Job Site Camera

[Theshipstore]

Looking to buy a new camera for use at jobsite for taking pictures of cabinet installs and as well for the cabinet making stages.
I was just wondering what some of you are using for this purpose. My old camera has died and well its time for a new one.

Sal

 

[Frank Pellow]

My Nikon D40X with a Nikor 18-135 zoom lens has served me very well over the last three years.  It takes great pictures and seems to handle the abuse that I give it with no problems. 

I know that there have been a lot of advances since I purchased my camera, but I see no need for them.

 

[mishle]

A wide angle lens would help a lot. My favorite site for camera reviews is dpreview.com

 

[Frank Pellow]

A wide angle lens would help a lot. My favorite site for camera reviews is dpreview.com

Mine is not a true wide angle lens, but with 18mm, I can capture a lot of an object at a range that is good enoguh for me.

 

[mishle]

My zoom lens is 35-105 mm And I don't find it wide enough most of the time. I Think I could get by with an 18mm just fine.

 

[flair woodworks]

I often carry a Canon A590is (image stabilization) with me, but it's no longer made.  I'm really happy with it.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

I use a Canon SX10IS. It is the type that is one step below an SLR.  I like the fact that it is larger because it is easier too hold and keep steady. The image stabilization is great. Really good on batteries ( 4 AA) But you need to get good quality rechargeables.  Lens is 28mm - 560 zoom. It has a fold out screen that also rotates up / down. Really really useful. For shots in tight quarters, and shooting down on tables , etc. Not sure if it is still made , probably a slightly newer version available.

Seth

 

[Corwin]

My zoom lens is 35-105 mm And I don't find it wide enough most of the time. I Think I could get by with an 18mm just fine.

Keep in mind that 18mm on a digital camera is not equivalent to an 18mm lens on a 35mm format camera.  Similar to the Nikkor lens on Frank's D40, I have an 18 - 200mm Nikkor lens on my D80 which equates to 27 - 300mm on a 35mm format camera.  This is a nice all around camera and lens.  But, I would not recommend this expensive a camera for one to take photos at construction sites...  Get something much less expensive and also look for something with more of a wide angle lens.  There are just too many point and shoots to choose from that will do an adequate job for the task at hand.  

 

[mishle]

For reference I gave the 35mm equivalent specs on my lens. 

 

[woodguy7]

Panasonic TZ10

 

[fdengel]

Ryobi makes one specifically designed for job site use, which is sealed against dust and stuff that could damage most normal cameras if used on an active job site.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Looking to buy a new camera for use at jobsite for taking pictures of cabinet installs and as well for the cabinet making stages.
I was just wondering what some of you are using for this purpose. My old camera has died and well its time for a new one.

Sal

This is like saying I need a new car, it's far to vague.  You can take pictures with your phone, you can spend  a small fortune or anywhere in between.  Let these guys know a price range and give them an idea of your skill level and what you want to do.

 

[mastercabman]

I have a Panasonic DMC-FX35 . I really like it.Not big at all.10 MP .Very happy with the resolution.
As far as lens goes,you want a wide angle lens.The 35mm equivalent of my lens is 25mm witch is not bad at all for a P&S camera.
I would love to have a camera with a lens that would go from 20mm to 85mm(35mm equivalent)

 

[Theshipstore]

Brice  you are right , I am only looking to replace my old panasonic digital with something new....I was just asking what people were using for there jobsite photo's
Sal

 

[tiralie]

I use a Panasonic LX3 and a Nikon D60 with the kit lens.
I prefer the Nikon cause I got if for free so I am not so attached to it and I just abuse it.  The LX3 takes pictures that are at least as good,  it has a faster lens (F2.0) that allows you to shoot in lower light situations, shoots JPeg +RAW format to allow for digital dark room editing has a 24mm wide angle lens with a 16:9 aspect ratio and it is smaller and lighter.
I should be using it a lot more.
Tim

 

[Frank Pellow]

Brice   you are right , I am only looking to replace my old panasonic digital with something new....I was just asking what people were using for there jobsite photo's
Sal

If you take good care of your camera, like I do, you can use the same one for "job-site" photos that you use for "regular" photos.  

I keep my camera and a few accessories in a special compartmnet that I made for a systainer:

[attachthumb=#1]

To me, the whole world is a job site.  [big grin]

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Sal,

If i were in the construction or furniture building trade, I'd make sure the camera I bought either had interchangeable lenses or could go as wide as possible.  Many fixed lens cameras do not go very wide and this would make it very hard to document interiors, for example.  The Lx 3 that was mentioned before is one of the widest point and shoots that has been around, and was widely regarded for its qualities, but there is an lx5 out now.

However, the lx3 also had a removable Len cap instead of a built-in Lens closure mechanism.  It is a bit of a pain to deal with.

You might also want to look at the rugged-ized camera that are shock, dust and water resistant.

Terry

 

[semenza]

Maxing out the distance to get the most from the wide angle lens is one thing I like about the rotating screen on the SX10IS. By rotating the screen flat up or down you can hold it right against a wall and still see what you are doing. This gains a couple extra feet of distance for tight interior shots.

Seth

 

[Steve R]

In one of my former past careers, I did professional advertising photography. My first Pro job was shooting Bras for Target that is based here in MPLS, MN and they were not on a plastic female form. In the spirit of of the 4th of July let me just say GOD BLESS AMERICA.  OH...sorry I just started to wonder why I'm now doing high-end remodeling ... my female friend is really smart and she was able to explain why .... so I now remember why ... so .. back on track.

The best camera is the one that you will carry all the time. For some that is a point and shoot for other that is a SLR... a this point only digital cameras are in play.

In most homes you need wide angle and a lot of point and shoot cameras just don't have wide enough lens for shooting on site. In the workshop most point and shoots will likely work.

The point and shoots that you view screen on the back to see what you are shooting, are next to impossible to keep stable. So get stabilization features built in.  

An SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera will have the screen on the back but also a viewfinder. That you can put to your eye and put your arms against  your chest and get a better shot with. Also you can change lens.

I really like Nikon...but  there are many great cameras.

I leave a camera on site so that things get recorded.  I get pictures of any open wall before we rock over it so clients can look back on where pipes and Elect run. Also just daily shots to send to a client  to show progress and any surprises we encounter.

Everyone has access to it and they all know how to use it.

I keep the camera in a systainer along with the charger. That way it is kept dust free when we have to use not Festool product.  [sad]

cheers,
Steve

 

[peter halle]

I am not a photographer.  But I do notice the difference of the quality of images posted here and occasionally help others out with their images.

My youngest brother is very much into photography - even stereo photography - and a few years ago he gave me a Fujifilm F40fd camera.  He has given me several other cameras over the years and I have also bought some myself.

He had just returned from his honeymoon in South Africa (where my Mom was born and raised) and he had carried this camera, and his bride had carried the full blown Nikon high end rig.  His opinion was that for the average user and for average size prints, he was just as happy with the Fuji as the Nikon as far as quality.

I think that people over fixate on the number of pixels.  Unless you are going to blow an image into a poster size print, then frankly anything over 4M is overkill.  The features of the camera are more important.  One feature I like of the Fuji's is the ability to take a picture and have it automatically take one with flash and one without flash.  It really can come in handy inside.

I also consider the image coming out of a camera as a beginning.  To finish it you need, in my opinion, an editing program.  Buy the best one that you can afford.  I have had members send me their images and when I sent them back they said "How did you do that?"

Honestly I personally almost consider the editing program to be more important than the quality of the camera for most situations.

Sorry, that was my three point five cents worth.

Peter