DAC Mini Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 I am looking into buying a new Digital Camera. 99% of my photography will be geared to close up miniatures shots or table top dioramas to be posted on the web. Is there a visible difference between 2MP, 3MP or 4MP .jpgs? Happy New Year DAC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kheprera Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 The higher the mps, the better your resolution, if I'm not mistaken (I'm still learning about digitals myself). At least, I've always heard to go with the higher megapixel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAC Mini Posted January 4, 2003 Author Share Posted January 4, 2003 Thanks for the reply,... My problem is when I ask a sales person about the differences they just want to sell the most expensive camera (duh, comission). And they do not want to take the time out to let me photograph a miniature in the store. So far, my on-line research indicates that there is little difference in viewing the .jpgs on-line, but there is a big difference in printing them out to hard copy. DAC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReaperIvy Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 Thanks for the reply,... My problem is when I ask a sales person about the differences they just want to sell the most expensive camera (duh, comission). And they do not want to take the time out to let me photograph a miniature in the store. So far, my on-line research indicates that there is little difference in viewing the .jpgs on-line, but there is a big difference in printing them out to hard copy. DAC Pop over to the camera investments thread for my answer to lstormhammer about shooting minis digitally. I have a very nice process down with the camera we use in the Reaper art dept, the Olympus Camedia C-3000, which is a 3.3 mpx. I shoot with ambient office light (flourescent), flash off, in macro (shooting close) mode. My color correction involves compensating for a yellow cast by adding a little blue to the highlight, midtone, and shadow ranges. (Very simple in photoshop, takes about 30 seconds), and adjusting the levels to my taste. For an example of the product of this process, check out figure 2662 in the Dark Heaven Legends gallery on the reapermini.com website. The guy who painted the figure for Ron said that the picture captured the colors of the figure perfectly. If i was going to pick up a new camera TODAY, I'd probably pick up the Olympus Camedia C-4000, a 4 mpx camera. Beyond the higher resolution, it features super-macro mode, enabling you to shoot an object from an inch away. (Their example is a dewdrop on a petal, if that helps with your thoughts on shooting minis). I've seen the C-4000 online for as low as $317, but between $350-$400 would not be a bad price to pay for this camera either. Amazon.com has it listed for $499. As for the difference... You have far more flexibility in the eventual useage of your pictures shooting at a higher resolution. Shooting in the high range of your camera's resolution capabilities allows you the ability to print (or have a camera shop do so... many are starting to print people's digital pictures for them, on photopaper, etc. I believe that Ofoto.com was started by Kodak for that same purpose). Think of it this way. You can always make the picture smaller, but it is VERY difficult/impossible to make a small picture larger without quality suffering greatly for it. 4 mpx is current technology and isn't a bad direction to go if you can afford it. Thankfully the difference between a 4mpx camera and a 3 mpx camera isn't that much, compared to when these cameras were hot new technology. I paid $499 for my first digital camera (Sony Mavica FD-73), just 3 years ago, and it's highest resolution was only 640x480. My best advice is when you find a camera you like *shop around* for a price you like as well. They can be found. :-) ReaperIvy (shoots minis for a living) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Snack Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 My problem is when I ask a sales person about the differences they just want to sell the most expensive camera (duh, comission). And they do not want to take the time out to let me photograph a miniature in the store. Not to sound terse, but find another store. If they won't take the time to let you test out a camera (especially a digital camera with negligible film costs involved) find one that will. This may be easier for me to say though, living in the shadow of Kodak there are quite a few small local shops around me (LCS?). Web pics usually optimize at 72 dpi, but if you have a digital camera you will eventually want to use it for more than just posting pics on the web (speaking from experience) so I would go with the best you can justify spending. Note that technology will undoubtably improve and you will want to upgrade at some point. The level of what you will be using it for currently may not lead you to buy top of the line at this time but think about how much you will spend on an upgrade when the time comes (it may be justifiable to buy a better camera at a later time, just making you aware). The better the camera the more expensive it will be (most of the time), so make them earn their comission... Or buy cheaper on the web after they show you all your options. ReaperIvy, can I make the same adjustments in the "lite" version of Photoshop? I've never really had much luck in adjusting my digital pics beyond cropping, sizing, and a simple touch up. I really wish I could find the manual for my digital (a 1.2 mpxl Kodak DC-120 from before some marketing genius came up with the "megapixel" tag, sadly now orphaned by the big yellow box). Well, I also have a "disposable" US$10 (that is NOT missing a 0) one that I would never use for anything important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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