Recommendations for food photography?

[helius]

Budget: Hopefully under US$500 for a non-dSLR (see last paragraph in post)

Size: Doesn't really matter

Optical zoom: Standard-ultrazoom

Image quality: 8 out of 10

Manual controls: Not a priority, but would be nice

General Usage:
I'm a culinary student, and am very new at photography. What I'm looking for is a decent camera that'll be used mostly to take pictures of food that I'll be preparing throughout culinary school and at home. Of course, it'd be nice if I could use it on the occasional road-trip or vacation, although this is of a much lower priority.

From what I gather, I think I need a camera with a good macro mode. I don't plan on printing many big prints of the photos, and the maximum size would be 8.5"x11" or smaller. As I've mentioned, taking pictures of food would mean that it'll be used mostly indoors, but I do see myself using it (far less frequently) to take shots of buildings and such to document places that I've been to such as farmer's markets. As far as sports/action stuff go, I probably won't be taking any of those.

I don't have any particular models/brands in mind just yet, and there aren't any particular brands that I like or hate. One option that I've been keeping in the back of my mind is the Canon digital rebel with a macro lens, but I keep thinking that it may be overkill for someone who doesn't know much about photography. Right now, I'm open to all suggestions. I'm looking to get it within the next few months, and am just collecting information. Thanks.

[dwig]

Manual Controls = Does matter!!

For any "studio" type work, particularily close work, you need some control beyond Program. While you don't necessarily need full manual and some camera's "Scene" modes may offer a closeup scene setting that adequate, you're better off with Aperture Priority, so you can force smaller f/stops for increased Depth-of-Field.

Beyond that, you just need a tripod and some lights. The on-camera flash in any camera, dSLR or P&S, just won't do.

[PhilR.]

I would agree w/dwig - while practically any of several hundred cameras will take pictures of food, it takes good lighting to take really good pictures, and the choice of camera isn't as important. You can take great pics with an inexpensive camera, if you are willing to learn how to control exposure and spend the money for good lighting.

Most cameras have macro mode good enough to take pics of food, however if you are planning on doing a lot of highly magnified close-ups, then you might consider a Nikon. A camera such as the Nikon 5400 will focus as close as 1/2". Speaking of the 5400 -- there is a $200 rebate right now, which brings the price down to around $200. This is one camera (out of many) that would satisfy your requirements quite handily. It is a metal-bodied 5mp camera with 4x zoom lens that starts at a wide-angle setting (good for land/cityscapes), has manual modes for more control over exposure settings, and has a hotshoe so that you can easily add an auxilliary flash. This last feature would allow you to take better pics when away from your home studio.

PhilR.

[Jack C]

Since you are not planning to publish your food photos in magazines, then get any digital camera that meets your fancy.

PhilR. is right about Nikons. Nikon does have great macro ability. I have a Nikon Coolpix 4500 and I solely use it for macro digital photos. I would like to add another thing. Get yourself a really good tripod. Nothing is worse than trying to take a macro picture in your hands.

I hope you know the effects of lighting on food. In the right kind of lighting, a photo your food will make people's mouth water. In the wrong kind of lighting, your photo will make people indifferent.

[gary_hendricks]

Hi Helius

I'd say that the Panasonic Lumix FZ20 is a great choice for food photography. :)