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Buying camera
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Feb 11, 2019 17:16:46   #
V730 Loc: Atlanta
 
I'm a real newbie looking for a camera to photograph my items for Etsy and various other selling platforms. I feel really over my head looking at the discussions... eeks! I want a camera that's easy to use and something I can grow with

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Feb 11, 2019 17:32:48   #
papaluv4gd Loc: durham,ct
 
Welcome v730. We all have our favorites, so we are a bit biased. My suggestion would be to find a camera store near you. I would suggest a decent camera with a built in zoom lens. Lot's of choices out there. Best to pick up a few different brands and models, see what feels comfortable in your hands. How easy it is to manipulate the various controls,etc. Not all cameras fit all people. PLus it's kinda fun to get your hands on lot's of fun toys. olympus,canon,nikon,fuji,sony, are most of the more popular brands. Have fun ,and check back soon.

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Feb 11, 2019 17:42:29   #
Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan
 
V730 wrote:
I'm a real newbie looking for a camera to photograph my items for Etsy and various other selling platforms. I feel really over my head looking at the discussions... eeks! I want a camera that's easy to use and something I can grow with


Welcome to UHH. The more information you give the better the recommendations you will get. I think the decision is 99% knowing what it is that you want to do, and only 1% a shopping decision. Just about all cameras become easy to use when approached with an understanding of the fundamentals - aperture, shutter speed, ISO. Keep it simple!

There are specialty sections here that are not easy to find and that might be helpful.

UHH member and professional photographer E.L. Shapiro administers a special forum here, Commercial and Industrial Photography, where product photography techniques and challenges are discussed.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-126-1.html

I have found the True Macro section here helpful over the years for lighting strategies with small objects.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Mike

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Feb 11, 2019 17:47:10   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
papaluv4gd wrote:
Welcome v730. We all have our favorites, so we are a bit biased. My suggestion would be to find a camera store near you. I would suggest a decent camera with a built in zoom lens. Lot's of choices out there. Best to pick up a few different brands and models, see what feels comfortable in your hands. How easy it is to manipulate the various controls,etc. Not all cameras fit all people. PLus it's kinda fun to get your hands on lot's of fun toys. olympus,canon,nikon,fuji,sony, are most of the more popular brands. Have fun ,and check back soon.
Welcome v730. We all have our favorites, so we a... (show quote)


That's the best thing to do.

Welcome to the forum.

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Feb 11, 2019 17:55:38   #
PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place
 
Welcome to UHH V730, glad you joined us. One suggestion above was to go to your camera store and handle a few models, this is good advice. One maybe to heavy for you, one might not feel good in your hands, etc. Another important item we need to know is what is your budget.
Have fun, learn and enjoy the forum.

Don

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Feb 11, 2019 18:50:57   #
Brokenland
 
Rent one or several first before you actually buy into a brand. in otherwords, if I told you what camera you should buy and you did then ended up unhappy about your purchase you're prob blame me or others. Best rent one that looks to fit your budget and skill level.

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Feb 11, 2019 19:53:02   #
IDguy Loc: Idaho
 
V730 wrote:
I'm a real newbie looking for a camera to photograph my items for Etsy and various other selling platforms. I feel really over my head looking at the discussions... eeks! I want a camera that's easy to use and something I can grow with


A basic DSLR kit will work. Refurbished Nikon D3400 with 18-55 lens, from Cameta, would be a good start. You’ll also want a flash you can use off camera. The D3400 on camera flash will trigger it.

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Feb 11, 2019 20:29:58   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
V730 wrote:
I'm a real newbie looking for a camera to photograph my items for Etsy and various other selling platforms. I feel really over my head looking at the discussions... eeks! I want a camera that's easy to use and something I can grow with


Before you go spending money on a camera you won't know how to use, try the 'Camera Plus 2' phone app. The app has a macro setting for close ups of small items and you can get pretty well all of the manual control you would get with a good camera. There are loads of free or cheap photo editing apps you can get too.

Buy a simple table top light/photo studio like this to light your objects:
https://www.amazon.com/LimoStudio-Photography-Studio-Lighting-AGG349/dp/B005CX9S8A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1549934724&sr=8-4&keywords=table+top+lighting+kit

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Feb 11, 2019 21:41:06   #
V730 Loc: Atlanta
 
Thank you so much for your help!

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Feb 11, 2019 21:44:00   #
V730 Loc: Atlanta
 
Thank you so much... I'll definitely look into the "Camera Plus 2" and the lighting kit.

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Feb 11, 2019 21:46:11   #
V730 Loc: Atlanta
 
Thanks!

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Feb 11, 2019 21:47:34   #
V730 Loc: Atlanta
 
Thank you so much!

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Feb 12, 2019 03:56:23   #
User ID
 
V730 wrote:

I'm a real newbie looking for a camera to photograph
my items for Etsy and various other selling platforms.
I feel really over my head looking at the discussions...
eeks! I want a camera that's easy to use and
something I can grow with


If your items are glass, gems, polished metal,
or any objects smaller than your little finger,
I'm "sorry" to warn you that you'll need to get
a bit edumacated photographically, and prolly
hafta be a bit more choosy about what camera
to buy. Jewelry, glassware, etc are tricky. But
shoes, ceramics, fabric items, much easier.

.

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Feb 12, 2019 06:27:58   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
First - go to a nearby camera store if you have one. If not, you can try Best Buy. You probably can get a fairly simple small camera that has a MACRO setting, needed if you have small items and/or want close-up photos. You do not need an expensive camera to take photos with good enough resolution and sharpness for the internet. Consider getting a "Light box" - check Amazon. This is a very inexpensive table-top lighting setup which helps produce great images.

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Feb 12, 2019 07:27:31   #
Mainiac65 Loc: Maine
 
Many Best Buy stores have expanded their camera departments and have various model of all the major brands on hand to demonstrate the cameras. Some of the staff have been factory trained on the technical aspects of the cameras. Spend some time trying out the cameras for feel and control layout. You will also need a tripod, which are also stocked there.

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