Best macro under $750 for pics of bolts, screws, etc

[Nicole in Atl]

I have a new project in which I'll need to take pics of small metal items such as screws, nails, washers, etc. Some are as small as 1/8". What digital camera would you buy? I'll be editng on my G4 w/ Adope software. Thanks

 

[Uncle Frank]

Nicole, the Coolpix line is highly regarded for macrophotography, and most of the models can focus from distances as close as 2cm. Perhaps the best at it are the models in the swivel camera line (cp950, 995, 4500), as their split body design allows for a wide variety of perspectives.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp4500/

Unfortunately, Nikon recently discontinued the 4500, but refurbished ones are available periodically through the Nikon Mall at less than $400.

http://www.nikonmall.com/product.asp?sku=2383095

If you can't get you hands on a 4500, you might like the new cp5400. It's a great vacation camera, too, and sells through the etailers in the $550 range.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp5400/

--
Warm regards,
Uncle Frank, FCAS Charter Member,
Hummingbird Hunter, DPR/NTF Supporter
Coolpix fifty seven hundred and nine ninety five
http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix&page=all

 

[Duece]

I have a new project in which I'll need to take pics of small metal
items such as screws, nails, washers, etc. Some are as small as
1/8". What digital camera would you buy? I'll be editng on my G4
w/ Adope software. Thanks

--My cp5400 takes really nice macro shots, i'm really happy with it. Ive seen good macros from the cp5000 too. but so far from what ive seen and read i'd really look at the cp4500 you cant go wrong with that camera.
Duece
CP2100, CP5400
PBase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/duece

 

[Leonardo]

Yes, the CP4500 is probably the best for macros and, although out of production, is still available in limited supplies. I just did a search on http://www.pricegrabber.com and found 5 vendors offering it, though three of these were offering refurbished models. However, it looks like you can get it new for under $500 from Tristate Photo, but probably only if you are willing to buy a few other related items at the same time.

--
FCAS Member, CP5000
Leonardo

 

[Todd Art]

I've got a 5700 and I like the macros I take, but I have to admit the 4500 has an edge over my camera. Try to find one of those.

--
Todd
http://www.muskopf.org
FCAS member, Hummingbird Hunter/Gatherer
getting there painter, wannabe photog

'To all those whom I offend, please forgive me'



this signature business is getting out of hand...

 

[Nicole in Atl]

Thanks for all the input here. Although some suggested the 4500, I just gotta buy a current production item. I found it at Circuit City on-line for $584.

Please advise on lenses/adaptors I should get for the macro stuff. And is J&R a good source for the extras? Again, TY to all.

 

[Ping279]

I have the camera and a g4 with photoshop. Of all the camera's i've seen, the 4500 seems to have the best macro abilities. One more plus is that it's so cheap now.... if only you can find one : - )

If you want to see some examples of some macros w/ the camera, you can visit my macro galleries. Many of the items on there are at least 1/8" if not smaller. the water droplets were probably around 1/10". I hope this has helped.
My macro galleries :

http://www.pbase.com/ping279/macros

--
~ Ping279 ~
http://www.pbase.com/ping279
Highschooler from Florida, aspiring photographer

FCAS Member

• I live for the small things in life, they keep my camera nice
and busy •
Nikon CP 4•5•0•0 - Hoping for a DSLR soon!!

 

[Jerry Kalpin]

Thanks for all the input here. Although some suggested the 4500, I
just gotta buy a current production item. I found it at Circuit
City on-line for $584.
Please advise on lenses/adaptors I should get for the macro stuff.
And is J&R a good source for the extras? Again, TY to all.

I don't know why people think the 4500 is discontinued ...we still have good stock in many photography stores in Canada.

For small parts I would suggest you buy the SL-1 Cool Light. It is not a flash but a battery powered LED illuminator ...that screws on to the lens ...and forms a stand. Here below is a small postage-size pic of part of a Canadian $20 bill, taken that way. The file size was reduced for easier viewing; the origina pic more than fills the screen, more than 20:1 magnification.



--
Jerry
CP4500 Canon i950

 

[Mike Wright]

I have a new project in which I'll need to take pics of small metal
items such as screws, nails, washers, etc. Some are as small as
1/8". What digital camera would you buy? I'll be editng on my G4
w/ Adope software. Thanks

I take lots of shots of insects about that size with my CP 4500, under less than ideal conditions. You can see some of my accessories at http://www.coastalfog.net/digicams/cp4500.html . I have quite a few of the images posted on http://www.pbase.com/darwinian/insects . You can see cropped, unresized versions of most by clicking on "original" under an image. All have had some postprocessing--a little sharpening at the very least, and most are heavily cropped.

Here's a rare (for me) "studio" shot of a couple of seeds (1/4" long, or less) on black foam core board, using the SL-1 Cool-Light that Jerry mentioned. It's cropped, not resized, and has had no postprocessing. Feel free to download it if you'd like to try some postprocessing and/or printing.



Lighting at that distance is the biggest problem. The SL-1 doesn't really put out much light. That shot was 1/7 second at f/3.5 (hence the super-shallow depth of field). There are a couple of new options from DigiSlave, the LRing and LRing Ultra ( http://www.srelectronics.com/Lring.html ) that no one here has tried with the 4500, as far as I know. They look more powerful, but require a 52mm step-up ring. I don't know if a 28mm-52mm step-up is available, so it may require something like a 28mm-37mm and a 37mm-52mm, all of which will push the LRing a ways out from the lens.

Still, with a studio setup, it should be possible to come up with something. If you use a copy stand of some kind, even a strong flashlight (with or without a diffuser) on one side and a reflector on the other might work.

--
Mike Wright
Nikon CP 4 5 0 0, TC--E2, TC--E3ED
FCAS Member - Hummingbird Hunter
http://www.pbase.com/darwinian
http://www.coastalfog.net/digicams/dc_main.html

 

[Uncle Frank]

Please advise on lenses/adaptors I should get for the macro stuff.
And is J&R a good source for the extras? Again, TY to all.

You won't need any extras except for a tripod, Nicole. The native lens will be totally adequate for your stated needs.

--
Warm regards,
Uncle Frank, FCAS Charter Member,
Hummingbird Hunter, DPR/NTF Supporter
Coolpix fifty seven hundred and nine ninety five
http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix&page=all