The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Looking for some assistance from the photography experts......

I am currently borrowing my wife's 7 year old Nikon D100 for my watch shots, it does a good job and is more than a match for my skills, but I am now looking for something that's a little more convenient to use. I'm really looking for a camera that will serve two main purposes:

1) I can use it to document my watchmaking practice - photos of the movement (or parts of the movement) before I take it apart so that I have a record of some of the more unusual ones to help me with reassembly

2) I can take it with me when I travel for work. I often travel somewhere for just a few days and want something that I can throw into carry on luggage as a 'snapshot' camera.

I have no real idea on what I will have to pay - I'm thinking no more than $500 or so because I won't get value out of it otherwise - and obviously if it's less that's a good thing.

I have no particular loyalty to Nikon, Canon or anyone else.

So what should I be considering - any recommendations?????

Canon vs Nikon is like Chevy vs Ford, Rolex vs Breitling, etc, etc. You'll get plenty of opinions on both. Both companies make great cameras and you won't go wrong with either. But I would recommend sticking with either Canon or Nikon.

Now here's the problem. If you want to take pictures of watch movements, you really, really want a good macro lens. And no compact point and shoot cameras have a decent macro lens in my opinion. It is simply not possible given the physics of optics and the price point they're trying to meet. Some of the newer ones are decent, but can't compare to an SLR with a good 1:1 macro lens. Also, the flash on compact cameras are usually completely useless.

My current 'little' camera is a Canon SD950 and I'm quite happy with it for what it is. It's great for situations when I don't want to lug a SLR.

I picked up a Panasonic Lumix DMC ZR1 on a flying visit to Japan recently:
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-elec ... 0000005702

In Japan (and some other places I think) it's called the ZX1.

For what it's worth, I've been very impressed with the image quality and the handling of different lighting conditions. The results are visibly better than my girlfriend's 1-year-old Olympus (which I thought was pretty good to begin with). It's way better than my 4-year-old Canon which it replaced.

You're never going to get premium results out of a point and shoot, but I got tired of carrying around SLRs years ago. I was attracted to it because I primarily need it as a travel camera, and the 8x zoom is useful for that. If you're more concerned with things like watch movements, there is another model in the new Lumix range that might suit - it has a shorter zoom in a lens with a max aperture of f2.8.

Cheers
Otto

Don't know if this is the one that Otto meant but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is arguably the best compact camera on the market and would fit the bill perfectly. The Leica lens focuses down to just 1cm! List is US$499 but it has a higher street price as they were like gold dust to find when launched last year! Even now, Amazon are charging $517. Here's the reviews...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08072102panasoniclx3.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/

Happy shooting!

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Looking at your needs I strongly recommend the Olympus E-P1 Digital pen. Awesome compact camera with amazing portability and image quality. I have one and love it.

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Interchan ... 161&sr=8-1


It is over your budget though, so the Canon G11 is a good choice also, though noway near as good and future proof as the Olympus

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-G ... 225&sr=1-1

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Certified watch nut.

Thanks guys,

There is a camera store fairly close to my office so I'll stop by and try a few now that I have a shortlist.

Altair, that Olypmus looks intriguing - the ability to change lenses makes it a little easier to justify the cost, but I also don't want to lose the investment in Nikon lenses so have to figure an upgrade to the D100 at some point fairly soon.

I recently bought a new point-and-shoot here in Japan and it really works as a charm. In Japan it's called Canon Ixy 930 IS, I believe it's otherwise called Ixus 200 IS.

Very good shots, very quick and easy to handle, excellent macros.

http://www.techradar.com/news/photograp ... iew-627489

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

How's the hunt going Roff?

Another plug for Panasonic - I have the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ2 which I bought a few years ago and really like. 10x optical zoom, 6.0 Mega pixels - all the specs are below:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0701/07013 ... tz2tz3.asp (courtesy of Sharky's link - thank you ).

Easy to carry around with great macro; it does all that you'd ask of it and more. Judging by the rapidly evolving technology in this area I'm sure it's been superseded but not sure by which model.

Good luck!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

I'm teaching the next few days so won't have much chance to check them out in person, but looking at reviews online now that I have a shortlist from you guys and hopefully will be able to visit the store next week.

I've just found out that I have been scheduled to teach in Iqaluit (!) in November so want to get one sorted for that trip.

Just trying to get my shortlist done here - anyone know what the Canon IXUS 200 is called in North America - is it the same as the Canon SD 980 IS??

If you have the budget, either the Panasonic LX3, or the Canon G10 - the kings of compacts. However, if you want a bit more zoom and a slightly lower price tag then the Panasonic TZ7 is a very worthy purchase, with a great 12x optical zoom and those beloved Leica lenses you wont be disappointed. Also the SX110IS from Canon is a very capable compact but it doesn't look all that nice.

dpreview.com will see you right - they have recently done budget, mid, and top end compact reviews;

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/

Well worth a read.

[Edit] Not that recent, but should still hold true for the most part.

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Breitling Blackbird Big date

Yes, you're perfectly right. The Japanese IXY 930 IS is the same as the European IXUS 200 IS which is the same as the North American SD 980 IS.

It would obviously be too easy if they stuck with one name. Just imagine the confusion if a Navitimer was called different things in different regions!

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I would recommend a Canon G series camera.
G7, G10 etc...great glass, very good macro for this level camera, option for different lenses, in your price range.
My 2 cents.

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Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

I've been blown away by the Sony T-100 (or whatever the current variation is). It is the size of a deck of cards, 10mp resolution, steady shot, and super low light capabilities. I also shoot with a Sony Pro level camera in my studio, and the T-100 is 98% as good as the larger pro level. These pics were all taken with the T-100. I've taken it through Italy in the inside pocket of a jacket, 600 shots and almost every shot was perfectly exposed, sharp and perfect.

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Great shots Mark!

Currently on my last travel trip for a few weeks so hope to make a final decision soon. I am off to Iqaluit in mid November for a couple of weeks and definitely want to get one for that trip!!!