what are u using to take pictures

LBGrob

to post here? my camera (5 mega pix) doesnt take a good pic of a coin...
i did find a good digital microsope camera thing...but that cost $200+ (too steep for a newbie)
any thoughts

Gonfunko

I use a Canon Powershot G1. 3.3 Megapixles, and it works great for coin pics.

ibzman350

"my camera (5 mega pix) doesnt take a good pic of a coin..."

So why doesn't your camera take good pic, no macro....with 5 mega pix, could it be operator technique??


BTW I use a Nikon 4300


Herb

LBGrob

I can get a pic.... but i cant get a close up zoom... things blur out...

but yeah probably user error

ziggy29

I use a Kodak DX3900. I'm only now figuring out to take pretty good pictures on a fairly consistent basis. I just have to work on the lighting now. I have to use my imaging software's whiteness correction sometimes, and I'd rather not futz with the pictures at all, but until I get better lighting or equipment, it's the only way I can accurately image the coin. NGC holders should not look beige.

eyoung429

Depends on the coin.....but my fav is a Canon A75

nwcs

I use a Nikon CoolPix 3100 for my stuff. Had it for a year. I'd love to get a really high end camera but don't want to spend the money. Would rather use that to buy coins.

magikbilly

Hi,
I use an Epson Perfection 2450 Photo Scanner with pretty reasonable results.

Best,
Billy

tsacch

Ricoh RDC-7 for me........used to use a Ricoh 4200, but stepped up to a better megapixel cam.

seanq

Iuse a Fuji Finepix A210. I have also used an older Sony Mavica with some success.

One suggestion for you - you shouldn't have to get right up close to take a decent picture, you're better off backing off within your camera's focus range and cropping the images later. The pics I get with my Fuji have a ton of bleed, the coin is no more than 10-15% of the raw image, but when I crop them with PhotoDeluxe the coin is usually perfectly in focus.


Sean Reynolds

DesertRat

Canon Powershot G2 with a 58mm macro lens. Or my HP scanner in 4800 DPI resolution

oldcameoproofsguy

I use a Canon Digital Rebel (6.3 megapixel SLR) with a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens.




Sorry,

I didn't read your post too well. I used to use a Sony Mavica. It was about $300. It took pretty decent photos and had nice macro capabilities. The only thing that I didn't like was that it was very tought to get the lighting right so that the camera would take "sight seen" colors. It is also limiting to have to hold a camera several inches from the coin to get good shots of it. That is the main advantage to an SLR setup.

TommyB

I use the same as oldcameoproof guy. digital rebel with 100 mm macro lens.

sliderider

Don't have a digi-cam yet, but just won an auction for an Intel QX3+ microscope. I'll tell you all what kind of pictures it takes after it arrives.

cosmicdebris

Same here Digital Rebel SLR with a Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens

Colorfulcoins

I still use a 2 megapixel Olympus C2020 - have been for probably 4 years.......and I still take decent pictures. I will admit that my camera is the limiting factor in taking better pictures - the Macro function limits me to not getting any closer than about 10 inches - and as a result, coins smaller than Nickels are really tough to photograph.

With a 5 megapixel camera, you should be able to get great pics but you need to know how to best setup the camera and arrange the lighting (more important than the camera itself I think) - and you'll get much better (great) pictures.....

mgoodm3

Nikon D70 with 105mm macro lens.

IrishMike

I use an Olympus zoom 5050 C, which is 5 megapixel. It's difficult for me to believe that there is a 5 megapixel camera out there without a decent macro function, sounds to me like you need to dive into the intstructions. This photo was shot without any adjustment to wb or iso using super-macro function. It managed to capture the color of the coin perfectly.

earlwbollinger

I used to use a Sony Maciva CD250 with macro lenses, still works great.
I also now like to use a tiny Pentax Optio S4i, which has a very nice built in, Macro and SuperMacro feature.
The Pentax does great shots and brings out the proof coins nicely.
Then there is my handy trusty old Canon Scanner which works very well, but loses the luster on the coins.
Earlier Thread Pics
But then a good camera stand helps to make picture taking even more.
here are some shots of my homemade stand I did a little while ago.
Camera Stand

cohodk

Those that are using the Canon digital rebel.....Where did you buy them? Local camera store or online? Thanks

SDCollector

1st tip: don't zoom. Move the camera, don't zoom the lens. It makes it much more difficult for the camera to auto focus.

2nd tip: almost any $300+ digital camera (with macro) from either Olympus, Nikon, or Canon will take excellent pics. I wouldn't use a microscope unless you want to magnify for variety ID.

Hope that helps.

forgot to add: I use an Oly C-4000. It's discountinued, but you may be able to find one on eBay. Olympus is the gold standard in small compact cameras, IMO.

shylock

I'm still hooked on my old Nikon 995, a relic compared to what's available today. Increased megapixels and high end lenses help, but as mentioned above the camera is only as good as the time you're willing to spend with it. I spent 2 years fiddling with mine before I took one realistic copper pic, with many time-outs due to complete frustration. When it comes to imaging coins the lights, camera settings and tricks are just as important as the camera.

oldcameoproofsguy

<< <i>Those that are using the Canon digital rebel.....Where did you buy them? Local camera store or online? Thanks >>



If you search around online you should be able to find the whole setup for about:

Camera body: $650
Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens: $400
Lexar 1GB 40X CF card: $200

I got mine from smile camera and video in NY, but I realized later that there were better deals to be found. Check the ads in the back of Digital Camera or any of the other Digital Camera periodicals for the best deal.

BeeMan

What does SLR stand for?
I have a Canon Powershot A70. I still have trouble getting the ligthing right. One part of the coin always seems to be in a shadow.

sliderider

mgoodm,

Nice pic of a VDB penny. Too bad about the nick near the right wheat ear. Sometimes a photo can show TOO MUCH detail.

islemangu

I'm still hooked on my old Nikon 995, a relic compared to what's available today

me too but mine are the really old fashion 35mm film.
Nikon F4 and F3(just cant leave the sound and feel of that mechanical shutter)
200mm macro lens


What does SLR stand for?

Single Lens Reflex

prooflike

I use a Kodak CX6330, images are like this

cohodk

Thanks OCPG. My local shop is clueless and I am sometimes leery about buying electronics online. Looks like I will have to make a trip into the city. The price isnt as bad as I thought.

cosmicdebris

More Rebel pics