Tesselator wrote:

> "Dick" <Tungfree@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message news:ADiLa.127379$x67.5751859@twister.socal.rr.com...
> > The Olympus C-4000 4MP has a wonderful Macro feature going to about one inch
> > to take a shot of a bee. The C4040 4.1 MP, suposedly a super set of the
> > C-4000 does not have that super Macro and begins near 8". The new C5050
> > 5MPhowever is outfited with that macro of near 1".
> > So either I seek the C4000 4MP or the C5050 at 5MP.
> > What other cameras have such a Macro near 1" ?
>
> Many (all?) models in the CoolPix line have 4cm or less in macro mode.
>
> > This News group seems very focused near the 3MP. I have read all your posts
> > comparing te A40/A60/A70 With te Nikon 2100/3100 looked at the pictures, but
> > have no such input for the C4000 Olympus nor any for the C5050 to see if I
> > would ever need such resolutions of 4MP/5MP and the expense of them.
>
> It's probably just a result of the depth of the average consumers
> pocket-book.  Both the 4040 and the 5050 are excellent cameras I will
> buy a 5050 soon I think to add to my collection.  Don't be put off by
> the working range of a camera's macro mode which in the 4040 is 0.2 - 0.8 m
> but rather focus your attention of the level of magnification it is
> capable of.  I would much rather have a working range of a foot or more
> if I could still get the same magnification as a macro engeneered to
> operate at minute distances.

Since the cameras being discussed have lenses of almost
the same focal lengths and sensors of similar sizes,
 the degree of "magnification" will vary depending on the
distance. With film cameras, magnification is the ratio of the
size on film to the size of the object. Since with digital there is
no film, one should define magnification in terms of pixels per
centimeter or pixels per inch of the subject. This will depend
on the distance to the subject, the relative focal length the lens
is set at (relative to the sensor size. For convenience,
digital cameras show an equivalent focal length compared
to 35mm cameras), and the resolution that the camera is set at.



>
>
> As far as the expense and usefulness of a 5MP unit I guess you alone
> can answer that.  What will you be using the camera for? etc.
>
> >
> > I welcome suggestions beands and models to look at and consider. And the
> > advice of where to limit the quality persuits (weakness) I or many of you
> > may have :).
> > What to do what to do....hmmmmm
> >
> > Dick in Hawaii
>
> Someone should make a FAQ if there isn't one already, of the "ideal"
> features to look for in a digital camera.  Like:
>
> The ability to go manual in as many aspects as possible.
> The ability to store and transfer uncompressed images.

Not that many people shoot uncompressed on consumer level cameras.
The quality difference is hardly noticeable compared with shooting
at low  compression(SHG?), yet shooting uncompressed yeilds
files that are much larger, and the much lower number of images
per flash card can be very annoying.


>
> The ability to add attachements (PC, Hotshoe, Tripod mount, lens filters, etc.)

>
> Readable LCD menus
> Tilt/Rotate/Swivel LCD Pannels.
> All glass (coated) lens elements.
> Other than plastic body frame,
> USB or Serial Camera Control via computer or etc. (other than downloading)
> Etc.
> Etc.
> Etc.
>
> And thier _simple_ respective explaination.  Like:
>
> USB/Ser. Cam. Control  --  Will allow you to to create ultra hi res stop motion
>                            and time-laps motion sequences.

Very few people do this.

>
>
> Non-Plastic Cam Body   --  Will save you a trip to the repair shop if you drop
>                            the thing.
>
> Etc.
> Etc.
> Etc.
>
> Anyone know of a faq like that?