What's a good digital camera for Studio type pictures?

I write "How to" articles for a small industry magazine. I currently use an old Epson photoPC 850Z that recently broke. It's an old camera, but has a great lens, and I can screw on separate close up lenses for tight shots. I'm not a photographer by any means, but this old camera produced some great shots.

What would be a good camera to replace this with? Do any point and shoot camera's have the ability to ad close up lenses? Are they even needed any more? I'm thinking an DSLR would be overkill for this application?

Thanks for the help!

Mike

Hi Mike. Good Question. Many people are probably wanting to know the exact same thing. So... you are really wanting a camera that can take close up shots. I don't think a digital SLR is overkill at all.... however, if you have been using a point and shoot and like the features it has, not to mention the convenient size, there is no reason not to persue a model that will suit your likes as well as your needs. Since you last bought your Epson, many of the point and shoots have developed a much better Macro/close up setting which allows shooting ... if need be... as close as 1'' from the lens, and that is without needing an accessory lens that has to screw onto the front. I can give you an example. My daughter shoots designer labels that are sewn on the backs of clothing... Tiny labels, tiny words and letters. She must get the shots in focus and crystal clear.
She uses one of the Sony point and shoots with macro capability and gets a beautiful close up picture. She likes the camera so much for that purpose that she has purchased 2 other Sonys as backups in case anything happens to the first. After over 5000+ shots, this camera is still going strong. I might mention that she has a serious DSLR with great lenses, but in her opinion, it IS overkill and she would rather use the small convenient, easy to hold and shoot camera. You must check it out for yourself. Before ordering online, you must go in to a retail store and look at the cameras in person. I recommend Sony, because if it says the camera has Macro setting.... IT does. Ask the questions you need answers to of the sales person. I also advise that you ask about their return policy and only buy if they provide one... in your particular case. Take it home and try it out.... if it works for you. GREAT!! If not... you have not lost anything by testing it on the type of pictures you will be taking. (But I know it will if you try the Sony) Hope my suggestion has been able to add to the already great suggestions here and given you something else to consider. Thanks for reading!! and Happy camera shoppin :))

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

i suggest nikon d60 or the newest canon xs

it is the lens...............check the nikon d60....shop around....retty cheap...............read the reviews

You Don't Really Want A Point And Shoot...

You Should Get A Digital SLR

they aren't as expensive as you'd think. i'm only fourteen, but i own my on DSLR, a nikon d40, and i love the results i can get out of it, it was a great update from my canon powershot s3IS digital camera. It is a wonderful camera, and you can add as much lenses to it as you'd like.

You don't have to spend that much money, You could get the nikon d40, it's only around 450$, which isn't that bad, considering that it can change lenses, and comes with a good lens already. You can add macro, telephoto, zoom, and much more different kinds of lenses, i think you should upgrade for real.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-5...

there's the link, you should get it from there, you could save your self some money there. And, you could get more lenses to help you get your ' studio ' like images. :P

I recommend going with the Nikon D40. If you get the D40 from Amazon, it is only $450, with a 18-55mm lens (an excellent lens), and because it is so cheap, it would give you some extra cash to buy lenses, flashes, etc. if needed.

See: http://www.nikond40.ca/

The D40 is exactly like the D60, except less pixels, which wouldnt matter unless you are a professional and are making HUGE prints.

One thing to keep in mind, some cameras (such as the Nikon D80) have a motor built in the camera, so it can auto-focus with any lens, where as the D40 does not have a motor inside it, so it is limited to Nikon AF-S and AF-I lenses. This should not be a big problem unless you already have some lenses (that are not AF-S or AF-I) that you want to auto-focus with the D40. If you do not, than stick to buying from Nikon's large collection of AF-S and AF-I lenses. Note that the Nikon D40 can still operate other lenses, just you will have to manual focus.

Lastly, go to a camera store, such as Best Buy or Henerys. Both of those stores will let you handle the cameras, and test them out. Note: Henery's is much more knowledgeable about cameras, go there if you have lots of questions.

Any other questions, feel free to send me a message.

zlh