i bought a digital camera today

JYSW

after so many months of searching, i finally bought a digital camera, that's Nikon Coolpix 4500, has any of the board numbers used this camera as well?

is this a good camera for photo coins?

thanks!

JYSW

Russ

I think the definitive answer as to whether the Nikon Coolpix series is good for coins is a resounding yes. Some of the very best coin shots you'll see are done with these cameras.

Russ, NCNE

ursabear

ursabear

Well, my original post went ethereal on me and went away on an edit.

JYSW, I like the CoolPix a great deal. It does a great job on coins, cars, and other important things (like family).

dragon

JYSW,

I just bought the Nikon Coolpix 2500 the other day. Whats the difference between the 2500 and the 4500, does yours just have more features or is it a whole different camera? I haven't even figured out how to use mine yet.

Dragon

TommyB

This is from an earlier model, the 990.

Edited to add: Russ can tell you the name of the place to get a nice photo stand for just a few bucks. I have it and it works great.

beartracks42

I just bought a Nikon coolpix 885 and am in the process of learning about it. It appears to be able to do anything I might want, now we will see if I can manage..lol

Russ

B&H Photo Video.

Russ, NCNE

TheNumish

Hey Russ--
Where do we get the cheap camera stands? Thanks Jay

Russ

B&H Photo Video.

Russ, NCNE

JYSW

the coolpix 4500 features:

4 megapixels
4 x zoom lens (35-155 mm)
5 area multi autofocus ( i don't know what's that)

Especially for coin photo:

camera can focus on objects as close as 2 cm from the lens(but i haven't figure out that yet)

the total cost is $1252 Cdn or $795.00 US (4 year warranty)

JYSW

shylock

JYSW,

The 4500 is the next generation Coolpix with all the same features as the 995 plus many enhancements. The one that would effect coin imaging the most is the 4.0-megapixel CCD (improved resolution and detail). Here are a few tips I'd give to a new user, assuming the buttons are essentially the same as the 995 I own:

Get a desktop tripod if you haven't already.

The camera automatically powers off with no activity after a period of time, just click the shutter to power it back up.

Try using the macro feature (you click on the M-Focus button 3 times until a flower icon appears) in Auto mode for starters to get a feel for it. Choose the Fine option using the Quality button. Use the "W" & "T" Zoom buttons to zoom in and out in macro mode.

Upload a few images to your software as test samples. Learn how to delete images with the Menu button while the camera is in > mode. Get use to using the round "multi selector" button on the right of the monitor for toggling through the menus.

Try the same thing, but after the coin is focused in Macro, click the M-Focus button one more time and a clock icon will appear. Click the shutter and this will put the camera on a 9 second timer, giving you a clearer, jiggle free image. If you click the shutter 2 times fast the timer is set for only 3 seconds (prefered).

Once you've gotten those essentials down, experimenting with different lighting, the next step will be learning the menu features in Manual mode, essential for accurate color. Let me know when you've exhausted the Auto phase.

tristarz

Thanks for the camera comments. I ordered a Coolpix 4500.