Coin Camera software compatibility and recommendations

rmpsrpms

I wanted to alert folks who are using older Canon cameras that Canon's support for their EOS Utility tethering software (to control the camera, view on-screen, etc) seems to have ended with Windows 11. Microsoft did an update to Windows 10 a while back, and it broke EOS Utility at that time, but Canon wrote a fix, and it's available on their download site. It does not appear they are giving a similar update for Windows 11.

A similar problem happened a while back on Mac OS as well. Both Microsoft and Apple do automatic updates for their Operating Systems, and you don't have a choice, so all of a sudden stuff you were counting on just stops working. But you have a choice to not upgrade to Windows 11.

If you are using any of the following cameras and you update to Windows 11, you'll need to get a new camera to use it tethered to your computer:

Rebel XS, T1, T1i, T2, T2i, T3, T3i, T4, T4i, T5, T5i

If you have one of those cameras on Windows 10 and it has recently stopped working properly, you can download the "updater" from canon here:

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/software-and-drivers

The download page will auto detect your OS, so use the computer you will tether to to download the software.

If you do choose to upgrade to Windows 11, the T6 and later cameras seem to work with it. I've recently been recommending the T7 for folks who use Macs or have upgraded to Windows 11. The T7 is an excellent coin camera, and seems to hit a good price/performance point. The venerable Rebel XS is still my recommendation for budget systems who are using Windows 10 or older OS. Ultimately the T7 or XS produce similar image quality for most applications. The whole range of Rebel cameras have electronic shutter functionality that makes Canon an excellent choice for coin cameras.

ironmanl63

Thanks for the update! I really appreciate your willingness to help people. Over and above what anyone could expect. I am still using the camera setup I bought from you years ago.

BStrauss3

digiCamControl works fine with Win11 - after I uninstalled the hoked version of EOS Utility!

When I got the new machine I found that EOS Util wasn't available, ended up downloading the old version, and setting the compatibility stuff &c only to find that dCC was unstable.

Uninstalled EOS Utility

dCC much more stable.

T3i

The_Dinosaur_Man

Nikons don't have this problem. Then again, no canon has been good since the Civil War

robec

@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
Nikons don't have this problem. Then again, no canon has been good since the Civil War

EOS utility for Canon is a free utility that allows tethering and a computer controlled camera.
As far as I know Nikon doesn’t offer a free tethering app. Have they changed that recently?

rmpsrpms

@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
Nikons don't have this problem. Then again, no canon has been good since the Civil War

What software are you using to tether your Nikon? As @Robec says, Canon's EOS Utility comes free with the camera. I would certainly expect that if you're paying for software, it should work with your camera and OS, otherwise why pay?

I'm pretty much brand-agnostic when it comes to cameras. I just use what works best for me for each application. For walkaround cameras I use Nikon, as I have a lot of Nikon lenses. For macro work in the studio, I use both Canon and Sony since both offer excellent (and free) tethering software, and electronic shutters. My Sony goes full electronic, so no shutter movement at all, which makes it great for higher magnification work with no vibrations.

The_Dinosaur_Man

@rmpsrpms and @robec I use lightroom. I generally have nothing against Canon and that is pretty cool it has its own software. I'm not sure if Nikon offers any since I got my camera second hand.

WaterSport

Such a valuable member on this forum - thanks Ray.

WS

rmpsrpms

@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
@rmpsrpms and @robec I use lightroom. I generally have nothing against Canon and that is pretty cool it has its own software. I'm not sure if Nikon offers any since I got my camera second hand.

Nikon does offer its own software, Camera Control Pro 2, but I don't know the details of which cameras and Operating Systems it supports. I own a copy that I bought long ago, but I have not used it in years. Maybe I'll look into seeing if my license allows me to upgrade it. It cost me $180 I think.

Your Lightroom is also fairly expensive, $10/mo, correct? Use it for 5 years and you've spent $600 just for software! That would buy a decent Canon camera so just what you are spending for software you could get a new camera every 5 years.

@WaterSport said:
Such a valuable member on this forum - thanks Ray.

WS

Thanks WS. This OS incompatibility problem seemed like it was worth letting folks know about. I heard from several folks in a panic that their cameras didn't work any more, and had to figure out the Windows 10 "Updater". Their OS had apparently updated overnight without them realizing it, and several of their programs didn't work anymore, but they only noticed when the camera wouldn't connect. I've avoided upgrading to Windows 11 so far, even though they keep on bugging me about it. I wish I hadn't purchased the Windows 10 version that came with the "free upgrade to Windows 11". Supposedly the clock is running out for the upgrade, and hopefully they stop harassing me after that.

For Macs, Canon gave up long ago trying to maintain compatibility with older cameras.

ldhair

I'm not sure what I should do.
I have a Canon EOS XT and using Windows 7. The tethering software quit a while back. My system does not even see the camera even with a fresh boot. @rmpsrpms Any thoughts?

rmpsrpms

I am not sure about compatibility of the XT. It is older than the XS, which is the oldest in the Rebel lineup that offers Live View. Since Live View is so important IMO I'd personally recommend upgrading to an XS or later camera. Long as you don't upgrade your OS you'll be able to run it indefinitely.

I guess with the XT you are (were) able to download the pics as you take them using EOS Utility, but that program has WAY more capability when connected to an XS or later camera. Live View on your PC monitor will be a revelation.

You can find really good deals on eBay for the XS.

ldhair

@rmpsrpms said:
I am not sure about compatibility of the XT. It is older than the XS, which is the oldest in the Rebel lineup that offers Live View. Since Live View is so important IMO I'd personally recommend upgrading to an XS or later camera. Long as you don't upgrade your OS you'll be able to run it indefinitely.

I guess with the XT you are (were) able to download the pics as you take them using EOS Utility, but that program has WAY more capability when connected to an XS or later camera. Live View on your PC monitor will be a revelation.

You can find really good deals on eBay for the XS.

Thanks. I figured it was time for a new camera.

robec

I upgraded my iMac’s OS 4-5 years ago. I was using Mojave (10.14.6) and upgraded to Catalina (10.15.7).
Huge mistake…….the computer didn’t recognize the camera or EOS Utility 2.0. There is an EOS Utility 3.0, but it isn’t compatible with my 12 year old Canon 7D.
Luckily I had a backup and was able to revert back to Mojave, which is where it will stay until the camera snaps it’s final photo.

Samets

I have a loosely related question... We have the EOS Rebel T7 and I can't seem to get quality photos of coins... What lens is recommended? Ours came with 18-55mm and we also have the EF-S 55-250mm one.

Is there a stand or special settings I should be using?
Do I not zoom in and just crop?

Appreciate any input on this subject.

rmpsrpms

@Samets said:
I have a loosely related question... We have the EOS Rebel T7 and I can't seem to get quality photos of coins... What lens is recommended? Ours came with 18-55mm and we also have the EF-S 55-250mm one.

Is there a stand or special settings I should be using?
Do I not zoom in and just crop?

Appreciate any input on this subject.

Neither of those two kit lenses that came with the camera are particularly good for full-coin photos. I recommend the 18-55mm for shooting full slabs (and notes, sets, etc), but the quality you get zooming-in to the coin or especially any details will be very disappointing. The 55-200mm is worthless for coins IMO.

Many folks will likely recommend getting a macro lens like a Canon 100mm or similar, but doing that will limit your ability to shoot details, and is more expensive than needed. I usually recommend an enlarging lens like a Nikon 75mm EL-Nikkor, or if you really want the best, a duplicating lens like the Rodenstock 75mm Apo Rodagon D M1:1. Either of these will give you a better image quality vs the Canon 100mm. You will need a focusing helicoid and adapters to allow full-range focusing and framing.

Samets

@rmpsrpms said:

@Samets said:
I have a loosely related question... We have the EOS Rebel T7 and I can't seem to get quality photos of coins... What lens is recommended? Ours came with 18-55mm and we also have the EF-S 55-250mm one.

Is there a stand or special settings I should be using?
Do I not zoom in and just crop?

Appreciate any input on this subject.

Neither of those two kit lenses that came with the camera are particularly good for full-coin photos. I recommend the 18-55mm for shooting full slabs (and notes, sets, etc), but the quality you get zooming-in to the coin or especially any details will be very disappointing. The 55-200mm is worthless for coins IMO.

Many folks will likely recommend getting a macro lens like a Canon 100mm or similar, but doing that will limit your ability to shoot details, and is more expensive than needed. I usually recommend an enlarging lens like a Nikon 75mm EL-Nikkor, or if you really want the best, a duplicating lens like the Rodenstock 75mm Apo Rodagon D M1:1. Either of these will give you a better image quality vs the Canon 100mm. You will need a focusing helicoid and adapters to allow full-range focusing and framing.

Thanks for the response. Can you suggest a macro lens with Canons EF or EF-S mount? I don't want to deal with adapters and such.

Maybe 3 choices like good, great and best?

robec

Here is an article that might help. I think the EF-S lens are a bit cheaper, but both are compatible.
https://www.photographypursuits.com/lenses-compatible-canon-rebel-t7/

Samets

@robec said:
Here is an article that might help. I think the EF-S lens are a bit cheaper, but both are compatible.
https://www.photographypursuits.com/lenses-compatible-canon-rebel-t7/

I read that but there's not a recommended macro lense.

rmpsrpms

@Samets said:

Thanks for the response. Can you suggest a macro lens with Canons EF or EF-S mount? I don't want to deal with adapters and such.

Maybe 3 choices like good, great and best?

There are only a few Canon macro lenses to choose from. Most are 100mm. Problem is they all shorten focal length when they increase in magnification. This makes the working distance very short, and thus harder to optimize lighting for smaller coins. Some folks go with a longer lens, like the 180mm, but then for larger coins you need super long working distance and a very tall copy stand. This is one of the reasons I recommend enlarging/copy lenses. They don't change focal length. So for instance, a 75mm enlarging lens will have a shorter working distance for Dollars than a 100mm macro, and a longer working distance for Dimes. You don't end up moving the camera very much when you change coin sizes, so lighting can stay pretty constant.

But if you want to pay a lot more, have less lighting flexibility, more chromatic aberrations, and a wider range of working distances, all because of not wanting to use an adapter, then check out this page to see what EF/S mount macros are available:

https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/best-macro-lenses.htm

ldhair

@rmpsrpms said:
I am not sure about compatibility of the XT. It is older than the XS, which is the oldest in the Rebel lineup that offers Live View. Since Live View is so important IMO I'd personally recommend upgrading to an XS or later camera. Long as you don't upgrade your OS you'll be able to run it indefinitely.

I guess with the XT you are (were) able to download the pics as you take them using EOS Utility, but that program has WAY more capability when connected to an XS or later camera. Live View on your PC monitor will be a revelation.

You can find really good deals on eBay for the XS.

I could not believe the prices. I found an XS body that looks new for $80. It came with the Live View software. I was sick of having to wait for the image to show on the monitor. This is going to be really cool. I'm using a Sigma 150mm Macro. It's a great lens but I had to stand on my toes to see thru the view finder. I made it work but it was really slow.

I cleaned all the old software from my system and hope to find the time today to start playing with my new toys today.

rmpsrpms

@ldhair said:

I could not believe the prices. I found an XS body that looks new for $80. It came with the Live View software. I was sick of having to wait for the image to show on the monitor. This is going to be really cool. I'm using a Sigma 150mm Macro. It's a great lens but I had to stand on my toes to see thru the view finder. I made it work but it was really slow.

Excellent, welcome to 2008! That's when the XS was released and Canon introduced us to a whole new world of studio macro photography.