Cameras

[Ken Chappell]

We are looking into purchasing upgraded digital cameras for our Crime Scene Unit.
These will need to be multi-functional. Auto (everything) is nice but they will need to be able to switch to manual functions as well.
Overall crime scene work but also capable for fingerprint close-ups too.
What are you using and do you have any suggesstions?
Thanks in advance.

[SConner]

What equipment are you currently using? What equipment are your personnel currently familiar with?

[josher89]

We are using a Canon 60D (that has the ability to record HD video) with the stock 18-55mm lens. We also purchased the Canon 100mm Macro lens for all of our latent work. The rear viewfinder is articulating so we can put in on a tripod on a table and still see the image. The off-shoe shutter release cable runs around 10 bucks and works great for hands-off-body long exposure images. It takes an SD card (it'll handle SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory) so no more of the large, CF cards that the old Canon's used. I'm really impressed with it's ability to capture close-up images and the fact that you can take a JPG and CR2 at the same time is a plus (one for a quick photo log proof sheet for the case file) and one to work on enhancements with. I'm guessing with most DLSR's you get what you pay for although at some point, your payout isn't worth the input (there's no need to buy a $6000 lens when a $600 will work fine). I think all told with card and extra battery, we have about $1500 in the camera. I've never used the video for casework but it does take great video.

[Neville]

We have the same package as you josher89 except on advise from our Photographic Section and people I trust both here in NZ and on this site we got the 50mm macro lens for close up (as I remember it it was considerably cheaper than the 100mm) This package was then ordered for every SOCO office in the greater Auckland area.

TWO YEARS AGO THIS IS WHAT WE PAID IN NEW ZEALAND DOLLARS account discount applied.

My recommendations would be to purchase from Canon the
600DKIS SLR camera along with the standard 18-55mm lenses kit $945-00
50mm Macro lenses C21-1191-201 $423-88
Remote cable release RS60-E3 $ 26-06
Spare battery LPE8 $ 58-67
External flash 320EX $293-45
TOTAL $1747-06

We also purchase a good tripod, SD card and backpack bag for the camera from a different source.

We had problems with colour casting until we realised the camera was set on daylight so we changed it to auto and have had no issues inside since.

We are very happy with it all. Some staff still use their point and shoot cameras also.

[Ken Chappell]

We looked into Josher's post and the Canon D60 does look like a workhorse of a camera system and right now (post Christmas) they are on sale which probably won't last long enough to get a purchase order approved. (That's a government joke for those that don't work in the government, sad but true tho' )
Anyway, Thanks for the exellent suggestion and if anyone wants to make other suggestions we will look into those as well.

KC _____