Miniatures Photography

[bonobo62]

I\'ve been painting miniatures for a number of years, but I\'ve always had someone else take care of the photography end of things. The ol\' scanner just isn\'t cutting it for quality pictures these days, and I\'m looking into buying a camera.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Are digital cameras the preferred way to go nowadays, or can decent results still be obtained with the old film-mongers? What should I look for in buying a camera?

 

[Chern Ann]

Try my site:
http://www.littlebrush.com/Photoguide/index.htm

 

[bonobo62]

Chern Ann:

Thanks! Judging from the photos on your site, the S20 takes some damn fine pictures. I checked out eCost (thanks for recommending them on your site), and I can get one for around 500 bucks.

(Now, what do I have to paint that I can sell for 500 bucks?)

 

[doust]

I have used many different digital cameras, including the Sony Maverica amd the Nikon 990/995. Have to say, if you are looking for a good camera, the Nikon Coolpix 990/995 or even an earlier version. You can probably get one for $500-600, not sure what your budget is. But I can assure you, if you get the Nikon, you can even use that as your \"normal\" camera...

If you need more info, just do a google search for nikon Coolpix 990 or 995...

Hope that helps.

DoubleD

 

[slappingpaint]

Hi

I use the Nikon coolpix 995. excellant camera, I must say. For that, I sold and painted quite a bit, and I\'m selling my old kodak dc210 to help close the gap in the bill.

Dirk Stiller uses the same camera (id here brushguy) and he does a much better job than I with it. he has some pictures and write up on his site on how to take pictures.
http://www.theminiaturegallery.de/
there is a link on the left to it, after you enter his site.

if you want to see what I\'ve done with the camera, go to
http://slappingpaint.net
and look at the newer entries.

just some thoughts for ya
Craig
aka slappingpaint

 

[KingM]

Cameras

If you get a digital camera, buy a decent one. My one came free with my computer and is AWFUL. It does no justice to my models at all. Check out my pictures and you can see the horrors a bad digital camera can produce.

 

[Thri-Keen Priest]

The Ever-Changing World of Technology

Is the Nikon still the best bet, or has something new hit the market that tops it? I feel this is a thread that needs to be kept ongoing...

 

[McCragge]

I agree, the scanning bed just isn\'t cutting it. IF you look on the site, nothing above a 8.5 rating was laid on the scanner they all had professional looking pictures taken. I can\'t help but wonder how many other miniatures would get higher ratings if they had decent cameras.

That is why I am looking into getting one myself and will be following this topic with some interest.

McCragge

 

[Shroud]

Nikon Coolpix 995 is the best camera you can get to photograph your minis with IMO. Nope, I dont have one yet

 

[Brushguy]

Well,I wouldn\'t go so far and say the Coolpix 995 is the best choice for taking photos of your miniatures, but amongst Digital Cameras of this price range it is sure one of the more able.
Most of the Photos on my site are made with my \"analog\" Minolta Dynax 800 SLR and it does a pretty good job there. I am only starting to put up images made with my Coolpix, but what I can allready say is that with the white balancing function of the Coolpix, my miniatures are displayed much better and much more true to their original colors then with my Dynax SLR (that is mostly a lighting issue, of course).
On the other hand my Dynax and the
SIGMA 50mm Macro Lens I have for it, have a much deeper range of focus to work with.

But that seems only a minor issue, taken all the advantages an appropriate digital camera, like the Coolpix in this case, provides. It is quick, makes very nice photos (if you have the propper lighting) and saves you a lot of time and money.

And it\'s price is dropping almost every week. (grrr....)

Cheers
Dirk, aka Brushguy
www.theminiaturegallery.de

 

[Lowrianne]

My digital camera takes good pictures IF the lighting is right. I am trying various types of lighting and so far haven\'t found anything at home that give good enough lighting so I don\'t have to use the flash. Outdoor photos work better, but it\'s been overcast and raining a lot when I need to take the picture. *sigh*

 

[Brushguy]

Hey Lowrianne, check out my site. I have a section about how I take photos and a description of some very nice lighting for that purpose.

Cheers
Dirk aka Brushguy
www.theminiaturegallery.de

 

[Errex]

I use a HP Photosmart 215, and it works very well, once proper lighting is achieved. What I like the most is the photo editing software that comes with it.