recommended camera for coin photography

[Crohnos01]

I apologize if this exists as a thread somewhere. I did a search and got some information on lenses that people use, and one or two cameras mentioned that people are using, but I didn't find anything as far as a recommended camera for coin photography.

 

Basically, I have come to the conclusion that my existing camera isn't going to work for doing coin photography, and I thought perhaps I could use my scanner, but that doesn't work for capturing the more subtle finishes on the coins....

 

So, I have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to buy a camera more suitable for coin photography. What i was trying to figure out is what a good camera, capable of decent macro photography might be without blowing my coin budged (I'd rather plunk down $500 on a coin than a camera.... not that I won't if that's what it requires, but I'd rather have a nice quarter eagle....) What is the best bang for the buck on a camera suitable for taking coin photos?

 

 

[jom]

Buy Mark Goodman's book first.

 

jom

[Crohnos01]

Thanks Jom. Just ordered it tonight.

[Frank Provasek]

Are you trying to make artistic photos, or commercial photos, or just decent photos to place on the web? If the latter, most $100 point and shoot cameras with a macro setting will produce acceptable results. I use a Sony 7.2 Megapixel Cybershot that's 3 years old.

[brg5658]

I apologize if this exists as a thread somewhere. I did a search and got some information on lenses that people use, and one or two cameras mentioned that people are using, but I didn't find anything as far as a recommended camera for coin photography.

 

Basically, I have come to the conclusion that my existing camera isn't going to work for doing coin photography, and I thought perhaps I could use my scanner, but that doesn't work for capturing the more subtle finishes on the coins....

 

So, I have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to buy a camera more suitable for coin photography. What i was trying to figure out is what a good camera, capable of decent macro photography might be without blowing my coin budged (I'd rather plunk down $500 on a coin than a camera.... not that I won't if that's what it requires, but I'd rather have a nice quarter eagle....) What is the best bang for the buck on a camera suitable for taking coin photos?

 

 

Crohnos01,

 

As a couple others have mentioned, it really depends on your purpose. Do you simply want decent shots for your Registry? Do you want to photograph coins for selling on your website or on another site (e.g., eBay)? Or do you want to be a professional or semi-professional photographer specializing in numismatic items?

 

The level of quality needed depends on your intended use.

 

My "affordable camera" experiences:

I currently have 5 cameras that I have used at one time or another for coin photography. My favorite point and shoot (i.e., affordable) camera is my Canon SD1400IS. It is very small, and when mounted on a reasonable copy stand and using 2-3 gooseneck lamps it gives decent quality images. It has a "macro" setting, allows for time-delayed image capture (2 second or 10 second timer -- this is important to avoid shake), and it is a 14MP camera so allows for decently sized images even when cropped. I picked it up at Best Buy about 1.5 yrs ago for around $140. Below are some example images with that camera on different metal composition pieces:

 

 

My "more expensive" experience:

I own a Canon 50D digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The body (with no lenses) cost me around the $1000 range. I had already purchased this camera for use as a hobby and because I occasionally photograph weddings, personal portraits, and senior photos. A decent dedicated macro lens will cost you anywhere from $400-$1000 in addition to the $1000 for the "body" of the camera.

 

Because I didn't want to spend $1000 on a dedicated macro lens for coin photography, I purchased a bellows system ($120), and have been using enlarging lenses (most are $30-$80). The bellows allows you flexibility to expand or shrink your focusing distance (for smaller or larger coins). Enlarging lenses are optimal for numismatic photography because they are designed to ensure sharp details from corner to corner in the image (they are originally intended to enlarge small film negatives to large prints on photo sensitive paper). These types of lenses are very affordable, with decent quality achieved in the $30, and the absolute top-notch quality possible with an enlarging lens in the $200 range. Mark Goodman has a very nice section of his website devoted to test of such lenses (see link here). I would also encourage you to browse his website and read the optics articles ( Mark Goodman's Website).

 

This kind of set-up, or any more professional set-up beyond a point-and-shoot camera is really specialistic. I find it highly fascinating, but it is not for everyone. Again, it depends on your need for the image quality or level of close-up. Below are just a few shots I have made with the bellows set-up I describe above. You can see how close you are able to image coins with this kind of equipment.

 

 

I hope this helps a little. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

-Brandon

 

 

[jom]

Just to toss in an alternative to the above. I use:

 

Nikon 3100

Tokina Macro Lense

Copy stand I found on eBay very cheap

A couple of OTT lights

 

Probably $1300 total....

 

 

 

jom

[Crohnos01]

Wow....those are impressive photos! Thanks jom/brg....

 

Yeah, I am thinking mostly I want to photograph coins to share on websites such as this and maybe for selling extra common dates from my grandmothers collection as was suggested in a different thread...

 

So $1000 (cough, cough) is a wee bit more than I was hoping to spend.... The camera I have has a macro function and delay timer, but I find it difficult to get a good focus on the coin, fill the field on the screen, and not interfere with the OTT lights I have set up.... Maybe its just the way I have my stuff set up. Also, there is no white balance option on the camera, which I have seen talked about ad being important. Maybe Mark Goodmans book will help me out (thanks again for the referral jom)... I also have problems with trying to get enough light on the coins, and when I do, I end up with glare on the holders....I feel like a monkey with a football.....

 

[brg5658]

Can you post or PM me the brand and model of your point and shoot? I will do a little footwork for you if you'd like me to try to help you a bit more.

 

-Brandon

[bsshog40]

As mentioned it depends on what you'll use the camera for other than pics. I bought my canon IS S3 specifically for taking my coin pics because it had a super-macro which focuces in 0". They are a little cheaper now as its a few yrs old. I would like to upgrade to a camera I can change lenses out one day so I can use it on my telescope also. I get decent pics with it tho'.

[jom]

I'm sure some of you guys are FAR better than I with photography but I don't think the camera will make THAT much of a difference.

 

I used a Nikon Coolpix 950 for years and the problem I had was getting the light on the coin. Why? The camera was too close so some sort of lens was needed...AND something to hold the damn camera ie Copystand.

 

I solved both but I went ahead and got a Dig SLR since my 950 was 10 years old. Then adding the Macro lens was easy. Adding a lens to a P/S didn't work too well for me.

 

jom

[brg5658]

I'm sure some of you guys are FAR better than I with photography but I don't think the camera will make THAT much of a difference.

 

I used a Nikon Coolpix 950 for years and the problem I had was getting the light on the coin. Why? The camera was too close so some sort of lens was needed...AND something to hold the damn camera ie Copystand.

 

I solved both but I went ahead and got a Dig SLR since my 950 was 10 years old. Then adding the Macro lens was easy. Adding a lens to a P/S didn't work too well for me.

 

jom

 

I agree with jom, for your needs you do not need to drop big bucks. Based on the information you sent me, the camera you have now will work just fine. I will be in touch via PM with you, and we can post some details on the public space also as we get things working for you Crohnos.

 

-Brandon

[Chris1976]

I use a Fuji S2950 that I got from Target for around $300 (year and a half ago) with a cheap $5 Tripod (from a thrift store) and some walmart can lights with Coil style bulbs.

 

 

 

 

 

While it is far from professional quality, it is definately better than I used to do with my old point and shoot camera

 

here are a couple pictures from my old camera on its best attempts

 

 

[Crohnos01]

Wow.. those look better than anything I have been able to produce. I see you have a reflective box setup which may be something I need to look at... Your lights are massive! How do you keep your camera from creating a shadow on the coin?

[jom]

The camera needs to be farther away...hence the Marco lens. That is exactly the problem I had with the point and shoot camera....no lens.

 

jom

[Chris1976]

I've never had to be further away than 10 inches. The camera sits under the lights and since it does not stick out far into the box there's never been a shadow.

[jom]

I've never had to be further away than 10 inches. The camera sits under the lights and since it does not stick out far into the box there's never been a shadow.

 

When I was using a P/S camera I was far closer than that....I needed a real lens but some of the things you can do with a P/S type just don't work well enough. So since I needed a new camera anyway I went with the DSLR.

 

The only thing I still have trouble with now is focus. It's just too hard to see whether I'm in focus...then there is the problem of the coin not being truly LEVEL. Often the coin in the damn slab is titled with that stupid rubber thing they put the coin in...grrrr....

 

jom

[messydesk]

If you want inexpensive, after researching several cameras' specs to address this question in the context of a presentation on cheap coin photography, I recommend the Canon A800, two gooseneck lamps with CFL-daylight bulbs, $15 WalMart copy stand leaning over a table.

 

$130 total.

[ldhair]

If you want inexpensive, after researching several cameras' specs to address this question in the context of a presentation on cheap coin photography, I recommend the Canon A800, two gooseneck lamps with CFL-daylight bulbs, $15 WalMart copy stand leaning over a table.

 

$130 total.

(thumbs u

[Crohnos01]

If you want inexpensive, after researching several cameras' specs to address this question in the context of a presentation on cheap coin photography, I recommend the Canon A800, two gooseneck lamps with CFL-daylight bulbs, $15 WalMart copy stand leaning over a table.

 

$130 total.

 

Sweet! Thanks for the information.... that is just what I was looking for.

[messydesk]

Minor correction: "$15 copy stand" should read "$15 tripod"