There are many good cameras out there that will take good macro photos. Some
allow good images by getting really close, and this is OK around the hive
because bees aren't so "flighty" there. These cameras will only cost a few
hundred. But if you want to take images from a distance so you don't scare
foraging bees, you will need a good optical zoom and an add on macro lens.
This also allows a more natural perspective rather than the "fishbowl"
perspective of having the "lens touching the subject".
You should look for at least 5X and 10X is good. I personally use a 10X zoom
with a +3 macro lens on the front (Olympus 2100 UZ - 2.1 MP). This lets me
get around 1 foot away and fill half the frame with a bee. See
http://www.airborne.co.nz/bees1.htm
These will print to A4 size on a high quality (Epson 1290) photo printer.
Assuming you are going for something like a Nikon 5700 (no thread on the lens
for macro add on lens), Minolta 7i, Sony 717, there will be some chromatic
aberration (colour flaring along contrasting edges of the subject, and more
pronounced towards the outer regoins of the photo) , especially at full zoom
with an add on macro lens. To reduce this as much as possible, you will need
a flash. Sometimes you can get away with a pop up flash, and sometimes you
can't. But smaller apertures and higher shutter speeds (from using a flash)
will help reduce the colour flaring or chromatic aberration and improve depth
of field.
The next step up from these are the digital SLRs. Camera bodies start at
around $1200 with lenses, flash, tripods, etc all extra..... $$$$$$$.
Try www.dpreview.com for reviews, specs, history, tips and particularly the
forums for opinions, problems etc once you have narrowed down your choices.
Regards,
Peter Bray
_________________________________________________________
Airborne Honey Ltd., Pennington St, PO Box 28, Leeston,
New Zealand Fax 64-3-324-3236, Phone 64-3-324-3569
http://www.airborne.co.nz [log in to unmask]
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-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info ---
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