Recommended cameras - Orchid Board

qbie · #1 10-06-2024, 10:49 PM

Hello, I've been admiring many of the professional-looking photos you all take on here. As much as the camera phones nowadays are very light and convenient and can take some pretty good photos, the thing that still frustrates me the most is not having the ability to manually focus on what I want when the camera sensor keeps thinking I want to focus on something else. I am not very techy, and my only manual camera is a Pentax from long ago when one developed their own film and worked in a dark room, so the only terms I know are pretty much obselete. For those that take close-up shots, is a special (macro?) lens required? Or is there a camera that won't totally break the bank that can still shoot these decently enough without having to switch to another lens? I'm considering investing in a more sophisticated digital camera. At some point I'm sure I will need to learn modern digital photography vocabulary. Thanks for any suggestions.

Roberta · #2 10-07-2024, 12:50 AM

I had a Pentax like that too!

Alas, because phones have become the "portable camera" of choice for so many, the options for the good point-and-shoot cameras have really diminished. For years I have sworn by the Panasonic Lumix ZS series ultra-zoom cameras, that no longer are made. I finally decided to take the plunge, got a Lumix G95 (mirrorless) with a kit lens (medium zoom) that gives pretty good performance. There are similar cameras from other manufacturers, everyone has their favorite. (I liked this one because I was familiar with the Panasonic interface which shortened my learning curve, and it is lighter-weight than most - 4/3 lens mount has fewer options than the full size mount, but again lenses are smaller and lighter, I'm a weakling, and there are still plenty of choices). More serious photographers tend to prefer Canon or Nikon, sky is the limit on lens choices.

Autofocus works quite well for most situations... especially if you choose point focusing and point metering. (If you haven't had a digital camera, you will likely spend a fair amount of time learning to navigate menus and exploring options... time well spent) But you do have plenty of manual options too. And of course you can really go down the rabbit hole with lenses. I got a low-end macro lens that helps with really small flowers, but the kit lens works pretty well too. There is a lot of room to grow if I want to spent more money (potentially a lot more...) Better lenses, ring flash... $$$$

Dalachin · #3 10-07-2024, 03:00 PM

That's a hard question... there are so many options for cameras, it really depends on your budget, how you want to shoot, etc.

The Pentax Lumix cameras are good all-round cameras-- we have a few for student use, and I've borrowed them for various things. They are particularly wonderful for timelapse and for video.

My camera is the Canon Mark IV and the lens I reach for the most is a 100mm fixed lens for small orchids and the 24-70mm for larger orchids. I light with monolight strobes. I only set all this up when I'm making photos that I intend to print (I have a small Etsy orchid photography shop which I intend to grow) or when I'm acting as AOS photographer for my orchid society. I also just don't have space to have all this set up all the time.

For daily documentation and for Instagram I shoot with my cell phone camera (I currently have an iphone 12, but I think my previous iphone camera was pretty great too)-- I honestly think it does a better job than most point-and-shoot and entry level cameras. You can set focus with the touch screen, which mostly works but can be frustrating, I wish the software was better. My current model has 3 built-in cameras, I shoot the most with the "2x" one since it has less distortion and creates more of a "narrow" focus effect.

I shoot most iphone photos with window light or the full spectrum light of my plant lights. These photos also edit well-- they are captured in a "raw" format. I generally edit using the built in tools, increasing exposure, contrast, and adjusting color temperature.

I recently bought the Canon R100 for student use-- this is a very nice entry-level camera with professional features, I was impressed with my test shots. Lightweight and has easy access to manual focus and manual shooting modes. Would probably be even better with a more expensive lens, but we have the 18-45 "kit" lens and it is fine.

Before you invest in more cameras, you might want to look at your lighting-- better light might make focus on you cell phone camera work better for you. Also consider upping your editing game-- there are some great free tools-- the default editor on the iphone does a pretty good job, and online options include photopea and pixlr.

qbie · #4 10-08-2024, 04:14 PM

Thanks Roberta and Dalachin.

Pls don't laugh but I finally upgraded from an iphone 6s to the 15 last year. I'd probably still have my 6s if it hadn't stopped being supported. I also found I am shooting more with the 2x too because of the depth of field it seems to create.

Thx for pointing out the lighting because focusing does seem most difficult when the background is brighter than my subject. It is difficult sometimes since I'm taking pics on a NNE facing balcony so am usually shadier than the surroundings depending on time of day and year, but I could accommodate for that before by opening the aperture. Just saw couple days ago there is an "f" setting so perhaps I am able to make similar adjustments with my "new" phone and just haven't really explored the new features or editing.

It would be a retirement dream to have an Etsy orchid photography shop!

For now I think I will keep my money in my pocket and see what my iphone 15 can really do. Wow, high-end camera or phone camera, I definitely have a lot to learn! Thank you both for your suggestions!

Dalachin · #5 10-08-2024, 06:07 PM

Not laughing. I only ever upgrade when they get me up against a wall with the upgrades. The iphone 15 has a great camera. I notice there are lots of reasonably priced LED panel and ring lights marketed for cell phone photography, I haven't tried any but something like that with good reviews might help you if your setup is in the shade. LEDs give a nice soft light that is sort of like a big open window if they are bright enough.

Diane56Victor · #6 10-08-2024, 08:00 PM

You might find your phone also has a macro setting. I'm not one for jumping into the latest phone and I've got the macro setting on my Samsung A34.

qbie · #7 10-08-2024, 08:05 PM

Oooo. Maybe I can try my old boss's selfie light! If it's still there and he didn't take it with him to his new job. I'll ask if I can use it to test before I buy. My supv actually works with the lights off and haven't seen the interim director use one. Now, just need to work a day when someone's in that office....Thx for the tip!