Good camera for a carpenter/contractor?

[crow0806]

<p>The contractor wants a good camera to display his work for remodeled kitchens and baths so he can make more money. A point and shoot is adequate for small photos, but he may want to display his work on the wall so I would recommend a DSLR (think quality photos). Kitchens and baths are often quite narrow, so a wide angle is mandatory. I shoot film and an 18-35 works great for interior photos, although I run into distortion below 20mm. I don't know what that works out to for digital. </p>

[BelaMolnar]

<p>I shoot interiors, small apartments, etc, I can highly recommend a Nikon D40 with the Sigma 10-20mm lens. It give you a 15mm wide angle view, ( in 35mm format ) you really need. Anything els . . . is . . . u s e l e s s . . . . in small places, specially in kitchens. And the combo is not expensive at all. You better to belive me. !</p>

[danbliss]

<p>I'd go with with the Panasonic LX3 (I know that Panasonic is not Nikon). I have one and it is great little camera that has a fast (f/2) wide lens (24mm-60mm full frame equivalent). Add the DMW-LW46 conversion lens and is even wider (18mm full frame equivalent). It also has a hot shoe, so you can hook up a real flash. It would be hard to beat it without going to an SLR. Actually, it probably beats some of the cheaper SLRs. </p>

[dansutton]

<p>in my opinion, i don't think that i would recommend a SLR. If s/he is not into photography, the SLR will seem cumbersome, ornery and completely overqualified for the job. i don't see any reason to insist on a nikon point and shoot, as our own brand loyalties and ridiculous biases are irrelevant to someone who wants to document their work. It seems that if he wanted a more polished look with proper lighting setups and a professional veneer, he might be better off contracting your competent services without the high cost of equipment. just my two cents, but have you thought to light and photograph his work for money? i only suggest for money as favors between friends become tedious at best, with either one having different expactations and dedication to the job. If he wants simple pictures, get a point and shoot and focus on carpentry; if he wants a professional photo shoot, hire a professional. But either way, if photography is not a hobby of his/hers, f-stops, exposure, dynamic range and expensive lighting setups are completely irrelevant and superfluous to his design, it seems.</p>

[joe_a2]

<p>Not quite sure how the Auto setting on a D40 is any more complicated than Auto on a P&S. They both require exposure compensation override (very simple) for the best results. Get the D40/18-55.</p>

[MTC Photography]

<p>Panasonic DMW-LW46 is a superb wide angle conversion lens, it can be used with all zoom range of LX3 (24-60MM) and turns the LX3 into a 18mm-42mm zoom lens camera. And the distortion of LW46 is low<P><br>

Some sample photos with LX3+LW46:<p><br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8784111-md.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8765212-md.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8765312-md.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[MTC Photography]

<p>Panasonic DMW-LW46 is a superb wide angle conversion lens, it can be used with all zoom range of LX3 (24-60MM) and turns the LX3 into a 18mm-42mm zoom lens camera. And the distortion of LW46 is low<P><br>

Some sample photos with LX3+LW46:<p><br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8784111-md.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8765212-md.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8765312-md.jpg" alt="" /></p>