[P-E]

Just had a call from my boss who was wanting advice about a body and lens setup for taking pictures of model railways.......locomotives etc.

The pictures would be for website and ebay use which we have now but the picture quality is poor at times....they use an old fuji something or other

The conversation started off with him saying what about a "Nikon Digital SLR"......I said "and what lens you going to use".......his reply was "o it needs a lens does it"

So would I be right in thinking the best thing for these small models would be a dedicated macro lens?

I reckon a Canon 100mm macro and a 350D body would just be right.

Thoughts and advice anyone?

Cheers Ian.

P.S...The thing is with model railways is that there are several scales.....N Gauge, OO Gauge, O Gauge etc.

The OO Gauge is the most common gauge (Hornby Railways).

[VinnyP]

Well a macro lens would be a good idea for detail shots but if they wanted more general shots the 100mm might be a bit long. Why not a macro lens around the 50/60mm mark. The Nikon macros have a slight edge but only a real pixel peeper or MTF chart nerd would know it. The Canon sounds a great idea given it's just for web work.

[Markulous]

Hmmm, I'd recommend a bridge camera rather than SLR - seems to be more what he'll need. Plenty that'll give him good pics and they pretty much all do good macro shots

[P-E]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Vinny after I posted I began to think the 100mm would be too long so I will count that out.

Mark we used to use a Nikon 5700 which was fine but that now has packed up........the camera can be taking over approx 150 shots a day six days a week so we need one that is durable.

[P-E]

Here is a link to our website o give you some idea of what is done.....sorry if the link isn't allowed .

Some of the images are stock images from the Hornby etc, with most of our images on the Ebay link.

Rails of Sheffield - One of the largest suppliers of quality new and second hand model railway stock

[silkstone]

I collect N-Gauge models which are half the size of OO, and you don't really need a macro lens except perhaps for head-on shots - especially if cropping is allowed.

I'd suggest a 350D/400D with the nifty fifty. If he does need to get closer, a set of auto extension tubes will do the trick, and it all costs much less than a dedicated macro lens. The pop-up flash also doubles as a macro light - the tubes and lens don't obstruct it.

[P-E]

Thanks for your input Silkstone.

So you reckon the 50mm would be OK to pick up good detail on the N Gauge products (We can crop)....in fact we have to crop as a normal OO gauge loco measures approx 11" X 2", So the width fills the frame OK but not the height.

[silkstone]

There should be no problem with the 50mm f/1.8. Although it's a bit plasticky, the IQ is very good - better than most zooms and up with the L-series in most respects. The focal length is also ideal for that type of shot, and it avoids any debate about where to set the zoom.

[P-E]

I could work with the 50mm but I got a feeling the guy who does most of the photography won't as he used to zooming in and out

[silkstone]

You could buy him some roller skates.

[P-E]

LOL.......any makes you recommend?

Any thoughts on a bridge camera Mark mentions?.....these I presume will have the zoom as well as a little basic macro mode.

[silkstone]

Canon Powershot S3 IS. 12x zoom, decent IQ and IS for when he's on those skates. Also good movie mode which could be the start of something new....

[P-E]

Ta

[VinnyP]

Originally Posted by silkstone

Canon Powershot S3 IS. 12x zoom, decent IQ

I'd be careful the image quality is not for everyone (me for example). We get these from work and the pictures are very soft compared to comparable cameras. I am not being an SLR snob. I have a Panasonic Z30 a Fuji S5000 and a Casio Z750 and the S3s are nigglingly softer. Very close macro mode though. Love the screen design and the movies are good.