I have been struggling to take good digital photos of my finished models…I am going to buy a better lighting setup and considering buying a new camera to replace my fuji finepix for miniature work. Any suggestions as to what cameras are best suited to this type of work?
I use a canon DSLR, although thats quite cost prohibitive unless your using it for other stuff too.
I’d recommend one of the cheaper Nikon DSLRs. One advantage- the 18-55 mm lens that is the kit lens (the one supplied for the lens/camera combination) is great for modelers and tabletop photography. It has a very neat feature. Most macro lenses are macro only in the extreme telephoto position. That Nikon 18-55 mm is macro at all focal lengths. Shorter focal lengths are great for model photography- they make the model appear larger and more massive. The ability to take closeups at these medium focal lengths is a neat feature.
The reason for using a DSLR is to get accurate focusing. The LCD screens do not have enough resolution to really see sharp focus, and focusing is a challenge in closeup model photography.
I use a Nikon D40X, but that model is no longer made. The cheapest Nikon DSLR still uses that lens in the combo kit. Even though I have a fancy wide-range zoom for my normal photography, that 18-55 goes on when I do model photography.
I use a Canon PowerShot SD790 IS Digital Elph.
It takes portraits,close ups and video.Good for just about anything.
Thanks for all your advice guys-appreciate it!
Take a gander at this Model Photography
If you’re talking about shooting fine detail, all you need is a P&S with a macro setting. Most basic Nikons are more than sufficient for this.
For more general photography, I’d get better lighting and a tripod. Also, look for a camera with optical zoom, not digital zoom.
It’s better to stand back and zoom in, than to try and stand on top of your subject. Most professional modeling shoots (people, not plasic) are done with lenses in 300 - 500mm range because of the lens characteristics.
-Fred