Megapixel advice wanted: My alias is modelbuilder1. I enjoy building scale models of every scale and every type; cars, military, ships, planes, spaceships. When I go to a model contest...

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

My alias is modelbuilder1. I enjoy building scale models of every scale and every type; cars, military, ships, planes, spaceships. When I go to a model contest I always take my cameras. Shooting conditions are usually difficult. Poor lighting, mixed lighting (incandescent/ flurecsent/ sunlight), hand held leaning over a table, close to other models and people. I'm usually trying to get as close as possible to fill the frame, and sometimes closer to incredible details. I have noticed that my 20MP SX710HS seems to capture better detail than my 12MP XSi. Could I expect better detail from a 24MP 80D?

Depth of field also is a problem with the XSi at this close range (usually just a few inches). I have often wondered if a ring flash would help. I have seen one or two others using them at model shows with poor lighting. The ring flashes are rather pricey so informed opinions are welcomed.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

My humble advice is if you have poor lighting and DOF problems just use your smart phone camera. My Iphone 6+ lets me get closer and sharper with no DOF problems.

Joe Blow

It depends.

The camera is only part of the issue. Perhaps more important is the quality of the lens. Add in shooting in the "aperture sweet spot". Then, using image stabilization will lose sharpness.

An 80D won't give you better shots if you still use poor lenses. Plus, you will still have your lighting issues.

Ya, the XSi is a 10 y/o camera, however, if you upgrade your lighting you will save money. A couple of remote wireless hot shoes with umbrellas and some cheap flashes can be done for under $400. (see eBay for some inexpensive set ups) That would be a much better set up than a ring flash.

A Canon EF 50mm f1.8 lens will help give sharp shots. You can vary your DOF (depth of field) and still get great shots.

alx Loc: NJ

Joe Blow wrote:

It depends. br br The camera is only part of the ... (show quote)

Considering what and where he is shooting, I doubt he has the flexibility for a multi flash remote setup. A two flash angled bracket on camera or the ringlight will be accepted at model shows and give him what he wants

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

lmTrying wrote:

My alias is modelbuilder1. I enjoy building scale ... (show quote)

The problem with ring flash is that it is both harsh and flat, and it is not "natural" looking. A larger sensor will improve image quality, and more MP will improve capture of fine details. With more MP and a longer focal length that provides a greater working distance while still giving you 1:1 magnification, you'll have more and better lighting options.

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2016/11/13/the-model-photo-how-to-photograph-models-for-display/

http://www.carphototutorials.com/scale_car_photography_explained_in_detail.html

https://www.popphoto.com/how-to/2013/03/i-photographer-model-railroad-shooter-paul-dolkos#page-2

And this guy's stuff is stunningly realistic:

https://petapixel.com/2013/10/14/life-like-miniature-scenes-shot-using-model-cars-forced-perspective-250-ps/

If you need greater depth of field you can always focus stack and use Zerene Stacker, Helicon Focus or Photoshp to merge your images. The results will generally be better than stopping your lens down to increase depth of field. Too small an aperture, especially with high pixel density sensors, will result in diffraction-limited sharpness.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

lmTrying wrote:

I have noticed that my 20MP SX710HS seems to capture better detail than my 12MP XSi. Could I expect better detail from a 24MP 80D?

You could always try renting a 51MP Fujifilm GFX 50s or a 50MP Hasselblad X1D-50c to find out.😉

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

rjaywallace wrote:

You could always try renting a 51MP Fujifilm GFX 50s or a 50MP Hasselblad X1D-50c to find out.😉

The OP could also get a faster lens ... A modest investment in an EF 50 f/1.8 will likely help in the photography at the model contests at a modest $150, an image improvement for all EOS bodies from the lenses currently being used. A speedlight (external) flash will also likely help things at a more modest investment cost than a new high-megapixel body.

BebuLamar

I do not think the Megapixels is important in this case. You're in difficult situation because you have to work with low light yet needing good DOF so a fast lens won't help. Additional lighting may help but I understand that you can't bring lots of them in like reflectors etc.... I don't think you even can use a tripod? Focus stacking hand held and in a crowded room?? I doubt it would work.
I have the Nikon DF which could work with low light quite well but if I am in your situation I don't think it would work. I could bring a flash that has enough power to bounce but still at a medium aperture like f/8 the DOF isn't enough for close up shots of the model.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

lmTrying wrote:

My alias is modelbuilder1. I enjoy building scale ... (show quote)

Yes you can, but don't expect miracles, the difference between 20MP and 24MP is super duper small! Improving the lighting by using flash will provide the biggest improvement. You will see more detail, have more clarity and can work with a small enough aperture for some DOF!

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

letmedance wrote:

My humble advice is if you have poor lighting and DOF problems just use your smart phone camera. My Iphone 6+ lets me get closer and sharper with no DOF problems.

A fellow model railroader friend, Jim Six, takes nearly all the model photos he posts and publishes with his iPhone. Much easier and better results than working with a DSLR, especially in show conditions I expect. DOF is the biggest issue with a DSLR in such shooting.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lmTrying wrote:

My alias is modelbuilder1. I enjoy building scale ... (show quote)

How about a ring light?
https://smile.amazon.com/Neewer-Marco-Light-Adapter-Tamron/dp/B0031AQ302/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517227127&sr=8-3&keywords=camera+ring+light

cdayton

Notorious T.O.D. wrote:

img src="https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/s... (show quote)

Heresy in this group but I agree. I usually pull out the iPhone SE for close-ups like this.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

CHG_CANON wrote:

The OP could also get a faster lens ... A modest investment in an EF 50 f/1.8 will likely help in the photography at the model contests at a modest $150, an image improvement for all EOS bodies from the lenses currently being used. A speedlight (external) flash will also likely help things at a more modest investment cost than a new high-megapixel body.

I was thinking the same thing. I shoot Nikon but my 50mm f1.8 makes the photos it shoots brighter than the subject that it shot, if that makes any sense. It's an outstanding low-light lens. I can't speak to the dof problem, however, since the lens is f1.8 is shot fairly wide open. On the camera side, Nikonwise, the dof problem could probably be fixed with a camera like the D7500 which can handle high ISO and allow smaller apertures to be shot. The other possibility, ofc, would be to shoot using a tripod with higher apertures and longer shutter speeds. I do believe that I've read in the micro section that there are tripods specifically made for micro shooting. You might post in that section and ask about them.

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

So nice to see people recommending a smartphone for photography in certain situations. There can be a lot of snobbery about them on these forums, it's quite refreshing.

Jim Bob

speters wrote:

Yes you can, but don't expect miracles, the difference between 20MP and 24MP is super duper small! Improving the lighting by using flash will provide the biggest improvement. You will see more detail, have more clarity and can work with a small enough aperture for some DOF!