So what is the best paranormal investigation cameras?

Yesterday a club member was looking for a camera, and then another one. Last night two more (sorry I didn’t get to them until this morning) email popped in my box about what is the best camera to capture paranormal activity.

Good question. Simple answer, the best SLR or low light point and shoot you can afford.

There really isn’t a “paranormal” camera. None of the major camera makers make a “paranormal investigators” camera. Then what to do? The best camera for paranormal investigating is any SLR, all the big names have great cameras, Sony,Nikon, Cannon….they all can be purchased with the same options. What it will probably come down to, is options and price. You want the highest megapixels that you can afford . The good cameras made in 2013 don’t go lower than 18 megapixels and some (very expensive), cameras go as high as 80 (professionals use these cameras, but mostly scientists use them). The Nokia Lumina cell phone is the top of the cell phones, and has 41 megapixels! However, a cell phone does not have a good lens, and flexibility of use isn’t there.

Paranormal investigating means you will be doing several things. You will need sharp resolution, as taking pictures in the dark will put you at a disadvantage of seeing things sharply and clearly to begin with. You will be taking pictures in low light, and will have the lens left open for longer periods of time.

You want a high megapixel camera,with low light (or SLR), image stabilization, and controlled flash (preferably with options as to flash intensity) digital camera. Zoom, large and clear view screens, and night time settings make it even better. Other options include GPS (for marking exactly where the picture was taken) and Wi-Fi so you can send it to your friends right after you capture that ghost! The only problem with these great options is they drain the battery quickly.

Buy the best quality you can. My camera (and binoculars) are made of Zeiss glass. It is the highest quality glass, and the clearest glass out there. When buying any product with a lens of any sort, look for the Zeiss name. Yes it will cost more, but it will be worth it.

Another good thing to have is a tripod…a must if it is an SLR. The SLR’s won’t “create” orbs and are the best for taking pictures in darkness. I learned how to use one years ago, and if I learned, anyone can. You know longer have to worry about film speed and whether to use the flash. Technology has come a long way.

Remember that bigger lenses soak up light on the way to the lens. You can’t get great light at long distance (zoom) so you will need to compromise there. Most paranormal investigation photos are closer by however, and this won’t be an issue.

The best rated low light cameras (latest models) are listed here. Let me start with the best medium format. The one who tops all in all categories, and yes, is EXPENSIVE. You do pay for having all that fancy stuff working together. It is the Pentax645D. It costs $6,996, but has 41 megapixels. A little out of most people’s price range.

Full frame cameras are a little better pricewise.  The Nikon D800E is the best image quality camera out there right now. It is Around $2800 and can be more expensive if you add expensive lenses. The Nikons hold all the top spots here on current models, but if you don’t want a Nikon, the next best is a Cannon 1DX, at about $3500.00. Nikon holds the throne this year, next year may be different, so always check professional reviews!

The best point and shoot is the Olympus OMDEM5. It is pricey at about $950, but the best in the category. There is also a Pansonic DMCG5 at about $500 and a Canon Powershot G1X at $600.

These are all the best “low noise” cameras.

Now, since we are not all rolling in dough , we have to be more realistic. So who makes the best affordable cameras for those of us who don’t have Sy-Fy or Travel Channel finding our cameras?

I can tell you the best for video is Sony Cybershot DX100. My son found that one and it was so “upscale” I had to buy it from a camera store. However, if you don’t have Mom funding your birthday presents , here are some options:

Nikon Coolpix (there are several models). The top for MP, is a 20.1 megapixel camera for about $150.00. It doesn’t have the best low light resolution though. Those cameras cost about $350-450.
The winners there are the Coolpix S9200, and several of the Sony Cybershots. ($200-600).

When shopping for these cameras, you will see a little candle icon and there will be information on what depth of shadow the camera can shoot in. Many are close, the price difference is mostly in the  other features such as smile recognition, panoramic, etc. The bigger the zoom, the lower the night “vision” for reasons we discussed earlier, so it all depends on what you want to do.

My camera has features I have yet to use, like the smile recognition and panoramic photo viewing. It also has options for creating effects, making the screen and photo lighter or darker before taking the picture, low light settings, a Zeiss lens, zoom, controlled and varied flash, low light options, ability to crop on the camera, and the usual like Wi-Fi and GPS. It has not disappointed me. It is the Coolpix S9200. I paid $370, but have seen them now for $350 (the newer technology comes along quickly in the camera world).

The best for dark conditions however remains an SLR , not a pint and shoot, where you can leave the lens open for long periods of time. Don’t buy any camera below 16 megapixels (it is hard to find a current model below that anyway). Some cameras have IR blocking filters on them, this doesn’t allow the camera to “see” IR light, so if you are adding IR lights to make the photos even more clear, make sure the camera doesn’t have an IR blocker. People can buy an “IR” seeing camera right out of the box, the best is a Fuji S2.

Buying a camera is complicated, and what works best for you, doesn’t always work best for others. You may need a camera just for paranormal investigations. My husband owns a camera for investigations and one for bird watching. The bird watching camera needs “distance” or zoom and a longer lens, this is anathema to taking pictures in the dark. He has two completely different cameras with 2 different set ups and neither would do well in the other’s use. They are both great cameras, but if the “bird watching camera” went investigating it would be terrible….as far as taking bird pictures though, it is excellent.

Most camera buffs have several cameras, certain cameras are meant for certain uses, and when you have a hobby, you most likely have different types of the same equipment made to do what you need it to do! I have two sewing machines, so it isn’t just photography.

The best thing to do before buying,  is to visit a camera store or chain that has specialists. Best Buy has been VERY helpful to us and has given us great advice, up to and including, telling me I had to go to a camera store to get my son’s camera (which the salesman then decided he also needed). You can also go online and read reviews and comparisons from photo magazines and websites.Do NOT go to a specific manufacturer’s website, after all they will all tell you they have the best.  Do your research, it is a lot on money to spend to not get great pictures and you just may miss an awesome opportunity! You can’t make that spirit appear again!

That said, spend as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to sell or trade up as your go along. Buy a big name camera and you will be fine, they all have the same technology these days, but buy the best you can afford, then learn how to really use the camera. Test it in various settings BEFORE the paranormal investigation, learn it well so you can use it in the dark!

Remember also that just because a place is a “ghost hunting” store, doesn’t mean they have anything different than Best Buy or a camera shop. Make sure you are getting what they are advertising.No major manufacturer makes a “paranormal investigating” camera. (Maybe one will and make a fortune). When the camera or any equipment you buy , is modified, remember that the manufacturer will NOT warranty the item, so make sure you can afford to lose the price of the equipment. Lots of “ghost equipment sites” would love your money, but remember they are usually selling items that you can buy anywhere and everywhere.

Happy shooting!

(we’ll get to other equipment some day soon!)

Peshaui Wequashimese

(C)2013 Dr R M Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.