Tactical Command
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Cameras
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=18328		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Kealios [ Tue May 04, 2010 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Cameras
So, the more I get into this hobby, the more I want to take pictures of my stuff. I love posting Battle Reports of (nearly) every battle I play, but my camera's flash makes everything washed out and nasty.

Granted, its an old Panasonic Lumix digital 5.0 camera, but even with standing 10 feet away and zooming in, it just doesnt cut it.

I dont have a photo tent to take "perfect" pictures of my painted minis either. I usually just put it on Macro and hope the flash doesnt wash everything out.

What do YOU use? I dont really want to spend more than $100 USD on a new camera, because a) this is only for wargaming photos and will eat into my budget for models, and b) we already have a really nice Nikon for the family.
Author:  Dave [ Tue May 04, 2010 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Most cameras purchased in the last 8-10 years should have the ability to adjust shutter speed and a macro function. Those are really all you need for decent pictures. Well that and a small (and cheap) tripod.

I use a $5 one and then just set my aperture and shutter speed manually. With it I'm able to keep the the camera steady while using a slower shutter speed, the result is better pictures in a low light setting. I suggest you try one out before you go an get a new camera. I use a 5MP Canon that's almost 4 years old and it still takes decent pictures of my minis when I use a tripod.
Author:  Evil and Chaos [ Tue May 04, 2010 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Quote:
What do YOU use?

A Nikon D-80 with either a zoom or Macro lens depending on the subject to be photographed... somewhat out of your budget though!
Author:  Dobbsy [ Wed May 05, 2010 12:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Instead of flash lighting try and get a 3-lamp lighting rig and use daylight bulbs. Point two lamps at the mini from a 45 degree angle from either side-front, and have one lamp pointing down from overhead. This should light your mini well enough.

If you're like me and you're camera is just ok it's better to have it on a tripod and set it a fair way back then zoom in on Macro setting (the little flower usually). All cameras usually have a different focal length (this is the distance of what will be in focus from front to back) so play around with distances and see what works best with your camera.
Author:  Kealios [ Wed May 05, 2010 2:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Evil and Chaos wrote:
A Nikon D-80 with either a zoom or Macro lens depending on the subject to be photographed... somewhat out of your budget though!


That is my Option B - the D80 is the nice family camera we have :)

OK, so Im most concerned with action pics of games in progress. I was thinking of buying some kind of overhead lighting system and taking the flash off when doing my shots, but that might be overkill. Maybe cheaper than a new camera!

Take, for example, the last BatRep I posted, where I couldnt even see the Sentinels who were primed white and standing on my road. The flash, even from 6 feet out, just washed everything out. THATS what I want to avoid.
Author:  Dobbsy [ Wed May 05, 2010 5:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Yep cheap basic lamps bought from Walmart etc or the like with daylight bulbs will reduce if not alleviate that to a large degree. A tripod will remove hand shake when you take distance shots.
Author:  Evil and Chaos [ Wed May 05, 2010 8:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Quote:
That is my Option B - the D80 is the nice family camera we have

So why not just use the D-80?
Author:  Dave [ Wed May 05, 2010 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Kealios wrote:
Evil and Chaos wrote:
Take, for example, the last BatRep I posted, where I couldnt even see the Sentinels who were primed white and standing on my road. The flash, even from 6 feet out, just washed everything out. THATS what I want to avoid.


Get a tripod, slow the shutter speed down and turn off the flash.
Author:  Evil and Chaos [ Wed May 05, 2010 2:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
That's good advice.
Author:  Kealios [ Wed May 05, 2010 10:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Evil and Chaos wrote:
Quote:
That is my Option B - the D80 is the nice family camera we have

So why not just use the D-80?


Wrestling it away from the wife isnt gunna happen :) Besides, I travel sometimes and the smaller camera is more mobile.

I will look into slowing it down.
Author:  Ginger [ Thu May 06, 2010 2:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cameras
Kealios wrote:
Evil and Chaos wrote:
A Nikon D-80 with either a zoom or Macro lens depending on the subject to be photographed... somewhat out of your budget though!


That is my Option B - the D80 is the nice family camera we have :)

OK, so Im most concerned with action pics of games in progress. I was thinking of buying some kind of overhead lighting system and taking the flash off when doing my shots, but that might be overkill. Maybe cheaper than a new camera!

Take, for example, the last BatRep I posted, where I couldnt even see the Sentinels who were primed white and standing on my road. The flash, even from 6 feet out, just washed everything out. THATS what I want to avoid.

The main problem you have is that the volume of light from the flash disipates according to the 'inverse square' rule - basically it is very bright close up, and rapidly gets dark further away. So you need to get the whole area lit evenly. You could try bouncing the flash off the ceiling (needs a cable and hot-shoe accessory - which may not work with pocket digitals) or if you need to keep the camera close, try diffusing the flash by covering it with some tissue. If you are going to record a game, as others suggest a mini tripod would be sensible so you can speed up setting up (check out the gorilla tripod).
Final thought is that you do not need a huge amount of light, so you could get a friend to hold a flashlight from some distance (to create 'natural' shadows), while switching off the camera flash.

Or as others have said, you could get daylight bulbs, fiddle with lenses, shutter speeds, filters and exposures (or the internal camera settings etc) and get really 'professional' about the whole thing. :)
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