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K, we use quite a few different cameras. If you're looking for simplicity, I have two suggestions. Nikon pocket cameras have surprisingly great macro capabilities for what looks like a tourist camera. I've owned an S600 for a few years and use it as my back-up. The best point & shoot in many forum member's opinions are the G series from Canon. I have a G9 that's fantastic. You can use it completely manual or totally automatic. The only weak point to the line is the onboard flash - which is never used in macro shots of watches because of reflection.

 

Well, get it back from her once in a while!

The G series has good image stabilization, but a tripod helps. Lots of indirect natural sunlight is the best source.

Couldn't tell you because once I bought mine I was done looking at p & s cameras. No need to bother anymore. I suppose a question to Nikon, or on a photography forum, would find you the answer.

 

I started photography back in the film days and had a Pentax MZ50. Made the move to digital a bit late and went to Canon. I used a 20D for quite a few years before moving to a 5D. The 20D is still my backup camera. I also spent the money and invested in fast glass. All my lenses with the exception of one, sigma 50-500mm, are f2.8. Means I can push the boundaries a bit when it comes to low light shooting, especially with the high ISO performance of modern cameras.
You can see more of my work at
www.paulwheeler.com.au
Copy anything you like for wallpapers etc, I don't mind.

 

Thank you K for your kind words, although you are certainly not talking about any of my photos for sure! Photographing watches is particularly difficult I find (all those reflective surfaces) and although I have had good results with Panasonic/Leica lensed cameras in the past my current TZ8 isn't doing it. Particularly poor when using the zoom and the macro isn't brilliant either.

 

Knew I saw window mullions in the watch crystal reflection. Ha
Y`our pics do have a neat detailed starkness to them and
the natural lighting enhances the vintage qualities

 

All I wanted was Great Macro and a cheap price. Something I could
use on vacation also. Downloaded some great watch pics I
saw on forums and looked at what they were being shot with.
Nikon S8200 Coolpix hit the nail. That's what I use. In camera
blow-up(even of macros) and crop and save

 

Many thanks for the tip. I have tried similar but I find being next to a window creates more reflections not less! I have had my best results (which are not great!) in a white tent/box in sunlight or using plain A4 paper as a light diffuser.

 

Yeah, no IS, the inability to change lenses and the lack of a viewfinder kinda ruin it for me. Staying within the brand, NEX 6 looks to be a better bet. You can change lenses which means you have the full suite of Sony lenses to play with. Yeah, still no real viewfinder (its a small digital screen inside an eyecup) but I guess you need to head for DSLR territory to get one.

 

I know its not in the same league, but does anyone have any experience with the Nikon J1 with interchangeable lenses?

 

Agreed. Anything that small and FF would be good fun. I'd just like to use the FF sensor with say a 70-200mm F2.8. Granted the camera would look ridiculous attached to it but you mount the lens to a tripod anyway, not the camera.

 

From reading the spec data, you can pump the ISO up to redonkulus levels so I guess IS doesnt come into play that much. Given the way modern cameras handle light, you'd have to punch past 6400ISO before you saw much grain. That's one of the great advantages of cameras like the Canon 5D MK 3. Yes you have IS on a lot of the Canon L series lenses and most of those are fast glass. Add great ISO levels like 102,400 and you can shoot in really low light situations.