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Best camera for accurate colour?

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Steve Andrews

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For taking photos of my paintings I have been using the camera on my Samsung tablet Tab A which I purchased a few years ago. I always thought and still do that it takes very good general photos.  However, I find that it does not always capture an accurate rendering of some colours when I compare to the original.  For instance a recent painting with  blue/grey gravel comes out looking more purple than it is in reality and spoils the painting. I have tried just about every setting and lighting I can think of  but cannot get it right and although able to change the offending colour on a computer, amending that one colour changes others. So I am thinking of getting a dedicated "proper" camera, perhaps a bridge model to also get the zoom.  I don't want an SLR needing separate lenses etc and I want to keep the cost down, max £500 but preferably lower. Can anyone suggest a camera that they know will be suitable for taking images of paintings with colour accuracy?  Thanks.

Alan Bickley

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You need to keep away from tablets and this sort of stuff, the camera lenses just don’t have the quality needed for magazine quality photos. I’ve got the same camera that Saatchi online use in their demo on how to photograph your paintings. Well actually it’s the later model, but same as virtually. It’s a Canon Power Shot SX720 HS which has a 49x optical zoom. I’m sure there are better one’s than mine, but a recommendation from Saatchi was good enough for me! I’ve had it a few years now, I paid around £400, maybe less. It’s produced quality photos for The Artist magazine, so I have no complaints. Of course, you do need good light, outside is best with a stable dull sky, sun must be avoided. Colours viewed on screen will only be as good as your monitor, if it’s not calibrated then it won’t be accurate! Hope this helps Steve. 
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Tony Auffret

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I photograph my paintings with a Nikon D90, but depending on the light, the results can be surprisingly variable.  'Auto' is rarely the best choice so I take a series of shots at different apertures and speeds, and, if needed, change the 'white balance' setting.  I pick the most authentic looking image and delete the rest, one benefit of digital cameras.  Even so there have been times when even the 'best' shot was disappointing, and I have had to resort to tweaking the brightness and contrast using photo manipulation software even though it feels like cheating. (I use GIMP, it's free and has more options than I can fathom).  Alan is right about the need for good light, outdoors, with flat even light, not a sunny day is the best but it is not always possible.  I have to confess there was one occasion when a quick 'auto' snap on my iPhone gave the best colour rendition, but I tend to think that was the exception that proves the rule.

Steve Andrews

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Thanks for the suggestions.  I'll do a bit of research but I particularly like the look of the canon powershot, given it's small size, powerful zoom and  of course relatively small price now at £199!  And Alan if you are happy that it is taking good accurate photos then that is the recommendation that I was looking for. I'll  also have a look at GIMP, thanks Tony.

Alan Bickley

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Well if you look in the current edition of The Artist, I’ve got a 4page feature, all the photo’s were taken with it. Yes, it fits into the pocket no problem, a quality camera that has actually reduced in price!
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmfCBIVgh5o May be of interest - 45 minute video about photographing paintings. 

Steve Andrews

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Well if you look in the current edition of The Artist, I’ve got a 4page feature, all the photo’s were taken with it. Yes, it fits into the pocket no problem, a quality camera that has actually reduced in price!
Alan Bickley on 18/06/2020 14:09:23
I'd  be interested to see them but don't  get that mag.  Is this the July issue?  Looks like the SX720 has been superceded twice by 730 and 740  but main improvements are just a tiltable screen and 4k video. And 720 now being heavily discounted so for around half the price I'm happy to forgo these as the actual image quality should be similar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmfCBIVgh5o May be of interest - 45 minute video about photographing paintings. 
Robert Jones, NAPA on 18/06/2020 15:15:31
Thanks Robert I'll be looking at the video with interest asap.

Alan Bickley

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Well the image quality in the newer upgrades will almost certainly be comparable.  It’s the Summer 2020 edition, which came out a week ago today. If you look under News in the headings on here, you will see The Artist magazine Summer cover highlighted.

Steve Andrews

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I am now the proud owner of a Cannon power shot sx720.  It came with a case and a small gorilla tripod.  All for £199.  Just waiting for the battery to charge up so I can try it out   :-)   thanks for all the advice everyone.

Alan Bickley

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Great stuff Steve, you’ll be delighted with it I’m sure. Yes mine also came with the gorilla tripod, but on checking, I paid almost £350, so we’ll done!
The Mirage - framed

Jane Peng

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If colour is your key concern, remember to shoot in RAW format as that'll make a massive difference in retaining image quality during post-processing. Another good thing to have around (depending on how much space you've got) are two lightboxes with 5500 Kelvin lighting.

Alan Morris

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Totally agree with Jane.  The only way to keep control of colour and image quality is to shoot in RAW.  I prefer to process in Lightroom but others prefer photoshop et.c.
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