Are you using the in-game cameraman mode or a mod? The normal, ingame one doesn't let you get too close without clipping. Personally, I use Gunmod's Camera mod (from MTS2). Lets me get niiiice and close.
In build mode, there's an icon of a square you can click to change your view from straight on to aerial. I hope that makes sense. It's kind of hard for me to show without a screen cap.
ah great, thanks for the advice