What webcam/camera is good for set photographs

[Galaxyconquest01]

Hi im just wondring what is the best phototaker for taking pictures of MOCs/sets? my laptop has a built in webcam, but its only for face to face talk use. Any help/links would be great

[Superkalle]

Moving this to our LEGO General forum

[rriggs]

Webcams are not ideal as the resolution and the focus aren't great and close up shots will tend to be poor. I use a cheap bog standard digi cam (normally set to 2m pixels) and have not had a problem.

Pretty much any digital camera will do the job but make sure than you have one with macro function (normally a flower symbol) as this will help with close up/detail shots. Most have this function.

A tripod or stand will help a lot too. I bought a four inch desktop tripod for £1 and it makes taking decent quality shots so muchbeasier.

Lastly, don't forget about lighting. You may need to play around to get this just right - house lights tend to be a bit yellow, sun is good but not always in the right place at the right time and some camera flashes reflect on LEGO. Try it a few different ways and see what works. Don't start spending on different lighting until you've done some testing as you may not need it.

Cheers

Rog

[Brickdoctor]

As a general rule, any built-in camera isn't going to cut it for pictures of pretty much anything. While I've never tried and would imagine that you can get a good shot with enough light in the right places, I'd get at least a point-and-shoot camera to take pictures of LEGO. Given good lighting, you can probably make any decent point-and-shoot work. A good, not built-in webcam or a good phone camera can get some good results, though.

[jonwil]

You want a camera with a good macro mode.

A webcam or cellphone camera won't do it, you need a proper digital camera.

[Darth Dino]

Hi

there is one big spellword that explains most of photography's issues:

Amateurs worry about equipment (camera), professionals worry about money (for their work) and masters worry about light (that is making the picture).

As you see Brickdoctor mentioned the light as highly important... ;)

I would like to say thar most comsumer cameras that have a manual mode (to close the aperature and to do good whitebalancing) are able to do good macros of Lego IF you have a good light situation. Difuse light that is comming from everywhere is necessary. Imagine you have a small kind of "tent" made from white paper or tissue then every direct roomlight or flash will

be now straylight with very soft shadows. The Lego have to be placed within the tent. Prevent direct light with hard shadows and refecting highlights.

Dino

Edited March 9, 2012 by Darth Dino

[Galaxyconquest01]

To all, thanks for all the great tips/responses. Now I know what to get to use on reviews and ect...