Cameras with good MACRO capability?

bennybravo

I have an Olympus 360 thats a great digital camera for family photos etc, but the Macro function stinks.It's supposedly good from 4", but it blurs in macros mode unless your about a foot away.The previous post on lighting, backgrounds, tripods, etc.. have been great, and I'm happy with my setup there.Color and lighting not a prob.I know about Nikons, but what other brands and models have a great macros function?Like I said, the Olympus is good for everything else, but I'm looking to get something strictly for coins, so didn't want to lay out New Coolpix cash for great results unless I had too.Anyone have an older coolpix, or other brands of camera's that have great macros capability at a lower cost?I'd love to see some samples from what you guys(and gals) are using.

Thanks,
Chris

KoinKollector

Nikon Coolpix 995

Lakesammman

Ditto Coolpix 995 - bought it specifically for the macro capability (both work and pleasure). If you want to see the results, check the Lakesamm Registry under IHC's or FE cents or indianheads.org. I've been very happy with the results but am still under the tutelage of master Shylock.

Russ

If you want cheap, Ricoh RDC-4300, now available for less than $100.















All of the above were shot using it.

Russ, NCNE

CarlWohlforth

I bought a Phillips ESP80SXG. It is the Ricoh 4300 (it was OEM'd by Phillips), but it hasn't been publicized by Russ yet Might be a few bucks cheaper

shylock

I love these threads, because I sense many of us feel as strongly about our cameras as we do our coins. Brings out a lot of passion.

The best bang for the buck is the Ricoh as Russ's many beautiful images attest. The Nikon series is one of many that will eat up more of your coin allowance and involves more of a learning curve, but it can really get up-close-and-personal. Some examples are Anaconda's images on Ebay (Nikon 995) and Pinnacle Rarities superb inventory images (Nikon 990) by Scott Schechter. Lakesammman takes some awesome images as well with his 995, like this very tough date PR65 (awesome):

Russ

<< <i>I love these threads, because I sense many of us feel as strongly about our cameras as we do our coins. >>



I feel strongly about my wallet, I'm poor. I'd have the Nikon in a NY minute, if I could afford it.

Russ, NCNE

robertpr

<< <i>I feel strongly about my wallet, I'm poor. >>



Russ, you have passion. A poor man has no passion, but you have plenty, so I'd say you're rich!

jdimmick

I am intrested in getting a new digital?

Russ mentioned about the ricoh?(the 100.00 sounds great), but

How much is the nikon 995 selling for, and who (store) has it?

jim

robertpr

The Ricoh is awesome. I got mine on ebay for $76.01!

jhar

This is a great thread. I was just wanting to start working on some research for a digital camera. I was even considering posting this very question. I guess I won't have to now.

danreller

Hi Russ,

I want to buy one. Where is the source?

Dan

danreller

Hi Russ,

I want to buy one. Where is the source?

Dan

danreller

Hi Russ,

I want to buy one. Where is the source?

Dan

danreller

Can anyone explain why some of my replies result in three postings with one keystroke?

Dan

danreller

Can anyone explain why some of my replies result in three postings with one keystroke?

Dan

Russ

Dan,

I sniped mine on eBay.

Dan,

I sniped mine on eBay.

Dan,

I sniped mine on eBay.

Dan,

I don't know why you're getting multiple posts.

Dan,

I don't know why you're getting multiple posts.



Russ, NCNE

robertpr

Dan, you having problems with your internet browser? Is it by chance, microsoft internet explorer?

pmh1nic

I think the Ricoh is a good value:

Ricoh

danreller

Robertpr,

Yes I use IE as my browser, but, so do approx. 80% or more.

What's going on? It doesn't happen very often, but, only occasionally.



Russ,

I just bought a Ricoh RDC-4300 for $160 + $15 S&H. It's nothing close to your snipe, but, my Canon G-1 which I love for most photos really sucks st close-ups. Thanks for the tip.

Dan

bennybravo

Great replies.Your Ricoh pics look great Russ.Anyone else?How about the slightly older 7 & 800 series Nikon Coolpix? Do they have similar close-up capabilty or are they way behind the newer models?Has anyone had much experience with those?

Thanks again

jom

Any of the Nikon cameras are supposed to have the best MACRO lense. Best thing to do is check them our yourselves....

Here is a link I started some time ago I haven't had time to get back to. There is some info on how to LIGHT your pictures. Thanks goes to Shylock for some of the info herein:

Pictures

jom

EDIT: There was another thread started about that time by Shylock but I couldn't find it. Shylock, do you have the address of the thread???

cacheman

You can pick up a Nikon CoolPix 995 for about $450 on eBay. I just got one about a month ago but am still dealing with the learning curve. Damn nice camera though and can get macro focus within 0.8 inch. CM

JLW

I love my common sense even more than my wallet! Russ got me sold on the Ricoh a while back when I first saw some of his great pics. I gotta ask myself, can the camera that costs 4 or 5 times as much (as a good Ricoh snipe) produce images that are 4 or 5 times better than his? I think not...
Joe

oldcameoproofsguy

I just bought a Sony Mavica FD75 for about $300 brand new. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money just for a camera to take pics of my coins and I was too anxious to purchase a used one off of ebay. I've been using it for exactly seven days and here are some of the results. I know that after I've used the camera for a while I'll get a lot better at shooting my coins. I'm still in the experimenting stage.

stman

Oldcameoproofsguy, on the moderns it looks good like your getting the true coin as in mirrors. I'm curious on your barbers as I'd really like to see them get the same effect. I think you know what I mean?

oldcameoproofsguy

stman,

You're right on that one. Some of the forum members have told me that the GE Reveal Light bulbs are excellent for shooting proofs. I'll invest in some new lighting and reshoot my Barbers. Shooting under soft light I was able to capture a couple with the deep mirrors but not all.

stman

Yea, thats what I'm talking about. Much better you can see the frost too. And please don't take me wrong I wasn't trying to knock your photos just would like to see them in their best light. I know you would also.

shylock

Benny -- if you're going to lay out the extra cash for a Nikon, I'd pay the small difference for the 995 and its more up to date features. Some of the earlier models, for example, don't allow the timer to be used in macro unless you bypass auto focus (and focus manually). The timer is a must since it serves the same purpose as a remote shutter release, allowing a hands-free, jiggle-free image on your tripod.

"can the camera that costs 4 or 5 times as much (as a good Ricoh snipe) produce images that are 4 or 5 times better than his? I think not..."

Of course not. An MS66 coin at $2000 is not 4X better than an MS65 at $500, it's one grade better. The same way collectors have to ask themselves what coin is the best value for their needs and budget, your imaging requirements beg the same question.

IrishMike

I have a coolpix 885 and it is only so-so. I did purchase a macro lense. You can pick up a 995 on ebay for just a little over the price of an 885 new. The new coolpix 4500 and 5700 would be a better long term investment than the 885 or 700 series. 5700 has a built in 8x zoom and 5.0 megapixels. Nikonlink

Twowood

That Ricoh RDC-4300 is for me.I'm on my way to Compusa as soon as they open. Twowood

Ogden

I also got the Ricoh 4300 on ebay for $107.00. Great camera. The only problem I have is the camera eats batteries. I have many auctions going on now at ebay, all taken with the Ricoh. Love it!!
Russ, is it worth getting the battery charger? Incidentally Russ also put me onto the Ricoh.

Ogden

Russ

Twowood,

You can't get the Ricoh RDC-4300 at Compusa. It's a three plus year old model. BTW, original list on it was $599. Gotta love technology. If you wait long enough, you can practically get it for free!

Ogden,

I don't have the battery charger because I rarely use batteries. I have the AC adapter for the camera.

In case anybody is interested in one-stop research on digital camera's:

Steve's Digicams cannot be beat.

Fantastic site with dozens and dozens of reviews, including pics from the cameras he's reviewing. That's where I did my studying before I decided what to buy.

Russ, NCNE

Nic

Do forum members know any disadvantages of the new Nikon coolpix 4500 compared to the 995? K

shylock

I believe the 4500 is identicle to the 995 except for resolution (4.0 compared to 3.34) and is a bit sleaker in size due to a new rechargable lithium battery. As IrishMike mentioned there's also a new 5.0 megapixel model out (5700) that looks interesting. It doesn't have the swivel body of the 995 & 4500, which comes in handy sometimes, but with a tripod I doubt that even matters. I'd like to see that model in action...

Raynman

I am partial to my Coolpix 5000 or about anything Nikon for that matter, That being said Russ's photos with the Ricoh are better than anything I have taken with my Nikon so far. But I am still learning the subtle nuances of coin photography.

Placid

<< <i>I just bought a Sony Mavica FD75 for about $300 brand new. >>



Where did you buy it from? I like that they use floppy disks.

oldcameoproofsguy

Placid,

I got the camera on clearance from a local retailer. I think that the camera retails for $399. Having the camera record the image onto a floppy is really nice. There is no interfaceing involved at all. The biggest gripe I have with the camera so far is that it has no manual white balance. The white balance fixed in the camera is pretty true but it would be nice to be able to adjust it if necessary.

I think that once I really get dialed in, it will be a great camera for this application. As far as macro ability is concerned this camera can focus to about 1/2" from the subject.

crito

I'm looking at a used Phillips ESP80 right now.



accessory picture shows a battery charger and remote control. seems like a pretty nice setup for the money

Placid

<< <i>Placid,

I got the camera on clearance from a local retailer. I think that the camera retails for $399. Having the camera record the image onto a floppy is really nice. There is no interfaceing involved at all. The biggest gripe I have with the camera so far is that it has no manual white balance. The white balance fixed in the camera is pretty true but it would be nice to be able to adjust it if necessary.

I think that once I really get dialed in, it will be a great camera for this application. As far as macro ability is concerned this camera can focus to about 1/2" from the subject.

>>




I went to the sony web store, $299 +1¢ shipping. Now I just have to talk my wife into letting me get it

This is the right one? Link

cacheman

Aw come on Placid!! You have to ask your wife to get the camera!!??!! Give me a break! Just do what I did.....buy the damn thing and then bring it out only after the wife is asleep or away from the house.

oldcameoproofsguy

Placid,

That's the one. Here's a shot of an 1858 Type 2 Silver 3 cent piece.
The true test of macro capability is the silver 3 cent piece.


I must be getting a little dialed in because I did no photo fixing on this shot. The color, brightness and contrast are all exactly how they came out of the camera.

Chuck47

What lighting did you use for these pics?...they came out great....

Thanks...Chuck..

Russ

Chuck,

You just sent me a PM, but I can't reply because you don't have that function enabled.

Russ, NCNE