Cameras with rotating lenses/bodies?

[reader4]

I am looking for a camera with rotating lens "head" or body. I currently have a Coolpix 995 but need to upgrade. Aside from the old Coolpix 9xx models, I am aware only of the Sony DSC-F828 with a similar rotating feature. The camera will be used most for laboratory sample imaging and intraprocedural pictures - having the rotating head is a requirement to be able to reach over the top of a body cavity and see what you are taking a picture of!

A rotating LCD screen would be a good second option, but the ergonomics are not as nice.

Thanks for your help!

[griptape]

I may be an idiot, but I think I speak for a lot of people when I say "What the f**** are you talking about?"

[bauerman]

I may be an idiot, but I think I speak for a lot of people when I say "What the f**** are you talking about?"

You have never seen or used an older Nikon Coolpix or a Sony 717 or 828 have you? ;)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscf828/

They had rotating or shifting body structures rather than just movable LCD's. They were pretty handy to be honest but (to the OP) I',m not sure off the top of my head if a current company is still producing such a model.

[reader4]

I may be an idiot

Sounds reasonable.

[David Metsky]

Canon S5 and A650.

[bauerman]

Canon S5 and A650.

Neither of these models have rotating bodies/lenses....not sure why you posted them.

[David Metsky]

Because they have rotating LCDs which was listed as the second option, and frankly, are his best options in the current market space.

[reader4]

They both have rotating LCD screens, which I am trying to avoid, but it isn't looking good. I may have to buy an outdated camera just to get what I want. :rolleyes:

[David Metsky]

They both have rotating LCD screens, which I am trying to avoid, but it isn't looking good. I may have to buy an outdated camera just to get what I want. :rolleyes:

Have you tried using the rotating LCDs? What can you do with the CoolPix 995 that you can't do with an A650?

[griptape]

I guess the real question is what EXACTLY are you trying to do?

[AndyfromVA]

The Nikon Coolpix 995 had a split body that swiveled. See http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp995/page3.asp

I don't know of any camera that does that now.

[K1W1]

I am looking for a camera with rotating lens "head" or body. I currently have a Coolpix 995 but need to upgrade.

The only one I am aware of the is still around is the Nikon S10 (http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=973-2aa3b64a6a). Rotating bodies seem to have gone out of fashion.

[KCook]

I have the Canon S3 with that articulating/rotating/swivel/twist/whateveryawannacallit LCD. Agree completely with David, it will do the job needed here. Just takes a little getting used to.

Kelly

[K1W1]

I have the Canon S3 with that articulating/rotating/swivel/twist/whateveryawannacallit LCD. Agree completely with David, it will do the job needed here. Just takes a little getting used to.

Kelly


The OP is aware of that. They said in the original post that that solution was a second choice and that they wanted to know if there were still cameras with BODIES that rotate available.

[David Metsky]

The OP is aware of that. They said in the original post that that solution was a second choice and that they wanted to know if there were still cameras with BODIES that rotate available.
I understand the request, but I don't understand the practical difference between a rotating lens/body and a rotating LCD; they achieve the same results. If the OP could explain why he believes the rotating LCD doesn't meet his needs we can either dispel that belief or suggest ways to work around it. There just are very few options for a rotating body these days.

[reader4]

The practical difference is that when you are standing with several people around an open body cavity demonstrating new surgical techniques, it is desirable to record some candid shots without having a big setup in the OR. The rotating head/body design allowed us to hold the camera naturally (fingers in front, thumb on back), which allowed adjustment of exposure, setting macro function on/off, etc. while positioning the camera at arm's length of above the head. The camera head could be rotated down to view the space below while allowing us to see the viewfinder from behind. Similarly, we often used the ability to have the camera look up while we looked down at the viewfinder, or to occasionally look into a body cavity (rostral/caudal) while we stood over it (only in cadavers) or to the side with the camera tilted. We also used the rotating head for slide images on the benchtop with a simple tripod stand. None of those positions is as easy or convenient with typical camera setups, and our research was not limited to medical procedures, but also with engineering device setups on an optical bench, inside engine compartments and other tight spaces, etc.

Outside of research, ask anyone who has tried to shoot pictures over a crowd of people hoping to get a good random shot. Or, how about pictures from the ground looking up a flowers, or the sky, or anything else bottom-up. There are actually many situations (self pictures, reaching around a ledge/water to image the side/shore/etc.) when the rotating viewfinder is helpful, but is not nearly as convenient as the rotating head. Try adjusting exposure from that position - yes it can be done, but it was often easier to have the body ergonomics separate from the lens head. Now, rotating the lens means rotating the body, even if the viewfinder lets you see.

I'm surprised at how many have never seen one of these or considered their use. They were ubiquitous in our research labs several years ago.


K1W1: Thanks for the link. I had not found that one yet and will definitely check it out!

[KCook]

Anudder thought ... We are now seeing touch screen controls on a few cameras (mostly Sony). If somebody combined the twist type LCD and touch screen controls in the same camera this would meet at least some of your requirements?

Just thinking out loud,
Kelly

[David Metsky]

I haven't really noticed the problem with my S3 - I can adjust the exposure, ISO, and other things fairly easily while the camera is at arms length. I never used a rotating body camera so I can't say how close it is to that but I've never had a problem doing exactly what I wanted with just the rotating LCD. I'll take your word that it's not as convenient.

The bottom line is there are almost none of those made anymore, and few rotating LCD models. It's not something the general public has found be worth the complexity, cost, and size.

The Nikon mentioned below is discontinued, but it looks like Beach Camera still has some in stock.