Need to photograph sculpture

[Artist]

This will be my first digital camera,

My budget is a max of $400 including EVERYTHING I'll need. I will be photographing sculpture that is mostly monocromatic (white or brown clay, no glaze) for my portfolio and to post on the web. Portfolio pics MUST be very good quality and show detail of the entire sculpture (some pieces as large as 5 feet most no larger than 3 feet) and I will also take close ups of some details but using a tripod (have already) I will be able to get pretty close to the sculpture itself.

I also will want to use the camera some for personal use so don't want a giant.

Am I looking for a wide angle capability? Will this show the detail of the sculpture? What about JPEG vs RAW or TIFF. Is that going to make a big difference?

I may do some editing and cropping but I'm not a fancy computer photo techy.

A local camera shop recommended the FUJI Finepix E-500 at $250 plus these additional options:
Rech batteries and charger @ $30
Adobe photo elements @ $60
128 MB memory card @ $50
card reader @ $25
Is this a good set up or are there better options that come with what I need And don't require so much add on?

[leadeater]

Am I looking for a wide angle capability?

Depends - how far away can you get? Wide angle is needed if you can't get everything in the frame and can't back up enough to do so either. The downside to WA is that the wider you go, the more the potential distortion. This is why portraits are never taken at wide settings, and I would think a pic of a sculpture is somewhat of a portrait.

Will this show the detail of the sculpture?

That all depends on the size of the detail, and how far away you are. IOW, you won't see fine details in a pic of something that is 6 feet tall....

What about JPEG vs RAW or TIFF. Is that going to make a big difference?

It would to a photographer, but you are a sculptor. JPEG will be fine for a portfolio or for internet use. BTW, how big a print do you plan on making?

I may do some editing and cropping but I'm not a fancy computer photo techy.

Another reason why JPEG will do just fine.

A local camera shop recommended the FUJI Finepix E-500 at $250 plus these additional options:
Rech batteries and charger @ $30
Adobe photo elements @ $60
128 MB memory card @ $50
card reader @ $25
Is this a good set up or are there better options that come with what I need And don't require so much add on?

Fuji make good stuff, but certainly there are other choices out there (that may or may not make any difference). You might consider buying a camera that includes rechargeable batteries/charger. There are free downloads of basic photo software on the internet, but I don't know if they will suffice. You might try first, before spending the money. The $50 for the memory card seems high. The Wal-Mart down the road has them for $14. A card reader is a luxury and not a necessity, as you can just plug the camera into the computer via USB.

hth,
PhilR.

[Artist]

Do you have any specific recommendations of cameras or equipment? Any preferences on features or specs to look for or watch out for?

[leadeater]

Do you have any specific recommendations of cameras or equipment?

Not unless you can address some of what was mentioned above. Do you in fact *need* wider than normal coverage? Not all cameras have that. You didn't mention how large a print you need (even though it was asked above), therefore one cannot determine how many megapixels you need. Why would someone recommend a 6 mp camera if all you might need is a 4x6 print? Since you mention some personal use, is there any other feature that you would like to have? This might sound like I'm being picky, but the requirements you stated so far can potentially be met by literally hundreds of cameras. By providing a bit more info, it becomes possible to narrow it down a bit.

PhilR.

[Artist]

Sorry, duh

I know i want at least 4 MP I may print to 8x11, doubtful larger. I've looked closely at the fuji e550 and cannon a95 because both had excellent image quality reviews, where as the next grade down did not get such high marks. I'm willing to pay a little extra for MPs I may not really need if the camera has improved image quality (color distinction, detail) unless someone tells me that i won't be able to see the difference in my portfolio photos.

from what you said perhaps i don't need a wide angle, i can back up. BUT if you back up to get it all in VS use a wide angle to get it all in do you loose definition, image quality, detail or is it the other way? Remember I don't understand what alot of features do so i'm asking for general knowledge too.

i'd go with an slr like size but compact would be nice for personal use, again i read that as you decrease size you can loose image quality unless you pay big bucks

do i care about white balance control?

download format?

memory format?

I do care about shutter speed as i always screw up with cameras that lag after you push the button.

Anything else you feel i should take into consideration? THANKS