WTB: Digital camera for Trade Me photos around $50 ish

Forums › Offers and Wanted › WTB: Digital camera for Trade Me photos around $50 ish

wally22

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Topic # 248370 22-Mar-2019 19:23

Asking on behalf of friend. They have a large collection of items that they want to sell and have limited funds and some experience with cameras. A lot of the items are small and require zoom in the photography. They did have one a few years ago that I found very hard to fathom so I could show them how to use. Fortunately for me, it started developing faults and fell into disuse, Also the progression from optical to digital zoom made the resulting photos grainy.

Friend does not want a mobile phone, first suggestion I made.

Has anyone got something good out there lingering in a cupboard that would suit someone who is a bit better than a "point and shoot" user for around $50.00? Asking here as I know we can trust the pedigree from Geekzoners.

I have looked on Trademe for a few weeks but the variety of sales invariably end in dead ends.

Thank you all.

livisun

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Reply # 2203621 22-Mar-2019 20:43

I have a Nikon J1 if you would like to have for $50

pbolger

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Reply # 2203716 23-Mar-2019 06:28

I have a Canon Ixus 60 you can have for $50, including postage.

pbolger

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Reply # 2203733 23-Mar-2019 09:23

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Here are a few tips on getting better pics for TradeMe:

Switch off the digital zoom. There will be a setting in the camera menus. Digital zoom is effectively the same as cropping the image in the camera - it's only real use is if you need to print the file from the camera directly.
Shoot items against a neutral background. Zoom shouldn't really be a factor - if the item is too small move the camera closer! Really small items may require a macro lens, but see the next point.
Give yourself plenty of light. One of the factors which determines the minimum distance for an item to be in focus is the light level. The more light you have the greater your depth of field (because with more light the camera can shoot at a smaller aperture).
Soft light will usually give better results. I often shoot my items next to a white wall which has sunlight hitting it. plenty of bounced, diffuse light.
Get your balance right. If your camera is producing pictures that are too blue, or too orange (and if that's not the effect you want) correcting that is going to cost you in image quality.
Use a tripod. Just a little, cheap one will do the trick. I see them in op shops all the time for a couple of dollars. If you can't trigger the shutter without wobbling the camera use the self-timer.

neb

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Reply # 2203836 23-Mar-2019 14:20

Another tip, if they've got a lot of items and want to get better than average shots, get a set of these. You can get soft/hard light and cold/warm, and more importantly light from multiple sources rather than just spotlit from one side.

wally22

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Reply # 2203851 23-Mar-2019 15:37

Thank you for all of the offers and advice. I have forwarded the offer details to my friend and they are considering. In my opinion all of the offers are very acceptable so they only have to choose one. It may come down to the colour.

pbolger

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Reply # 2203866 23-Mar-2019 16:41

neb: Another tip, if they've got a lot of items and want to get better than average shots, get a set of these. You can get soft/hard light and cold/warm, and more importantly light from multiple sources rather than just spotlit from one side.

I was going to say that you can also use old polystyrene boxes for the same effect, but $15 for collapsible reflectors ... We used to pay a couple of hundred for those. The collapsible ones are great.

You might also consider getting something like this

https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/camera-accessories/other/listing-1989052727.htm?rsqid=481e85723a7f434eb7f0aa96061da35c

neb

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Reply # 2203879 23-Mar-2019 17:34

pbolger:
neb: Another tip, if they've got a lot of items and want to get better than average shots, get a set of these. You can get soft/hard light and cold/warm, and more importantly light from multiple sources rather than just spotlit from one side.

I was going to say that you can also use old polystyrene boxes for the same effect, but $15 for collapsible reflectors ... We used to pay a couple of hundred for those. The collapsible ones are great.

Yeah, they're a bit cheap and nasty, but if you're just using them at home rather than taking them out on location repeatedly where they'll get wear and tear they'll do fine. Friend of mine who does TV work was surprised at what you were getting for your money.