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MORE coin photography questions (mostly about "tethered" camera setups)
lordmarcovan
Posts: 43,253 ✭✭✭✭✭
If I'm ever to graduate from my current setup, which is nothing more than a flatbed scanner (albeit a nice flatbed scanner, but still with the limitations that implies), I've pretty much figured out I probably want a "tethered" setup.
So, how do these work? Is it possible to do all the adjustments (focus, zoom, and shutter release) with one's mouse?
I'm used to controlling the scanner from my PC and having the images go straight into my photo editing program.
I would prefer my eventual camera setup to do the same. OK, maybe I'd have to manually adjust the lighting, but I'd want all the camera functions to be controlled with my mouse.
What about those microscopes? Is that a realistic alternative, or unnecessary? And how do they stack up costwise against a tethered SLR camera? Do I even need an SLR camera? (I'm guessing yes.) I'm not into minute die varieties or anything. Sure, I'll need the ability to zoom in and capture closeups of an overdate or tiny designer's initials or something like that at times, but I can already do that with the scanner.
Forgive me if I've previously asked some of these same questions.
So, how do these work? Is it possible to do all the adjustments (focus, zoom, and shutter release) with one's mouse?
I'm used to controlling the scanner from my PC and having the images go straight into my photo editing program.
I would prefer my eventual camera setup to do the same. OK, maybe I'd have to manually adjust the lighting, but I'd want all the camera functions to be controlled with my mouse.
What about those microscopes? Is that a realistic alternative, or unnecessary? And how do they stack up costwise against a tethered SLR camera? Do I even need an SLR camera? (I'm guessing yes.) I'm not into minute die varieties or anything. Sure, I'll need the ability to zoom in and capture closeups of an overdate or tiny designer's initials or something like that at times, but I can already do that with the scanner.
Forgive me if I've previously asked some of these same questions.
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<< <i>If I'm ever to graduate from my current setup, which is nothing more than a flatbed scanner (albeit a nice flatbed scanner, but still with the limitations that implies), I've pretty much figured out I probably want a "tethered" setup.
So, how do these work? Is it possible to do all the adjustments (focus, zoom, and shutter release) with one's mouse? >>
Yes, and in fact some programs allow you to control even more that is available in the camera itself! For instance, Nikon's Camera Control Pro 2 (which is expensive, like $150) allows you to "nudge" the focus up and down for doing focus stacking or fine focusing. The less expensive ControlMyNikon ($20) allows control of external flashes, focus steppers, or any sort of trigger you can imagine. Canon's EOS Utility (Free with camera) allows full control from the mouse, and adds certain niceties like eyedropper white balance control, etc.
<< <i>I'm used to controlling the scanner from my PC and having the images go straight into my photo editing program.
I would prefer my eventual camera setup to do the same. OK, maybe I'd have to manually adjust the lighting, but I'd want all the camera functions to be controlled with my mouse. >>
You can set any of the above programs to dump the image directly into whatever program you choose.
<< <i>What about those microscopes? Is that a realistic alternative, or unnecessary? And how do they stack up costwise against a tethered SLR camera? Do I even need an SLR camera? (I'm guessing yes.) I'm not into minute die varieties or anything. Sure, I'll need the ability to zoom in and capture closeups of an overdate or tiny designer's initials or something like that at times, but I can already do that with the scanner. >>
DSLR quality is significantly better for full-coin shots than what you can achieve with typical USB microscopes, but of course the DSLR will be much more expensive. But doing detail shots will take additional equipment (either stacked lenses or bellows), all of which will be fully manual to focus and probably set exposure. If you are looking to do full-coin shots, go the DSLR route. If you want to do detail shots, the DSLR route will give you better quality, but will take a bigger investment in equipment, setup and learning.
By the way, if you decide to by a DSLR, I highly recommend the Canon 550D/T2i
http://macrocoins.com
<< <i>Lightroom 4 has tethering built in >>
Oh, really? That's presumably photo software and not a piece of hardware. (OK, yeah. I Googled it.)
So will that work with any digital camera? What about point-and-shoots? Would it be worth playing with in conjunction with the P&S camera we have, before I upgrade to a DSLR?
I'm way behind the times with photo editing software, too. I'm still stuck in the late 1990s with MGI Photosuite SE (which I think was an old Win95 program). But it's familiar and it still works- I can do a lot with it. It's getting less stable, though, so I've probably got a learning curve ahead of me in software upgrading as well as hardware. Ugh.
“The root problem with conventional currency is all the trust that's required to make it work. The central bank must be trusted not to debase the currency, but the history of fiat currencies is full of breaches of that trust.” - Satoshi Nakamoto
<< <i>my idea of a good tethered operation includes the ability to use the computer monitor for a "live" view before capturing the image. This gives one the ability to adjust lighting without the trial and error of repetitive shots. Do all tethered set ups offer this feature? >>
EXACTLY. Thank you for asking that question. It's really one of the more basic tenets I was getting at. I'd like to have the camera mounted next to the PC, where I can move the coin around a little as necessary, tweak the focus and zoom with my mouse, then when it's just right, and looks good on the monitor, I can go *click* with the mouse and release the shutter.
<< <i>my idea of a good tethered operation includes the ability to use the computer monitor for a "live" view before capturing the image. This gives one the ability to adjust lighting without the trial and error of repetitive shots. Do all tethered set ups offer this feature? >>
I shoot with Canon and Pentax DSLRs. My Canon DSLR can do this, and I suspect a comparable Nikon can do it too. Pentax DSLRs do not allow for this for some reason. No idea about Sony.
I'd go with a DSLR and a macro lens, and look at some of the members lighting setups. Lighting is EVERYTHING. If you go with anything else, you might end up getting disappointed if you really get into it. For the best color, contrast, and sharpness, go with a dedicated macro lens.
Lance.
<< <i>my idea of a good tethered operation includes the ability to use the computer monitor for a "live" view before capturing the image. This gives one the ability to adjust lighting without the trial and error of repetitive shots. Do all tethered set ups offer this feature? >>
Look for a camera with Live View capability. Basically this means the camera can raise its mirror and the sensor can capture continuous video-like images that can be sent to a monitor or to the screen on back of camera. Most of the newer Nikons, Canons, Sonys, Pentax's, etc have this ability but make sure before you buy if this is important to you. The Canon T2i I recommended has an excellent Live View...
http://macrocoins.com
Great questons and responses everyone. I've been wanting to cross the bridge to DSLR recently and this helps alot.
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