Best Digital Camera for Macro Use - Taking Photos of cell phone Screens

[AndrewSMcD]

Hello there,

I'm needing some help choosing the best camera for a project my company is doing. We need to take crisp, color-accurate (as much as possible) close-up shots of cell phone screens. So it's not only choosing a good camera with a good macro set-up... but one that would be good at taking photos of something that is illuminated.

Any suggestions? I'd love to hear what people think. I'm leaning towards getting a 5MP camera, hopefully not more than $500-$600...

Thanks!
Andrew

[Sebastian]

Why not just get emulators for the phones and do screengrabs?

[AndrewSMcD]

That would be ideal, if emulators for alpha-build wireless devices were available. But if you happen to have a emulator for a Motorola MPX 220 laying around, do let me know.

In regards to my photography question, do you have any suggestions regarding photography hardware?

Thanks,
Andrew

[Sean Dempsey]

To focus on tiny little screens and have them fill the frame, you might need a DSLR... not sure if PS can focus that close.

I personally use a Canon 10D and a Sigma 105mm Macro, and it could take the picture of a cellphones "3" button, let alone the screen.

[awkwards]

This sparked a fun little experiment for me, since I just got Kenko extension tubes for my Nikon D70. On the other hand, I've always been impressed with the macro capability of my tiny Pentax Optio S4, which I carry around as a pocket camera.

Now, before you get too critical when you see these, understand that I literally didn't get out of my chair to take them. I leaned my cell phone on the bottom of my monitor and took the shots freehand. Imagine what you could do with an overhead camera mount and some good light!

I'll just show you the pictures and let you judge for yourself. Don't know if it'll be any help, but it was fun anyway.

Here's the result with the Nikon (you'll have to forgive the crappy Nokia phone... I know this is a Motorola affair!):


Camera: NIKON D70
Lens: Stock AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G with 12mm Kenko Extension Tube added between lens and body (could have gotten closer if I'd used a bigger tube)
Exposure time: 0.1 s
F-number: f/11
ISO: 1600
Price: About $1500 when it was all said and done.

Now the Optio:


Camera: PENTAX Optio S4, everything set to Auto in Super Macro mode
Exposure time: 1/15 s
F-number: f/3.5
ISO speed ratings: 100
Price: <$300

Best of luck in your quest for the right camera.

James

P.S. I do have one other camera, an Olympus C-3030Z, but it's not so hot in the macro department.