Part II Best Macro on a Low Cost Digital Camera

[jasman]

I started a discussion thread a couple weeks ago to address my pet peeve of not being able to get a closer view when I take watch pictures, using either of my current digital cameras (a Sony DCS W1 and an Olympus D470). A few forum members suggested taking pictures at a high resolution setting, then cropping it to get a closer view. While this is certainly doable and sometimes more practical, I find myself preferring to shoot a whole bunch of pictures and then simply selecting the ones that look good.

Since I did not get a lot of responses from my initial inquiry, I did a little bit of my own research on this subject and thought I’d share what I’ve learned to whoever is interested.

With a few comments I’ve heard from a number of forum members and information I gathered from other watch and photo websites, several mentioned the Nikon Coolpix line with this capability. I proceeded to look at these cameras and came up with some conclusions.

Indeed, most of the Coolpix line of cameras have a claimed close focusing capability down to 1.6” from the object, some models are even quoted as capable as close as 0.6” (based on their published technical specs).

I played with a few different models at our local BestBuy, CompUSA and Target stores and found most of them to handle close focusing quite well and have confirmed their printed claims. The 5200 and 7600 models, I found to focus very quickly in Macro mode. These are fancier, higher priced models that are higher resolution capable and have a few more added features. I also looked at the lower line Coolpix cameras and found the 3200 and 4600 just as capable in close focusing mode, however these models seem to take a few more seconds to settle on a focus in Macro mode.

While these cameras allow really up close focusing, there is the penalty of “flash cut-off” when using the flash as the primary light source. Using an external light source or a “tent” will take care of this problem.

I have enclosed a couple of sample pictures to compare my Sony DSC W1's macro capability to the Coolpix 3200. By the way, the 3200 is no longer listed in Nikon’s website, meaning this model is probably discontinued. I’ve seen several internet retailers still selling a few factory reconditioned units. I just picked one up for about $117 + shipping. There are also a few brand new ones selling at eBay for a few $$ more.

Here is the closest shot I can get from my Sony DSC W1 camera


Here is the closest shot I can get from my Nikon Coolpix 3200


I'm sure there are a lot of other cameras which may have better macro performance. I'm curious what you guys are using (curious too on how much the equipment is). Just so we can compare apples to apples.

[JBHII]

I tried modifying your code a bit to get the pics to show, but it didn't work. Can you check the address of the host site your using?

[MikeS]

i have a coolpix and i get some cool macros!

[jasman]

Dunno what happened to my pics, I'll try again.

Here is the closest macro on my Sony DSC W1


Here is the closest macro on my Nikon 3200


I'm using Imageshack.us to host, do you have a host site to recommend using?

[natgas]

Jasman, there are many digicams out there with various macro settings; I just happen to have purchased a new Fuji S7000 that has not only macro but supermacro settings; I won't say that it is good, but very good; I'm posting a couple of pics below using the supermacro mode; I also know that the Coolpix line has extremely good macro capabilities as my son has one and I've played with it. As to taking higher resolution pics and then cropping, that also works regardless of how good your cams macro mode; but I would venture to guess that the better your cams macro mode, the better the pics are cropped; these pics are shot at 6M mode and cropped to a more modest 100-120 kb: