Chris, yes my camera (Vivatar ViviCam #3705B) has the macro setting and that is what I had it set to. Had the pen on my workbench and camera was about 1' away. I have a tripod somewhere (in my hunting stuff) that I need to dig out and see if that will help.
Been turning pens since middle of Oct. or so and didn't get the camera till late Nov. I may just stick with the pen turning. At least I know I can do that right most of the time.
I have been using HP Image Zone to adjust size of the pics. In that program, as you are adjusting size it tells you there on the screen the "Estimated Size". Well I adjusted to 148.80 KB and posted my first pic here the other day and it shows up really really small. When I went back to HP and checked on the properties it shows up at 32 KB. This is after telling me it was 148.8.
I only have about 8 hairs left on top of my ole noggin, and if work this next week doesn't take them all I may try the pic deal some more.