Best camera for a good closeup "Eye Shot"...?

[StatikStepz]

Hey guys... I'm in the market for a really good camera that does a REALLY nice, exceptional, up close and personal, CLEAR eye shot for a gecko!

Can anyone help me out...????

I see some AMAZING eye shot pictures on here, that are crazy closeup, and show every little vein and color and everything... Well what camera are you guys using to take these pix...? Or is it a certain setting or technique you use for it?

I currently own a "Canon Powershot SD600 Digital ELPH" digital camera. If it is a certain setting or technique that you use, can i do it with my camera? Or is my camera not good enough for this? I've tried using the macro setting, and just can't seem to get a good pic that is not blurry.

Either way, i'm still looking to get a new camera even if my camera can somehow do it, so any suggestions on what you guys have that you use for those rediclous eye pix you guys take, would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[robin]

how much you want to pay?


i use a canon 350D and an 18-55mm lens for all my shots

 

[StatikStepz]

How much did u end up paying for all that?

I'm lookin for MAYBE somewhere in the $200-$300 range...? Or am i not going to get anything good for that price?

 

[robin]

when i got mine three years ago it was around $800 but you can prolly pick the same camera up for about $400 now my camera however is a digital SLR. there are some good camera out there for around $300 that can take some very nice photos. you just have to do your homework. i will check with some of my friends who know some about some non dslr's (those are expensive) within your price range

 

[StatikStepz]

Thanks alot! I'd appreciate it!

(altho i have no idea what "dslr" means... but ok, we'll go with it! lmao)

 

[Chewbecca]

DSLR=digital single lens reflex camera

It's the digital version of an SLR. An SLR requires film, but both you switch out lenses and you view your shots through a viewfinder vs. the back of an LCD screen like you do with point and shoots.

The sensors in DSLRs (and SLRs) are more...sensitive and accurate, USUALLY, than those in point and shoots.
The point with DSLRs is that the photographer has more control over how the picture comes out rather than a camera determining how the picture comes out.

:main_yes:

 

[Mel&Keith]

It can be very hard to get good eye shots with a point and shoot camera. Try using your macro mode again but take pictures in really bright light. You'll get a clearer shot that way but it may be hard to get the gecko to sit still.

Your other option (using your current camera) is to set the focal point to the single dot setting: not the one with the dot in ( ) or the box { }. This will make the focus area more narrow and let you more easily focus on the eye. Use a large pixel setting and crop the photo when you're done. If you have the Pet mode you can try that as well, it sets your shutter speed faster to reduce blur.

It's easier to get those great shots with a DSLR but you still have to learn how to set it to get them. Practice (and reading the camera manual to understand how it works) is how I learned.

 

[MasiKast]

I know this is an old thread but either way here I go....

Another way to get a super macro/micro with only the eye,

DSLR with a 14-45 (or equivalent) Set it to 45mm

Take off the lense

Set your camera to the speed setting

Flip the lense around and line it up to where the lense connects (outward part facing the inside of camera)

then move forward and backwards until it is in focus.

This is how I get all my really tight macro/micro shots.

It takes a lot of practice and steadiness. Best to practice before hand on something not moving, then try something that moves but isn't going to get scared of the camera...

Also, Light would be most important in this case!

I have an Olympus E-500, Got it cheap (bout $400) used with a few lenses and filters

[/IMG]

This isn't the best shot, it's highly edited due to lack of light. But I am new to working with the geckos (I've gotten pretty good shots of flowers moving in wind and things like that, just not so many things that are running away from me like the geckos do lol!). This is just the "ghetto" way of getting micro with out spending $300+ on a lense when you have already spent a LOT on the camera.

Hope it helps future readers!

 

[herpencounter]

Cheap point and shoots work too lol

 

[Norman_22]

using D90 + nikkor 50mm f1.8 + raynox dcr250

 

[Rhizo]

Hey guys... I'm in the market for a really good camera that does a REALLY nice, exceptional, up close and personal, CLEAR eye shot for a gecko!

I hope this wont sound rude, but its hard to word this on the boards.

This line of yours sends the wrong message. The camera does nothing. You can own the most expensive equipment, but if you don't know how to use it... what good is it?

That said, any DSLR today will give you a clear shot. It's the person behind the shutter and lens doing all the work. Some lenses have a near macro reach, or you can go with a true 1:1 macro.

My honest advice on what system to buy into are Pentax or Olympus. Nikon and Canon are good in their respect, but it sounds like you wont upgrade beyond kit glass. The kit lenses they use are plain horrible. Far too soft with visible CA for my taste.

I have used these systems, and again I'm not just blabbering away. I really dislike when people talk about brands, and they never even bothered to use them. Believe me, after a while you will see what I mean.

These are some random shots I took. Not really going for the eye more so than a gecko portrait.

 

[uroplatus99]

I know this post is a bit old... but I am new and wanted to add to it

I have a Nikon D200, 50mm f/1.8 and some extension tubes... I paid 8 bucks plus some change in shipping for the tubes... and they are just awesome.

That was with a couple of the tubes. You can see some cool detail in the full size image.

http://photo.silasswaim.com/albums/test1/Crested_001.jpg
Give it time to load... huge 10+ mpix photo....

All the tubes (3 total) get you pretty close with the 50mm fixed focal length lens...

This is a cropped down photo (but only abouty 30%) then resized...

The spider is only about 4 to 5mm long... this was shot at f/1.8 so the DOF is a bit tight... but you could count the hairs if you like

 

[ReptileWorld]

this was done with a cannon rebel t1i with standard lens.

 

[Nia2010]

I would love to own the big cameras like cannon, However right now i using a Panasonic DMC-FH22 Lumix 14 megapixels.

And here are my results.

 

[Ailsa007]

If you are aiming at buying a camera for close up shots, it is recommended to buy something with high zoom lenses. I just had a great experience with the Nikon Coolpix 990 which gives very sharp close up macro photos. It is a top-quality camera with changeable lenses. I highly recommend this brand for its quality and reliability.