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Jul 25, 2019 6:13 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kathy
Michigan - rural (Zone 5a)
Daylilies Garden Art Region: Michigan Seed Starter Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America
I'd really like to pay under $300 ... is there such a thing. I hybridize daylilies and need something that catches the colors correctly and takes clear images. I don't need all the bells and whistles.
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Jul 25, 2019 2:22 PM CST
Name: Larry
Enterprise, Al. 36330 (Zone 8b)
Composter Daylilies Garden Photography Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Region: Alabama
Please let me know if you find such a camera! Sorry I am no help, but I would love to find something like that.
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Jul 25, 2019 4:12 PM CST
Moderator
Sweden
Forum moderator Garden Photography Irises Bulbs Lilies Bee Lover
Hellebores Deer Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Photo Contest Winner: 2016
Kathy, I'm afraid getting a new camera might not help you as much as you think.

Clear images comes from focusing correctly, avoiding motion blur and excessively high ISO settings. Getting a new camera might help with that to some extent, but it isn't really necessary. If all you need is a small image for web use, almost all cameras are good enough.

Automatic white balance often works less well for floral pictures, so I would suggest learning how to adjust this manually on your camera as this will give you better colors. Alternatively this can be adjusted in postprocessing as well. For me these two steps are usually enough, but if you need more accuracy, then you could start to shoot a gray card prior to photographing your real subject. If you don't know how to use a gray card, there are plenty of info to be found on the web.

If that still isn't accurate enough for you, then you could look into using something like the X-rite Colorchecker or similar cards from other manufacturers. These can help you calibrate your camera for different lights, alternatively you can take a reference picture as above and use this to adjust your colors with it. There is a software side to these cards as well, and you may need to purchase additional software to be able to use them, so look into this carefully before committing to this. I believe you also need a camera capable of shooting RAW to be able to use these cards effectively.
Last edited by William Jul 25, 2019 4:14 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 26, 2019 6:52 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kathy
Michigan - rural (Zone 5a)
Daylilies Garden Art Region: Michigan Seed Starter Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America
Thank You William, very useful information.

Previous cameras have stopped working for various reasons .... so all I have been using until I purchase a new camera is my phone.

I was hoping for recommendations before I go out and buy one that I'm still not satisfied with.

I'll save your post for when I finally make a purchase.
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Jul 26, 2019 9:08 AM CST
Name: Gene Staver
Portage WI 53901 (Zone 5a)
Annuals Houseplants Herbs Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents
Butterflies Birds Hummingbirder Garden Sages
William is correct when it comes to equipment over skills. Better equipment is not usually the answer. But I am biased as I teach photography. Best cameras reviews on the net, bar none, are at DPReview.com.
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