[uksqueezea]

I have a Sony mega-pixel 3.2 that cant get any closer than this!

Now, with the older 1.3 mega-pixel I can move in close enough to just about take photos of the hair in herr Schumachers nostril's??
This camera is worthless.. if you ask a camera shop dude.

Can someone please explain this to me. I gotta be missing something right in front of me!

 

[McLaren]

Don't know how much you know about digital camera's so I hope I don't offend, but have you tried switching the camera to "Macro Mode". This focus' the camera for shorter distances and you should get even better results.

This is of course assuming that the camera has a macro function, and that you aren't already using it.

Hope this helps

Mclaren

 

[Doug]

It's not the number of pixels that matter, it's the ability for the camera to focus onto objects that are close (macro mode).

Some cameras (and lenses) have good macro abilities, some don't.

 

[uksqueezea]

OK two things so far.

McLaren is right about the Macro. Its on, but I'm thinking it hasn't been able to focus on what the cross hairs are looking at in Macro mode. Like a gun its aim is slightly off.

Like Nuro said,QUOTE Some cameras (and lenses) have good macro abilities, some don't
This new camera might be new but this is the best quality shot I could get off without it getting a little dotty.

As you can see, nowhere near as big as the old camera can do and retain clarity.

So , maybe its the lense??

 

[Jimster71]

What are the model numbers of the two cameras? It's worth looking at the relative camera specs to see what the minimum focusing distance is stated as.

The minimum macro distance is dependent on the optics of the camera, which obviously varies between makes/models.

You are probably able to get an adaptor for accessory lenses for the camera, enabling you to get better macro shots with close-up lenses.

 

[uksqueezea]

Ok
Sony Cybershot DSC-P8 is the one thats giving me grief. Actually it takes a very good shot, I'd just like it to probe in further. I just think if its newer I could expect better. (Hey, it works with women.)

Technical details of the new camera.. says about 4 inches from lens surface for close up.

Just thought I'd show you this as well
Again.. the old camera. The rear badge on the Torino.
About 7mm long and 1.5 mm high. Fantastic, you just set macro, aim and shoot.

Wouldn't even attempt this with the new one.

Got to be something here.

 

[Jimster71]

Are you using full zoom?

Often, this will increase the distance that you have to be away from the subject, but can yield a closer image.

 

[MK2-Escort]

Did a search for your camera and found this:

QUOTE Macro Focus Distance: 3.9" (10 cm)

There's your answer

When I was looking for my Camera, macro was the most important feature for me, so I decided to go with the Nikon Coolpix. Macro distance = 4cm

 

[astro]

the macro magnification is actually more inportant than the focus distance - ie 1:1 or 4:1 magnification, when you look for conventional cameras and lenses. The reason is that the magnification/size of the closeup at say 4mm will be different if the camera is set to wide angle than if it is set to telephoto - and usually it will only do macro at one of these extremes (saddly usually wide angle!)

So the close-upness of the camera depends on the focusing distance in macro mode, and how wide the angle is in that mode.

By the way - fabulous close-ups with your old camera, what make and model is it?

 

[Jimster71]

Are your shots from the new camera just resized or cropped too?

For example, how would a 640x480 crop from a full size image look in comparison to the same from your old camera?

 

[uksqueezea]

Thanks for the options boys.

stay tuned, we'll try all of those suggestions and see what happens.

 

[uksqueezea]

new camera

old camera

both shots taken exactly 8 inches/200 mm away from subject using car (4) number as focal point.
No cropping, only resized 640 by 480... (or whatever it is)

 

[Jimster71]

Looks like the wide-angle on the new camera is a shorter focal length than on the old camera, shown by the wider field of view in the top picture.

 

[astro]

If the main point of the image is for the internet - note that a 640x480 image has 0.3 mega-pixels! Once the image has been jpeg'd etc, even less resolution may be present!

I would stick to your old camera for pictures intended for the interent, you only get the benefits of the extra mega-pix if you are printing the results

 

[uksqueezea]

Thanks guys.

Astro, I think your right, for pure ease of shot, the oldie's a goodie.
Old camera

..I also was able to piece together a solution for close ups with the new camera's menu from the little bits of input from everyone here, so thanks boys.

New camera

Reckon this is close enough.
Again my thanks to everyone here.

 

[abie321]

Guys

showing my real ignorance now - my camera has an optical zoom and a digital zoom ....

Can work the optical zoom but how do I work the digital zoom? (instruction manual did not emerge when we unpacked from our move from Europe)

Camera is an Olympus Camedia......

 

[Jimster71]

A lot of digital cameras have an option to go into digital zoom, once the extent of optical zoom is reached. A delve around in the options menu may uncover it.

Digital zoom is equivalent to you manually cropping and resizing the centre of the image at full optical zoom, which is basically what the camera does internally.

The quility of the image will degrade with each step of digital zoom you apply, so it is generally best avoided.

Stick to optical zoom and do any resizing/cropping in some photo editing software.

 

[goldfish_samurai]

The digital zoom function is switched off by default. It needs to be accessed through the setup menu.

Press the ok, button on the back of the camera then select Mode Menu.

there you will see an option for digital zoom.

 

[abie321]

Jimster Goldfish - thanks guys!!!!!!!!