Digital Camera to buy?

NBSQLGeek

Ok in the market for a digital camera.

Looking for one that can show nice detail of coins for the coin inventory software.

And at a reasonable price.

keoj

I have a Sony DSC-85. Excellent macro capability. I can't say enough good about this camera. Most people will say that it has a proprietary memory storage but you can buy a big enough one where it doesn't rally matter. Good luck, there are tons of execellent cameras out there.

keoj

mbbiker

I have a Canon G2 and it's by far the best digital camera i've ever used.

IrishMike

A camera with a good macro, 2X doesn't really do it unless you can buy a macro lens and the attachment. I don't know what a reasonable price is, the nikon 5700 is around a grand, the 4500 $700-800 and a 990/995 is a good buy used. Check out Ebay for pricing. Many of the lesser brands do an excellent job on silver but not so good on copper. If copper isn't your thing then you can go cheap.

Macro capabilities can't be emphasized enough.

cosmicdebris

C5050 ZOOM by Olympus

MrKelso

The Nikon line is supposed to be real good. I am thinking about going to look them over this weekend.

NBSQLGeek

Ok found this Nikon 995 refurbished.

I have found some excellent deals threw refurbished items, like my Ipaq save ALOT of money and the item works like new.

LINKY POO

keoj

Hi, back again. I would recommend that for the same mony or about the same, get a Canon G2 or a Sony DSC-85. Better cameras (4MP versus 3) and they'll be new. I know that you can find the Sony for the same price on www.ibuydigital.com.

keoj

meos1

I would like to get one with a fairly high MP rating and capable of accepting my 35mm lenses, of which one is a Macro. Don't remember the exact specs on this. I remember my Dad chiding me that I could use it if I ever went into the NSA or CIA to photo documents.

Dan

NBSQLGeek

Yes being able to use 35mm lens would be very nice, especially telephoto lens.


NSA droooool.
Damn I can only dream of the databases there.

pmh1nic

Here are a few pics taken with a relatively inexpensive Ricoh RDC-5000 (got the camera about a year ago for $280). These are not software enhanced and the colors are very true to the actual coins.

cosmicdebris

Taken with Olympus C3000 ZOOM.

NBSQLGeek

Thanks for the pics. That is the true way to decide on which camera to use.


I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Can I have your bud light?

KAJ1

I have the Olympus C3000 .

copper

Blade

I will be posting a few threads later today on digital photo techniques.

I use a Kodak DC4800 digital camera. I bought it refurbished in Sept, 2001 from Kodak.com. It is a 3.1 megapixel. $800 new, I got it for $500 refurbished and it had a bunch of cool extras.

My thoughts - regardless of brand (read up on them at www.pcmag.com) you need to make sure of a couple things IF you intend to get the most out of coin photography. First, get as high a megapixel resolution as you can afford. 3 MP will be fine for all but the most excrutiating details. Second, get one that can accommodate close-up lenses. This means forget the Canon Elf-type cameras and get a bigger one that can take a lense adaptor and lenses. The adaptor and lenses will only set you back about $60 so it is not a big investment. I have 10X and 7X lenses. Using them both without zoom gets a perfect pic of the full slab. The zoom then gets into the detail.

For general purpose, get one that takes a lithium ion rechargable battery. These do not have "battery memory" and will last longer. You will burn through batteries without a rechargable. Also, get an extra battery as backup.

Russ

The best digital camera review site on the web.

Russ, NCNE

pmh1nic

Hi Russ,

I read through a lot of the information on Steve's site before I chose the Ricoh. Since I was mostly interested in taking coin photos and the macro features are excellent (I wasn't interested in many of the other features the higher priced cameras offered) the Ricoh was most economical choice for me.

Russ

pmh1nic,

His site is also why I bought a Ricoh; for all the same reasons you listed.

Russ, NCNE

RotatedRainbows

A camera with a good macro, 2X doesn't really do it unless you can buy a macro lens and the attachment. I don't know what a reasonable price is, the nikon 5700 is around a grand, the 4500 $700-800 and a 990/995 is a good buy used. Check out Ebay for pricing. Many of the lesser brands do an excellent job on silver but not so good on copper. If copper isn't your thing then you can go cheap.

I just bought a Nikon 4500 for $525 plus I get $50 rebate so that makes it only $475.

NBSQLGeek

Where did you get it rotated? Im leaning towards Nikon 995 or the 4500.

Collector

I just bought the sony dsc-s85....after a lot of research and pricing...a true 4 megapixel camera which I got under 500...it has an excellent lens...and plenty of accessories...plus decent battery time...3 hours or so..depending on how you use your LCD.....16MB memory stick is too small but went with 128 MB stick for 59.95...amazon.com.....gives you the true feel of a 35mm camera....and super quality....just my 2 cents worth

cheers
Paul

RotatedRainbows

I bought my Nikon 4500 4.0 effective megapixel camera from here http://www.acephotodigital.com/sc/main_item.asp?id=964585298&rf=cn&dfdate=12_13_2002 and they have lowered their price so if you order by tomorrow the price would be $468.89 as the $50 rebate ends 12-31-02 so you must buy it by then to be eligible for the rebate. Also it is worth going to the 3 day delivery as it only adds $3 to the cost of shipping over standard ground shipping.

danglen

Tom Mulvaney, probably the premier coin photographer in the US, swears by the Nikon 995. For a lighting source, he uses a Walmart gooseneck lamp with a 75 watt bulb that he bought for $9.95. He does all his editing work with MS PhotoDraw 2000, Version 2. I took his coin photography mini-seminar at the ANA Summer Camp last year, and when I got home I chucked all the expensive backboards, lighting sources and special lenses, went back to basics, and have been happy with the results.

shylock

Some other Nikon users you can use as samplers are Anaconda and Pinnacle Rarities, both of whom I believe use 990s.

I was very happy with my Nikon 995 and have recently upgraded to the 5.0 5700. The 8X zoom lens makes setups a bit different than the 995 -- it scopes out much further so requires a taller tripod height -- and I'm still in the fiddling stage. But I like the fact that good close-ups can be taken from a further distance with this camera. It makes lighting the subject much easier and less obstructed. I also like the fact that you can take images as Raw files, which are equal in quality to Tiffs but half the size.

A couple sample pics:

NBSQLGeek

Veru nice pics.

cjmbuffalo

The Nikon 995 is great. You also can get an adapter that will allow you to shoot thru a microscope eyepiece for ultra closeups. The camera has a lot of features that makes it easy to get high quality pictures. The last thing you want to check out is the "Clouddome" it is essential for glare free photos. Go to cloulddome.com to see what it is. You can get it cheaper thru ebay.

cosmicdebris

Paul those are some great images.

shylock

Thanks Bill, Brad.

As for the "Clouddome".... all due respects Charlie, but I experimented with that and feel you can get true color in less cumbersome ways than shooting through that. I've wasted a lot of money in this area, so I'll make a suggestion so others don't go through the same ordeal. I've been very happy with lights I bought from AmosAdvantage.com that put out a full spectrum white light that's relatively glare free (link). It's the type of light a designer would use when trying to match colors perfectly, so it makes sense that it would work well for true digital color. There may be similar lights out there that are less expensive.

cosmicdebris

Found OTT Lite that Paul is refferring to here for only $42.31.

Zerbe

Thanks Rotated Rainbows!!! I just ordered the Nikon 4500 and accessory kit from the site you provided, with the three day delivery.
Could'nt have been any easier. I am really excited about finally being able to post my coin images, on the registry..........Zerbe

NBSQLGeek

I think rotatedraindows should of contacted the company and worked out a commision fee, hehe.

After work heading to bestbuy to look at the cameras and thensee if I like to buy online from Ace.

NBSQLGeek

Well I went out to best buy and looked at 3 cameras.

Nikon 4300
Nikon 4500
Fuji Finpix something

And Nikon 4500 is so awesome. My wife and I were so amazed at the macro ability. Im ordering my camera first thing in the morning.

wayneme

http://www.dealtime.com/dt-app/SE/KW-nikon/keyword-nikon/FD-0/nFormID-0/NS-1/linkin_id-2038613/GS.html
Hi not sure you want to have the input but
i've had good luck buying stuff off the net no tax you might want to check the pricing on the link above
i bought my camera this way and saved a bunch of coin
good luck with your photos

IrishMike

Anaconda had a post the other day wherein he commented he had just purchased a Nikon 4500.

RotatedRainbows

Mike is right, Adrian did post awhile back that he bought a 4500. NBSQLGeek You might want to think about buying the AC adapter cord as well so when you are shooting coin pictures inside you don't have to worry about the battery running down.

NBSQLGeek

Hmm the guy who is selling the 4500s just extended the $50 rebate has anyone bought from this guy before?

JMOORE

If you have the bucks you can't go wrong with one of the digital SLR cameras like the Canon EOS D60. In fact a D30 would be great for photographing coins. You can use the full line of Canon EOS lenses.

I just sold my D60 about a month ago.

Jim

Bulldog

NBS I bought a Kodak to do my shots. Then I found out, that it does not have threads on the lens, to attach close up lenses. So I had to get an adapter. Wish I had bought one with integral lens threads though.

Bulldog

marcmoish

Hmm looks like I'm in the minority using a Sony FD75. I posted 2 photos, I basically suck at figuring out what lights to use or for that matter I've yet to read the instructions, but I do recall a couple members mentioning this camera. besides everything it is sooo easy using the CD instead of cumbersome cables. Just My 2C

Marc

Whitewashqtr

I dont know much about cameras.. but does Fuji make a good model. And if so.. which one? Thanks

WWQ

Lakesammman

The photos in my GIF file (below) were taken with the Nikon 995, the closeup of the 8/7 with a microscope adaptor, using 2 Ott lights. I've been very happy with it but am awaiting the verdict from Shylock before trading up to the 5700.

Shylock - did you see the Ott light prices on the link above?? I'm going to get another one! Thanks for the link cosmo.

RotatedRainbows

NBSQLGeek

I bought mine from them, ordered it on Monday received it Thursday. Most likely Nikon extended their rebate as it is a factory rebate (I have seen a number of sellers advertising it).

EVillageProwler

I just took these pics with my new (couple of weeks old) 4500. I had to reduce the size to 640x480...

EVP

Lakesammman

Checked the Cosmo link for the Ott lights....out of stock....rats!

cosmicdebris

Do a search on eBay for Ott lites. There are quite a few up there.