Re: paleonet Digital Cameras

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Date
Mike and others,

First, this might sound like an advertisement for the Olympus C3030-Z
(mentioned by Jack Penkethman). It's not; I'm just a satisfied user of this
3-megapixel (2048x1536) camera. You don't say what "reasonably priced"
means. The C3030-Z is currently around $800 or less if you shop around.

For problems with autofocus, this camera (and some others) has a manual
focus mode. If you don't like the way autofocus works, select a model that
gives manual focus control. Generally you have to use the LCD display to use
manual focus.

For the flash overexposing close-up photos, there are at least 4 solutions:

1) Turn the autoflash off and use a tripod to get a long exposure. If the
camera has a mode that allows setting the aperature, set it to a higher
number (like f/16) to increase your depth of field.

2) Use a diffuser over the flash. I've used white card stock and a piece of
scotch tape.

3) Again with a tripod, back up and use the zoom to frame the picture.

4) Use the extension flash, but don't point the flash at the specimen, point
it upward and take advantage of the diffuse, indirect lighting.

The advantage to a digital camera, is you can take as many photos as you
wish using different lighting, framing, and focusing options. Keep a journal
of what you did for each exposure. Then download all of the pictures. Some
will be better and you'll keep those. Delete the rest.

My recommendation for selecting a digital camera would be:
1. Get the highest resolution (the most mega-pixels) your budget will allow.
2. Get the most functions you can: auto and manual focus, optical zoom,
program (point and shoot, automatic) mode, the ability to select aperature
or shutter priority, automatic bracketing.

Then, get familiar with the camera and its features. With digital
photography, you can practice to your heart's content. You can afford to be
like a professional: take 50 photos of one thing and choose the best one.
Remember, for every photo you see in National Geographic, the photographer
has literally shot rolls of film. You don't have to wait for processing.
What you don't like, delete. In fact, with any digital camera, you get some
sort of image processing software and you can control the brightness,
contrast, color balance, sharpness, and many other features of the final
picture. The Olympus C3030-Z comes with two: Camedia (Olympus' camera
interface and image processing) and Photoshop LE (limited edition of
standard Photoshop).

Hope this helps.

Brandon C. Nuttall

BNUTTALL@KGS.MM.UKY.EDU  Kentucky Geological Survey
(859) 257-5500           University of Kentucky
(859) 257-1147 (fax)     228 Mining & Mineral Resources Bldg
                         Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0107
www.uky.edu/KGS/home.htm
www.uky.edu/KGS/PTTC/home.htm