Looking for Decent older digital Camera for Closeups

Hi,

I'd like to buy a digital camera for use around the house in
general, and also for closeups for eBay photos. I've been checking out
the Nikon Coolpix 3600, but it retails for $179 ( I want to spend
around $50 for a decent older used digital camera).

I was checking out a Kodak dc 215 with just 1 mp, and a min focus
of 8 inches, I think. I think I can pick up one of those, used, for $50
or $60.

Anything else out there that would focus closer, something like 3
inches, and still be available used for about $50 or so ?

Thanks

 

Buy used.

 

My Oly C-700 focuses to 2.5" in macro mode. It's five-year-old
technology that cost ~$600 new. You might find a used one on eBay
for for a price you like. 2.1 Mpixels and a 10x zoom. Low-light
performance sucks. It's got some CA at some settings, and really
bad purple fringing around blown-out highlights. With controlled
lighting, it could do fine making shots for the web.

Paul Allen

 

<<My Oly C-700 focuses to 2.5" in macro mode. It's five-year-old
technology that cost ~$600 new. You might find a used one on eBay
for for a price you like. 2.1 Mpixels and a 10x zoom. Low-light
performance sucks. It's got some CA at some settings, and really
bad purple fringing around blown-out highlights. With controlled
lighting, it could do fine making shots for the web.
Thanks. I just checked, and found some Oly c-700's on eBay for $50 to
$150 used. I'm going to make it one of my options. It's much better
than the Kodak dc 215, for only a few bucks more.

 

I have a 2.3mp Toshiba w/8m smart card I was thinking of selling. Still
works as new... offers.

 

The undisputed "King of Close Up" about4-5 years ago were the Nikon
Coolpix 900 series (900, 950, 990 and 995)
They were in a class by themselves at the time.
See if any are available on e-bay.
Bob Williams

 

I'd second that, they are just made for eBay work! Not only is my 995
brilliant in macro mode, the swivel design means you can shoot low or
vertically when you need to avoid distracting backgrounds. The built-in
flash is not the greatest (those things never are) but a Speedlight with
Lumimax reflector solves that...

Some eBay pictures are so bad you wonder why people bother...

Paul

 

I third that. My coolpix cameras (most recent and still in use 990)
are exceptional macro cameras. I also reccomend the wide angle
accesory lens if you want close and wide... very dramatic. If you want
a decent flash get the adaptor cord model? that lets you use hot shoe
mount strobes with the camera. You might get lucky and find a whole
kit including the flash bracket and cord together. I would sell you
mine, but I still use it from time to time.
Bert Strom

 

Thanks. I checked around on eBay and the going price for the 9xx series
Coolpix is usually $225 . Some with problems for $50 to $100.

These prices are too high for me, so I'm thinking, again, of opting for
the Kodak dc 215. It has 2x optical, and these lens specs Lens
Features :

Optical Sensor Type: CCD
Maximum Focal Length: 58 mm
Minimum Focal Length: 29 mm
Display: LCD display - TFT active matrix - 1.8" - color

Would this Kodak DC 215 be acceptable for closeups for eBay? I read
somewhere that 8 inches is the closest it can focus. I could focus from
8 inches away, then use the digital zoom to get closer? And crop the
pic later, if necessary?



Thanks

 

The Kodak DC215 may not be what you expect. It is a "fixed
focus" or "hyper focal" camera. Meaning it has no "auto focus", it
relies on it's very wide DOF Depth Of Field to render most things in
acceptable focus.

Depending on "your" needs this can be a good or a bad thing.

This was my 1st digital camera & I still have it, use it for
certain things & like it. Actually I purchased a 2nd 1 off ebay
recently because I want to try to remove it's IR block filter to make
it more sensitive to NIR for daytime Near IR photography. It can take
1/2 second long pictures with a HOYA R72 NIR filter if you cover it's
light sensor (not TTL, it's separate) into thinking it's dark thus
forcing it to it's maximum exposure 1/2 second. The manual
illustrates the location of the light sensor near the lens but the
manual points to the wrong 1, as I soon realized.

Very nice pictures can be had @ this speed but a tripod & use
of the self timer are both needed. If I am lucky & manage to remove
the IR block filter, I hope it may than be fast enough to make
handheld NIR photography possible!

Worst case situation is that it does not survive the
procedure, in which case I will have spare parts for my original if
ever needed.

Here's a brief review of it:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/dc215.html

Best of luck, I hope this helps you or others.

Respectfully, DHB


"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

 

if you've seen one photo of a used kidney, you've seen them all?

 

Huh?

There's only ever been one auction for a human kidney (in 1999) which was
cancelled by eBay admin. There was no picture. I'm in need of a kidney
transplant as it happens, so I live in hope there'll be another on offer
soon!

Seriously though, some pictures accompanying auctions are so poor they put
you off bidding. If you can't get a better shot, it's better just to leave
it off altogether.

Paul