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3.34 vs. 5.0 megapixels

shylockshylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Some food for thought if you're shopping for a digital camera.

I've recently upgraded my Nikon to the 5700 and have mixed feelings about the increased resolution. I love the improvement of some coins, like the 1862 proof. But others are not exactly flattered by this camera. It seems to catch every minor imperfection a little too clearly, especially on bright, lustrous coins. Like the light contact on the cheek of the 1894 below. I did a better job with lighting on the old 3.34 1894 image, but that camera also seemed to "smooth over" the contact. I think the actual coin looks closer to that image when you look at it with your naked eye. Do you think it's possible to have too much resolution, especially for those using their images for coin sales?

3.34 megapixels
image

5.0 megapixels
image

3.34/5.0 megapixels
imageimage
Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org

Comments

  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The 1894 with the 5.0 looks like he had a bad day on the prairie.....if you still have both cameras, can you reshoot w/o changing the lighting?? It might make a fairer comparison for both coins.
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • MacCoinMacCoin Posts: 2,544 ✭✭
    hi Paul the old Nikon was super nice but this 5.0 megapixels is much better. I look forward to see more images with the 5.0 megapixels Nikon
    image


    I hate it when you see my post before I can edit the spelling.

    Always looking for nice type coins

    my local dealer
  • shylockshylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
    The 1894 with the 5.0 looks like he had a bad day on the prairie

    lol, or a very good night on the prairie. I think you're right about it needing more flattering lighting.

    Here's one more Mac, an 1859/1859 with beautiful toning but an obverse planchet crack around the upper rim that shows up clearly at this resolution:

    image

    image
    Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You must have a new tripod...image

    Rats....I was hoping the pics would be ugly....you know how long it's going to take to reshoot my entire collection with a new camera......imageimage

    Thanks for sharing the pics - even the flow lines are showing nicely. I really like the 1862. It even shows the Hub cracks by the ear - WOW!!
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hold on there, Shylock. Where did you get a 1859/1859 of that quality?? Why have you haven't shared that one before??imageimageimage
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • shylockshylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
    Lakesammman -- send all your coins east and I'll save you the trouble. A nice feature I've discovered about this model today is it takes good macro from a distance, over 6 inches from the slab, with the 8X zoom lens. Makes the lighting easier, and also reduces the distortion you sometimes get around the edges on those super close shots.

    Rick stole the 1859 S1 at the ANA. Wish I paid his price, but I was thrilled with it just the same. Nicest MS63 I've ever seen, guess the planchet flaw wasn't considered "as struck" and kept it down.

    image
    Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,530 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I still haven't graduated from "scannergarten", myself. image

    No matter the resolution, those are some beautiful pics.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • drsvenghalidrsvenghali Posts: 291 ✭✭
    I prefer the 5.0 pics. I don't think more resolution effects the outcome as much as lighting.
    "Don't talk like an ignarosis."

    I specialize in Wisconsin currency! Looking for information on WI national banknotes. Census stands at 12,318 notes.

    **"Wisconsin National Bank Notes - 2nd Edition" is out!!!" Only $20PPd!!!

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