Starsky & Hutch tribute diorama, and the camera gear I need for close-ups
My 1:24 Starsky & Hutch alley is almost ready, but GoPro close-ups just don't cut it. Here's what I've learned about filming dioramas, and what I'm considering next.
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The 1:24 Starsky & Hutch tribute is nearly finished. There's just one problem: every time I push my GoPro in close, the footage turns soft and distorted. So this post is half build update, half call for help.
The build in detail
It's a gritty 1970s alley behind a hardware store, with the famous red-and-white 1976 Ford Gran Torino parked out back. Two resin figures of the detectives are still in grey primer. The street is cobblestone, littered with oil drums, wooden crates, a fire hydrant and an old newspaper, and warm LEDs light the shop from inside.
Why the GoPro struggles
Action cams use ultra-wide fisheye lenses. Up close, that bends straight lines, makes everything equally sharp and gives you no background blur at all. On a diorama, that means every speck of dust is as crisp as the figures, and nothing feels like a real street.
For miniature work you want a focal length of about 50 to 100 mm (full-frame equivalent), a fast aperture of f/2.8 or wider, and proper manual focus.
What I'm considering
The shortlist is all mirrorless: a Sony ZV-E10, a second-hand Fujifilm X-T30, or a Canon M50 with a cheap 35 mm prime. Whichever body it becomes, a 60 mm macro lens is on the list too. If you film miniatures, I'd love to hear what you use. Drop a comment under the video.
