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I wondered if you might have any recommendations?
Many thanks,
Roger
No recommendations. Just advice from someone who is not particular
happy with his choice.
For the purpose stated she does not need an inexpensive camera,
megapixel wise. A 1.3 megapixel camera will give 1280 x 960 pixel
image on a computer screen which is even larger than she needs for a
web image.
She should buy one made by a camera manufacturer and try it out to
see whether it is easy to use. Computer/scanner makers may not
really understand the ergonomics of using a camera. Does the view on
the LCD on the back match the view in the finder especially if it is
a zoom? I notice that is now being mentioned as a "feature" by some
manufacturers.
For the desired purpose it should focus closely. Check to see whether
it gets as close as she wants. Some zooms only get their close focus
at the wide angle. Before buying try the macro focus by taking a
picture of a subject with some depth. Look at the image on the LCD to
see whether it focused where you want it. If she cannot control where
it autofocuses in the macro setting it will be unusable for what she
wants. For instance taking a shot down into a bowl. Does it focus on
the rim or the bottom?
Consider a single focal length rather than a zoom. She may get a
faster lens that will be more useful in the conditions she is likely
to be shooting.
Look for one in which the LCD on the back can be set to actually show
the picture the way it will be with exposure you used. Then it
becomes a true preview that is useful in determining whether it needs
to be redone. Most give you an image with an automatic brightness
level that bears little relationship to what you actually get when
you download. Otherwise, as with a film camera, you have to take
notes on each exposure, process the pictures and evaluate them and
redo the ones that don't meet your expectations after consulting your
notes.
Spend some extra money to get a rechargable battery, a large memory
chip, a decent tripod and a good, but not expensive photoprocessing
program like Photoshop Elements.
After all this I think I second the suggestion of a used OM1, 50/3.5
and an inexpensive film scanner so that she control depth of field
and focus point. Or pay someone who already has the equipment, skill
and experience to do the photos for her. If she is selling she wants
really good pictures.
--
Winsor Crosby
Long Beach, California
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