Question on cameras, and a couple pics..

[Nivek]

Hey, I actually have a question about cameras for you guys. I have a sony cyber-shot, and I am having a problem with the flash function. If I get close enough to a sling/spider/etc. to take a nice up close shot, the flash can't make it over the lens area so I have a big shadow. Is there any possible way to remedy this? Accessory, etc.? I love the camera, and I can't afford an SLR unfortunately, lol. ANY advice would be awesome...

And since this IS the picture forum...

My P. cancerides

C. elegans sling

A. versicolor and an example of the shade...

 

[Talkenlate04]

There is not much you are going to be able to do.
You pretty much have hit the limit of what you can do with a point and shoot camera. I know that sucks, but they are just not really built to get down to the macro level.

 

[Nivek]

About how much do you think it will run me to get a good priced camera that really has the macro? I'd have to go SLR right? So about 500 on the low side?

 

[Talkenlate04]

Well if you want an SLR yes about that. You can go lower and still get a camera that will get some killer zoom but not that much lower. I suggest doing some research. Because a lot of photography is personal preference/ goals/.

Like for instance, when I bought my camera my goal was to have a good camera to learn on, while not having to buy a replacement for a long, long time. And I needed something with good macro.

There are just so many options when it comes to photography, and most of those choices can only be made by the buyer. So research ,research, research!


One more thing, lol it never stops at just buying the body and a lens. Then comes the flashes, and other lenses lol it never ends!

 

[Nivek]

Yeah...that was my plan with my camera. I love the camera, but the flash hurts it. I thought "I can buy a flash accessory or something later on.:wall:

 

[metallica]

go to your local photo store and ask for a basic slave flash.

more on slave flash here:

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Using-a-slave-flash-to-improve-your-photos

 

[Alakdan]

Or get a macro light. It is a ring light that goes around your lense.

Here's one from Sony.
http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=305&item=L26981

 

[crazy4tat2s]

I use additional lighting, such as flood lights that way you can do away with the flash all together and get as close as your camera will allow.

 

[billopelma]

Many of the compact digitals have non extending len's, this way it never blocks the flash. There are camera's with a one or two centimeter focus distance for under $200. If you look at my photo thread, all of that was done with $125-$210 camera's, most using just the built in standard flash.

Bill

 

[Nivek]

Or get a macro light. It is a ring light that goes around your lense.

Here's one from Sony.
http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=305&item=L26981

Just what I was hoping for! I'll be ordering one of those next paycheck hehehe.

 

[Drachenjager]

the flash on the camera is virtually useless anyway even on a 3000+ dollar Nikon DSLR. you need to just turn flash off, and use external lighting or like someone else said use a slave flash and let your camera flash trigger the slave.

 

[Nivek]

the flash on the camera is virtually useless anyway even on a 3000+ dollar Nikon DSLR. you need to just turn flash off, and use external lighting or like someone else said use a slave flash and let your camera flash trigger the slave.

So do you think a slave flash would work better than the macro ring light?

 

[metallica]

i know it is a far cheaper solution. also does his camera even have a hot shoe?

 

[Tunedbeat]

Flash rings are bad, get a slave flash, if your camera doesn't have a hot shoe get a flash trigger. Basically, it will be a wireless flash which you can set anywhere/way you want. Or, you can go the cheap route and make a flash diffuser, search google.
What model is your cyber-shot?

 

[Nivek]

Flash rings are bad, get a slave flash, if your camera doesn't have a hot shoe get a flash trigger. Basically, it will be a wireless flash which you can set anywhere/way you want. Or, you can go the cheap route and make a flash diffuser, search google.
What model is your cyber-shot?

dsc-h9. So slave flashes are the way to go then?

 

[4tec84]

dsc-h9. So slave flashes are the way to go then?

Well, it looks like your model doesn't have a hot shoe. So, slave flash + flash trigger would be best. Another option would be a macro lens, they should give you enough working distance for the on-board flash.

Oh, how's that 15x zoom?

 

[Tunedbeat]

Looks like 4tec has it all covered.

 

[Talkenlate04]

Flash rings are bad, get a slave flash, if your camera doesn't have a hot shoe get a flash trigger. Basically, it will be a wireless flash which you can set anywhere/way you want. Or, you can go the cheap route and make a flash diffuser, search google.
What model is your cyber-shot?

Where did you get this idea? I use a bracket/ring flash on my Nikon and I am doing ok I think. And on this ring flash the flashes detach and can be mounted on stands separately for positioning from any angle. I have found it very useful.


Speaking of slave flashes..... I might have one that will talk to your camera, If I can do some research to make sure it will work if you just pay shipping you can have it. I don't have a need for it anymore.

 

[Tunedbeat]

Where did you get this idea? I use a bracket/ring flash on my Nikon and I am doing ok I think. And on this ring flash the flashes detach and can be mounted on stands separately for positioning from any angle. I have found it very useful.


Speaking of slave flashes..... I might have one that will talk to your camera, If I can do some research to make sure it will work if you just pay shipping you can have it. I don't have a need for it anymore.

Well, they are not actually bad, it would mainly depend on what you plan on shooting. Though, i really don't like the ring reflection they leave on shiny objects. I guess, if your main subject is Ts then I'm sure it would work just fine.

 

[Talkenlate04]

Well, they are not actually bad, it would mainly depend on what you plan on shooting. Though, i really don't like the ring reflection they leave on shiny objects. I guess, if your main subject is Ts then I'm sure it would work just fine.

Ahh ok, ya I would agree with other types of photography a ring flash might not be the way to go. Macro is the only reason you would really want to invest the money in a ring flash, which is what I thought he wanted to do.