dereksbicycles

I need to ask you for your opinion because my rottweiler does not seem to be an expert in camera field. I would like to be able to take better pictures so that I can list items on E Bay so that I can get more bids and get more pizza or Begging Strips for my rottweiler.

I was thinking that I would like a good camera. It would be strictly for listing items on E Bay. It won't be used for family pictures or outdoorsy stuffs. Strictly for E Bay. I would like recommendations of camera for my need. RIght now, I use camera on my Verizon Stratosphere. Therefore, if I'm going to spend on a camera, it has to be well worth it. An used Canon camera with 4 mp is not going to do it. I would like a good one. Thank you and if you can help lead me, that will be great.

Deafness

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tigersharkdude

Well that depends on your budget really, but I can/will try to help you with anything I can.

I personally have a Canon Rebel T2i, . Now something like this would easily work for taking pictures to list on ebay, but you could definitely get by without spending this kind of money.

My big questions to you.. What types of items do you normally sell on ebay? Do you normally take your listing pictures indoors or outside? Do you have any experience using a digital camera (other than a cell phone)? and lastly..what is your budget?

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dereksbicycles

Yes, I have used digital cameras before. Had few older Canon Powershots.

I'm hoping for a max of $200 to spend on a camera. I mostly take indoor cameras. I usually sell older matchbox or hotwheel cars. It's hard to get good pictures on my phone. That is why I want digital cameras. Most of my pictures are indoor pictures.

tigersharkdude

I know this one is slightly over your $200 budget..but it has a low f/stop that is capable of f/2.5 (good thing)..it also takes good macro pictures (good for small objects)

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tigersharkdude

This one is also very nice, but again slightly over your budget at $225

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Reba

Also keep in mind your lighting and backgrounds when you take the eBay pictures.

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Jane B.

This can be even more important than using a certain camera. Any number are capable of the settings needed. Also, if you are dealing with a lot of shinny surfaces flash may actually be a disadvantage.

Do you currently have any of the older cameras you mentioned having used? Different settings than you have used in the past may make one of them more useful than the phone. That is another thing to check out on your phone (what settings are available in the camera mode?).

Reba

I'm a strong proponent of natural (or like-natural) lighting.

Yes, glare, flare, washed-out colors, and shadows aren't good.

Product photography is a special skill. Can be boring but it's important.

tigersharkdude

something like this is really nice for product photography. I really like using photo cubes for this sort of photography

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Jane B.

I have not used one of these but it looks great to me. I think I would get one even before changing cameras if the one in the phone can have the flash turned off.

tigersharkdude

phones arent really meant for this sort of photography.

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Jane B.

Right. I was thinking in terms of a step by step upgrade process. In other words if you can't get everything at once might want to start with this if the flash can be turned off in the phone camera.

tigersharkdude

would def work to do that ( I know thats what I have to do normally)



OP, check out pawnshops for used digital camera's....its a great place to check

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naisho

I moved this to Computers & IT for you, it may help you get more replies and suggestions than in Deaf Tech.

I agree with some of the helps you've gotten here. I've been selling stuff on ebay since 1998. I don't know what kind of stuff you're selling but you need a good photo environment set up. Sometimes, like the inside of a white cardboard box is a cheap alternative if you don't have $ for a professional environment.

I read you're doing matchbox cars so you probably need something that supports close-ups or macro lens without distorting/pixelating the picture. Most cell phone cameras are not good for detailed closeups unless you get a select few with powerful camera lens like Samsung Galaxy S2 or S3, but these phones are expensive for those reasons.

It's not in the megapixel of the photo, it's the lens that matters the most in the detail. You could probably try a low end DSLR from canon/nikon/sony/olympus, they usually run $200 new in Best Buy and are cheaper used. Some of them don't have adjustable lens which is a downside.

The Highlander

$200 for macro lens? Never happen. They are over $300 without DSLR body.

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naisho

Not lens, for low end camera body. I don't know what they are called. they are DSLR wannabe but most lens not removable.

Nikon - Coolpix L810 16.1-Megapixel
Fujifilm - FinePix S4300 14.0-Megapixel
Olympus - SP-810UZ 14.0-Megapixel

look like this:

The Highlander

I never like any point and shoot and they are short-life and very slow zoom. I like manual zoom (DSLR) over power zoom (point and shoot) for better battery life and perfect aim.

I recommend Canon brand because they still write the new app/new driver for outdated Canon products.

My EOS 20D is over 8 years old and you still get newer driver for Windows 7 64bit and OSX 10.7 (Lion) ready to go.

My dream DSLR is EOS 5D Mark III.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii

It's finally 100% viewfinder coverage and afford than EOS 1D. My EOS 20D is 95%

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Jane B.

Wanta go back a bit further? I am still using the EOS D60 (the one before the 10D).

I first went to the Canon DSLR because I already had a Canon EOS 620 film camera which uses the same mount. I would have to get a different flash though and have not done so as it handles most lighting conditions so well.

Some of my lens were bought used including a 70-210 that was one of the earliest EOS zooms. I paid $110 for it, a holster bag and the postage to get it here. It does have a marco setting; but I am not sure if it is a true marco or just much closer focus. It does not have the contrast that newer lenses have but who cares once you get your shots into post processing software.

Drivers mean nothing to me as I have never attached a camera to a computer. I use a card reader that attaches via USB instead.

The Highlander

What's f-number you have? 2.8/f or less is better. 70-210 for $110 sounds like 4/f or more which not great for marco at 200 ISO or less without a flash/lamp

Ah. EOS D30 (not 30D) was my first time to repair for DSLR. Yes, D30 is right before EOS D60. I hate D30 and D60 because they were pain in ass to repair and USE A LOT soldering for everything. Yes, I used work Canon as Group leader DSLR repair for seven years.

Not just a pictures transfer, You can use DSLR thru USB for remote camera (EOS Utility) and adjustments flash/len/color/white balance,shutter speed,etc. (technician only) Again, driver and app are very important to me and most professional for quick job.

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Reba

Derek, have you looked at this? It's the Photo Center at eBay.

eBay Seller Information Center: Selling Resources

It includes:

Top Tips for Great Photos
New Picture Quality Standards
Optimize your pictures for mobile buyer

naisho

Same here, my first DSLR is Nikon D3100. I prefer manual lens a lot than automatic from point and shoot, but very expensive.. One thing that suck about Nikon is no aftermarket firmware or I never found it

I plan to buy AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D when I have extra money someday. It is over $500...

cost more than cost of camera

naisho

Yup, that's a good list.
Basically the best photos are always someone with a decent camera, and does:

- White (or stick with one color) background
- No interfering or visible unrelated objects in the photo
- Decent close up to see some of the details

Sometimes, the eBay photo resolution is too small. I believe the max width is around 1200pixels or 1300pixels, anything over that the eBay uploader software will automatically shrink the photos which end up looking bad in some cases.

Which is why you will have to use a photo program to manipulate the images, I recommend Photoshop or for cheaper, use Paint.Net, it's like a free version of photoshop.

Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing

naisho

What do you guys think about the mini/wannabe-DSLR cameras?
I read on wiki it's called Bridge Camera (Bridge camera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I've never owned them but I see that they are much cheaper than DSLR but better quality than point and shoot. I see them often in Best Buy or Target for $150-$300 price range, right under cost of DSLR.
Some of them have removable lens so you can change them also.

The Highlander

Since you are programmer and you should get a Canon. Canon have SDK.

another one.

CHDK Wiki

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The Highlander

You will know why the len is so expensive. Yes, the len is pain in ass to clean dust off with air compressor and avoid from the fingerprint as I can. I hate to wear latex gloves and hard to feels from the tiny screw/ring/washer/tape. No dust allows at middle/center of the len or you will see a "gary/black spot" on the picture.

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Grummer

what about NEX3?
or Sony 5N?
or the older Sony Nex 5, can be bought for quite cheapish...
Bloody good 4/3 cameras, its basically a swappable lens on a small body with is like a mini DSLR, but its not a DLSR because it doesnt have the mirror (prism) inside, it goes straight into thr imaging chip. and at 14.1 MP or 16 Mp onthe newer 5N, it is OUTSTANDING, it performs right up there with Canon 5D, ok not as much it can do...but not a long way off...REALLY a steal
Forget Nikon, Forget Fujifilm , forget Panasonic (GH2 is nice competitor to the more popular 5D mk2, and more hackable)

also listen to REBA, and Naisho they gave excellent advice...
Lighting..., learn about Colour temps...
and start from there

you Wont be dissapointed with the old Nex 5, GET IT

its a ****ing amazing peice of shit...i mean its Da ShIT!!
dotn waste time, go see Sony ask for demo...and look in the prices i Ebay
or if Nex5, then look at Nex3, a wortyh -e-bay only photo camera'

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