Camera's and Coin's

[dakra]

I've had some decent digital camera's in the past but nothing that could really take great pictures like the pictures I have seen around here. I'm getting tired of my scanner as it makes my coins look really lousy.

 

What camera do you guys recommend? If it is a particular camera you currently own, what is your trick to taking pictures of coins? Settings? Angels? Background?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Dave

[spy88]

Dave, I personally use a Canon G2 model with macro attachment lenses, but I think there are much better cameras out there that will take excellent close-up pics better then mine. I don't remember where I read it, but there is a model out there that has a 2X macro for really good close-ups.

 

All else being equal, I would suggest this be your priority for shopping---one with the best macro available. Almost all decent models over 3 mega pixels will have various modes, options for lighting, exposure, etc., but lots of them do not have a macro setting.

 

There is no "trick" to taking good pics with a good camera. It is just a matter of trial and error to figure out what works best for you. The best thing about a digi camera is its ability to take literally hundreds of pictures with various angles, lighting, exposure, shutter speed, etc., all within a short time period. Then you just erase the ones you don't like until you have the one that is as close to "in-hand" as the coin. Eventually, you will be able to do this within 10 to 20 pics to get a good one.

 

Lighting is very important---if not THE most important aspect to a good picture of a coin. I have used a OTT bulb for quite some time and am extremely impressed with its ability to give the right color to a coin (also with proper camera settings). I use a screw-in type bulb in a clamp-on desk lamp. This way, I can move the light around until I get just the right exposure and will shoot maybe 5 or 10 pics with different angles of "attack" for the light, then edit the card for the best one. If I am still not satisfied, I just do it until I get it right. But I save much time over a scanner and then software to enhance or clarify a pic. I have never used my scanner for posting a pic vs my camera---might be a good subject to thread!

 

Also wanted to show you a stand I made to hold the camera so I have at least one free hand to move around my light source. Sorry for the fuzzies---gotta be somewhere and in a hurry. You can see how the camera attaches to the cross wood piece by using the tripod mount hole and I can slide the camera up or down the rails depending on usage. Another key to good coin pics---a steady hand or a sturdy stand!!!

 

David

[jom]

Any Nikon. It's got the best MACRO lense around.

 

jom

[michael]

overall excellent and comments by everyone

 

also

 

spy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

michael

[spy88]

Made it back in one piece. Traffic is hello in Vegas!

 

Wanted to show off a 1941-S Jeff FS that Hoot fell in love with, so when you get home and back online, this is for you, Mark!

 

[chinook]

That nickel is a winner. SWEET

[spy88]

Thanks, Dave. I really like showing them and getting feedback out of it. As raw Jeffs are the only thing I collect aside from ASEs, I usually have very little to comment on regarding other series---their grade, value or background is not at the top of my interests but always like to look at great coins, no matter what they are!

 

David

[coinpage-migration]

Get a camera with a Macro focus range of 3cm or less. It lets you get real close to the coin and still stay in focus.

 

 

 

Nikon Coolpix 950 at DPReview DP Review is a good place to do camera research.

 

MIke B.

[dakra]

Thanks for all the info, I've been researching similar camera's and may purchase one this weekend. Hopefully I will follow up on Saturday or Sunday with some pics.

 

-Dave

[Leothelion]

Here's the camera I use. I won't recommend it as I have little info on other cameras. But this one has been a blessing. It's been 3 years since I bought it and it was a $1000 at that time but I paid only $275 through some store rebates and it was also a shelf display model. So I can't tell you how stressed out I'd become when one of my kids gets a hold of it and wants to take pictures. I aim and shoot with a steady hand thanks to the digital stabilization system to minimize camera shake. This camera also takes 60 sec. movies. Neat, huh!

 

Leo

[dakra]

Here it is!!!! I purchased the Minolta DimAge Z1. it can get as close as 4cm and is 3.2 megapixels. It's wasn't actually my first choice but after taking into consideration the other camera's I have had, I had a good feel this one would last longer!

 

I took about 5 shots of the attached Morgan, I didn't try to push the envelope yet.

 

Dave

 

 

PS getting it to a small enough size to upload was difficult.

[goose3]

I was thinking recently about buying a new cam too.

I have an old Mavica FD83.

 

i want something that will take nice pics like those nickel pics above as well as fantastic pics of my kids/family!

 

I was sort of looking at the sony CD Mavica 5000 and some members across the street recommended the Olympus Camedia 5050

[dakra]

I looked at the Olympus Camedia 5050, but kept my choices between the Olympus C4000, the Nikon Coolpix 4300 and the Minolta DiMage Z12. They were reasonably priced.

 

Quite a few years ago, I loved my Ricoh 35mm SLR camera and I was never satisfied with digital camera's. I figured they had their use but could never beat a real SLR camera. So far with the Minolta, I'm pretty satisfied and that's with only an hour or so of playing with it.

 

One more pic attached.

 

Thanks,

Dave

[IrishMike]

Goose I have both a Nikon and the Olympus C-5050 Zoom and much prefer the Olympus. Great macro and all around great camera and the price has come way down.

[goose3]

Mike

do you use the 5050 as a normal camera too? how do the pics turn out when you have them made into prints somewhere?

 

 

 

Maybe I missed it but what kind of camera took those shots of the jefferson nickel towards the top of this thread????

[goose3]

SPY88

check this link out and tell me if it is comparable to yours. It seems as though the G2 is no longer made according to the linked site. I am assuming that this one is a new and improved version. Any comments would surely be appreciated!

 

are you able to edit (delete) pics you don't want as you go on the camera?

 

G5

[IrishMike]

Goose you can edit pictures on the fly i.e. delete them. The Olympus is a great family picture camers, if you have a decent printer you can print up your own photos and unless you are a pro its hard to tell the difference.

[spy88]

Goose, I have no info on the G5 Canon but according to the link, it seems to have everything mine has and then some. Yes, the G2 model is no longer available. I bought mine off eBay quite awhile ago for $325 then needed to buy a macro tube with macro lenses. With these and the G2 in macro setting, I can get pretty close for a good pic. I also use a 2" reading magnifier in front of the lens with the camera at 11X telephoto to get shots of steps on Jeffs.

 

Now there are cameras out there that have basically all the abilities of mine but without the need to add to it for closeups. The G3 and G4 also were updated models of the G2.

 

Someday, I may get a different camera, but I have to much time and money invested in my G2 to do so just yet. Also, I know exactly what I can expect from mine when I use it---no surprises and no fooling around with different settings. Done it all so much already, I can get excellent shots of coins within 4 or 5 pics. Pretty sure all the "G" models have the edit feature. Problem with this is if you take a bunch of pics and write them down for reference, then edit out some then ADD pics to what you kept from the first shooting, your list will get messed up. The camera doesn't shoot one pic and put it at the end of the list or keep the ones you had in the same order. Gonna have to work on this as there is a way to title/number the pics to the smartcard. Too lazy.

 

David