Help taking pics

R

RAG

New member
Alright. I can't take it any more. I need a good digi, as my camera phone just doesn't cut it.



The biggest problem I've been having with taking pictures (I've even tried my mom's little digital yesterday) is that I have a heck of a time getting swirls to show up properly - I can have a completely hammered black vehicled, take some pictures in full sun or under halogens, but the problem is the pictures don't reveal the swirls to be 1/2 as bad as they are in person. And probably 2 or 3 times per month I get a vehicle in with nastly halograms from the dealership or bodyshop...and same thing, I can't seem to capture them (at least not with my razor cell camera).



How are yall getting swirls to show up properly? Any specific camera recommendations (I'll be buying one shortly)? What about camera settings, like white balance or brightness?



Thanks.
 
Ryan, I use a Canon Digital Rebel on full auto. To get the camera to focus on the paint I put my finger on/up to the paint so that it has a good focal point. You're just not going to get good results with a camera phone.
 
SpoiledMan said:
Ryan, I use a Canon Digital Rebel on full auto. To get the camera to focus on the paint I put my finger on/up to the paint so that it has a good focal point. You're just not going to get good results with a camera phone.
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I'm sure you're right - I've done some nasty nasty cars, taken pictures, and the cars really don't look that bad. I'll look into the Canon Rebel.
 
I use a Sony DSC-N1 and I have great results.



Normally the Auto setting is fine but if I need to make adjustments to the lighting and what not, I just go into the settings and change them.
 
make sure the camera you get ryan has a macro close up feature....lets you take pics from inches away instead of a foot away....and they come out clear...my camera, Nikon S1, wouldnt take the photo from 2 inches away without the macro (flower symbol) turned on....
 
I use the Rebel XT as well. I dont have any problems at all showing swirls ;)



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I have the canon SD400, I think the 450/500 is available now though (400 has been discontinued). It's the size of a credit card, takes awesome pictures in auto, and has advanced features should you decide to use them later. I paid $250 for mine a year ago, I would buy another one today without even looking at other cameras. Canon has been really good for me.



All I do is park the car in full sun, take oicture of sun reflectiong off of paint. IMO, a photo can never really tell just how bad the paint is--it's *always* worse in person.
 
Shooting good photos is all about technique. If you have a decent camera with macro capabilities you should be able to capture the swirles no problem as long as there is enough light. Two good rules of thumb, go with a major camera company (ie Canon, Nikon, etc). You may save a few bucks going with someone else but support and accessories will be more trouble. Second, the bigger the lens opening, the more light, the better picture (without getting too technical). Comparing camera to camera, its all in the optics.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ebpcivicsi

"You mean that's why my black car looks gray? They told me all clear coats looked like that."

SpoiledMan said:
How many times have we heard that?????
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Mine looks brown. :(
 
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