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"Digital camera choices for photographing games in progress?" Topic


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oabee5106 Aug 2016 11:22 a.m. PST

Background: I was a professional photographer for 11 years and know a heck of a lot about DSLRs. When I give games at conventions, however, I don't want to haul a DSLR around to take photos for the AARs that I post. I have relied on my phone, which does a good job, but I thought a small digital camera with a tilt LCD would be handy for getting that great minis-eye-view perspective. I bought a Canon PowerShot N and used it at a Pulp Alley game I did at MichiCon 2016, but its focus at short range is rather hit-or-miss, and with the small LCD and the demands on my time as GM, I don't always notice the out-of-focus pics until I get home.

Has anyone had success with a specific digital camera for this type of photography that they could recommend?

I guess in the meantime I'll go back to using my phone.

Mike

Mako1106 Aug 2016 11:53 a.m. PST

Does it have a macro mode?

My Canon 650 or 750 – can't recall which, does, and it works well. Has a short focal length, and 10X optical zoom too.

It's probably almost ten years old now, so I'm sure the tech is far better now.

The LCD on it is rather small.

dwight shrute06 Aug 2016 12:02 p.m. PST

My Daughters Iphone 6 gives the best pics I've ever seen .

razuse06 Aug 2016 12:21 p.m. PST

My S6 Samsung phone is amazing!

The G Dog Fezian06 Aug 2016 1:51 p.m. PST

Another endorsement of the iPhone 6. Good enough that I've had imaged captured with it published in magazines.

Personal logo David Manley Supporting Member of TMP06 Aug 2016 2:08 p.m. PST

Samsung S6 gives me excellent results when taking tabletop shots

Combat Colours06 Aug 2016 2:25 p.m. PST

Another vote for the Samsung S6!

VVV reply06 Aug 2016 2:57 p.m. PST

I use a Cannon Ixus 100IS. Works very well in indoor light.

oabee5106 Aug 2016 3:03 p.m. PST

My Samsung Note 3 is my go-to for tabletop shots right now, and does a good job with NO focus problems.

Due for a contract renewal in two weeks and am considering my options, staying with Samsung: S6, S7, Note 5, Note 7?!?

Personal logo Nashville Supporting Member of TMP07 Aug 2016 6:17 a.m. PST

Team. It is not the camera or the lens. It is the amount of light you can bring to bear on the subject. More light: better picture. The photos I took at Nashcon
TMP link
are a function of a vertical bounce beam flash which removes the shadows and allow the camera not to need to compensate by degrading picture quality not to mention the all important depth of field. These were taken with a Nikon full frame DSLR but I have gotten some great results with a camera phone camera. Just get as much light as you can.

Oberlindes Sol LIC Supporting Member of TMP07 Aug 2016 10:50 a.m. PST

How big is the vertical bounce beam rig?

jwebster08 Aug 2016 9:09 a.m. PST

@oabee51

I hear you on out of focus. Now that I need reading glasses, the camera LCD is too small to see without the reading glasses

In the case of my Canon s100, the LCD has nowhere near the resolution of the sensor so never any idea on focus

Perhaps a tablet would be easiest to check focus with ?

Of course what you really want is a tilt/shift lens :)

@Nashville

Are you talking about flash on camera with Lumiquest type reflector or something else ? Nice pictures

John

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