File :-(, x, )
Advice needed! Anonymous
I am looking for a new digital camera for my business. Here are my requirements:

1) I am not a pro photographer and I have no experience with SLRs, so I need something easy to use. P&S would probably be best.

2) 70% of my photography will be MACRO. I need to take up-close photos of mechanical objects & parts.

3) The balance of the photography will be fairly close. Perhaps 20% of it within 2 feet, and 10% at about 5 feet.

4) Weight of the camera, battery life, etc, is NOT a concern as I will be shooting in my office 99% of the time.

Budget: $600, though I am flexible. If there is a good reason to spend more, then I am willing to consider it.

...any info would be helpful!
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot Pro1Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2004:11:25 20:25:14Exposure Time1/40 secF-Numberf/2.8Lens Aperturef/2.8Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length12.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width3264Image Height2448RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardImage Number125-2593
>> ­
just look for canons newest version of the Powershot... wouldnt be over $300, its something like 10MP. this doesnt sound like something you need to be spending $600 on....
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
Canon PowerShot S3IS or S5IS. Has a 0cm (that's right, 0cm) SuperMacro mode where you can literally take a picture of something pressed up against the lens barrel.
>> Anonymous
>>67386

I'll look at that.

Any suggestions on companion equipment?

My current camera is a Sony DSC S85 with a ring flash. The ring flash was a fantastic addition. I'm assuming I can get one for the Canon?
>> Anonymous
>>67394
Not for the S3. It doesn't have a hotshoe to attach a ringflash to. The S5 does.

One option for the S3, though, would be to order a filter adapter and get one of these:

http://www.adorama.com/FARL1200.html

The S3 is cheaper than the S5. If your current flash doesn't work on the S5, then that set-up will probably be cheaper.
>> Anonymous
>>67396

It probably won't. My current one doesn't use a hot shoe, it's a Sony-specific one that plugs into a jack on the side of the camera.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>67528
Sure it's sony-specific? What model flash is it?
>> Anonymous
I don't recall the model number. I'll post it later.

It's a Sony brand ring flash. It doesn't mount to a shoe at all. It has a cable on it which has a small plug (resembles a 1/8" stereo plug as on headphones or PC speakers) which plugs into a jack on the side of the camera.