juniorgrower said:
So basically any camera that has a flower will work fine? The more zoom the better?
Kinda. If you want really good, up close photos then you need to find one that has a macro setting or, better yet, a lens used for up-close photography. The macro setting on the camera tends to have the symbol of a flower.
From Wikipedia on macrophotography:
"'Macro' lenses specifically designed for close-up work, with a long barrel for close focusing, are one of the most common tools for macrophotography. (Nikon designates such lenses as 'Micro' because of their original use in making microforms, but most lens makers use the term 'Macro' or 'Makro.') These lenses are optimized for high reproduction ratios. Most modern macro lenses can focus continuously to infinity as well, using complex focusing mechanisms that alter the optical formula. In most cases these lenses provide excellent optical quality when used for normal photography, although a macro lens may be optimized to provide its best performance at its highest magnification. True macro lenses, such as the Canon MP-E 65 mm f/2.8 or Minolta AF 3x-1x 1.7-2.8 Macro, can achieve higher magnification than life size, enabling photography of the structure of small insect eyes, snowflakes, and other minuscule objects. Others, such as the Infinity Photo-Optical's TS-160 can achieve magnifications from 0-18x on sensor, focusing from infinity down to 18mm from the object. However, macro lenses with 1:1 or 1:2 ratios are more common, and many of these find frequent use for general photography because of their excellent optics.
Macro lenses of different focal lengths find different uses:
Continuously Variable Focal Length suitable for virtually all macro subjects
4565 mm product photography, small objects that can be approached closely without causing undesirable influence, and scenes requiring natural background perspective
90105 mm insects, flowers, and small objects from a comfortable distance
150200 mm insects and other small animals where additional working distance is required"
My camera, for instance, does have the ability to use a variety of lenses but since it was a bit expensive it did a nice job of taking pictures of the nug I showed before. Though, there are a variety of digital cameras that you can now swap the lenses on so you can achieve a DSLR effect without the large body. As far as brands go, Nikon is the best in my opinion. Cheers!