A waterproof camera might be the answer, then you can at least wash the oil off. Most are also dustproof and waterproof.

For a simpler and cheaper ones look at those that are made for children.

Location: Oxfordshire

Andrew,

If you're going to buy online, I can highly recommend Wex Photographic in Norwich. They're an excellent company to deal with and offer both new and used cameras and other photographic equipment - check out their website. I subscribe to 'Which' consumers magazine and Wex were voted 'Best Online Shop' of 2014, beating the likes of John Lewis who are also very highly regarded.

http://www.wexphotographic.com

http://www.wexphotographic.com/cameras/c2017

Jeff.

Location: Almost but not quite, the far North East of England

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR USEFUL INFORMATION ,SOME OF THE THINGS I HAD NOT CONSIDERED, WILL START TO LOOK AROUND ARMED WITH THE IDEAS GIVEN.

I HAVE BOOKMARKED THAT WEB SITE JEFF,

ANDREW

I had a spell writing for a woodwork magazine. His "pro tips" were to use ANY digital camera BUT to keep it in a box to keep the dust off when not in use and to always use a tripod.

Something else to consider is that in the last few years cameras have been able to "see in the dark" better than people. With a good camera you no longer need a flash...

I've had one of these (Sony DX100) the last two years and been delighted with it:

http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx100-hd-1080p-20-2mp-3-6x-optical-zoom-3-lcd-screen-black/p231683057?sku=231683057&kpid=231683057&s_kenid=31738fc1-e5d0-ebe8-e3e3-000018271dee&s_kwcid=402x22548&tmad=c&tmcampid=73&kpid=231683057

Excellent with low light and wide angles.

David

My dad is a "camera every year" person and a big fan of WEX in Norwich also.

If not taking for a magazine don't bother with the tripod.

If wanting to take a magazine COVER that's another game entirely...beyond me... My articles were of the hands-on step-by-step type with a couple of photos of it all finished for the header.

David

The case (link below) seems expensive but I was so pleased with it than when I lost the front section I bought another. A friend with the same camera was delighted with the base and strap. What I do now is if "out and about" taking a lot of pictures I remove the front and leave it in the car or a pocket.

The case and camera have an "old fashioned feel". The camera is metal, the controls are solid, the screw fixture is firm, the two poppers on the cover have different resistance, the strap hasn't worn. "They do make them like they used to" but at the same sort of price that they used to be. The camera it replaced was also a Sony, also with a case, and they're still going strong 12 years on. I'm pleased with the upgrade and could think "every ten years isn't so bad for a camera" when handing over the money for it.

http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-lcj-rxf-camera-case-for-sony-cyber-shot-rx100-i-ii-iii/p1929690?sku=234321433&kpid=234321433&s_kenid=31738fc1-e5d0-ebe8-e3e3-000018271dee&s_kwcid=402x23870&tmad=c&tmcampid=73&kpid=234321433

Sorry David, neither of those John Lewis links works.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

The term to google is "Sony RX 100"

Let's see if the Amazon link works better:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Cybershot-DSC-RX100-Digital-Optical-Black/dp/B008CNMZDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428498991&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+100+rx

This should give the range of cases:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=case%20for%20sony%20rx%20100&sprefix=case+for+sony+rx+1%2Caps

Something else I remembered - can use a torch for extra light.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a flash. On the little cameras/phones they make all the pictures look terrible. For taking pictures of car building things you don't need one, other light sources will work as David mentions. If I am in the garage and need extra light I have inspection lamps on leads that work fine. Most of the little cameras will have a little flash these days. I just set mine to be off all the time (I think most default to automatic).

I have nearly 2500 pictures of my Austin 7 build in my gallery now and I think there would be very few flash pictures in there at all.

That said you do have to be practiced at holding the camera steady at slower shutter speeds! I take a lot of film photos still so I get a lot of practice there.

Simon

Location: Auckland

I use the camera on my fairly basic nokia mobile phone,no flash but seems to work at most light levels.
Using the zoom tends to lose's detail, but as its usually in my pocket its always handy.
We also have a basic Sony camera with viewfinder which is looking a bit battered but still takes great pictures.
Andy