand...
Sony W120

Nikon S210

Which one do you like better?

Buy that one.
 
WOW, you are right .

w120 has a more real like colours and less of that rounded effect, barrel distortion i think its called.

Another question, can I use High Capacity like 8GB or 16GB microSD cards with microSD to Memory Stick adapter in the W 120 ?
 
so i got the sony W120 for $85.

now only need a tripod and some lighting.

also from where can i get the long white paper as shown in above DIY lightbox ?
 
Yeah, depending on the size of the box you build, you can use craft paper, poster board, etc. Lots of paper there, in white and other colors.
 
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sony W120 is a much better camera than the Nikon S210.

Having a "silly" close focusing distance isn't really useful for product shots, unless you want to make a poster size print of the barcode label on a product box.
Click to expand...

That is really naive.
 
Originally posted by: foghorn67
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sony W120 is a much better camera than the Nikon S210.

Having a "silly" close focusing distance isn't really useful for product shots, unless you want to make a poster size print of the barcode label on a product box.
Click to expand...

That is really naive.
Click to expand...
Not really; the 0cm "super" macro mode is more of an artistic tool than something that would be used for hardware review pictures. "Normal" macro mode on any camera (including a Canon) focuses close enough.

It's a great feature, just not one the OP needs to consider for his purposes.
 
Originally posted by: wolf2009
Originally posted by: jpeyton
Staples, Office Depot, Office Max
Click to expand...

what is that called exactly, should I just tell them that I am looking for long sheets of paper ?
Click to expand...

i used tri-fold science fair type foam board for the frame, and regular copy paper for the sides. the inside was a sheet of poster board.

not very sturdy. i should probably build a new jig of PVC.

set it on a table, put some desk lamps around it, and you're set. as i said, i've had good experience with 150 watt equivalent compact fluorescent bulbs. about $10 a piece at home depot.
 
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