Digicams ... what's hot & what's not?

Askari

I was all set to buy a new digicam after last Christmas, but life took a decidedly busier turn. So, one more time, we're planning to buy one over the holidays. (I'm tired of having only auction pics to post. ) I know a lot of folks have bought new ones over the past year and have had a lot of fun playing with them, so please let me know what y'all think are the top 3-4 choices for under $750 for coin photography and general family use. TIA!

Darkhorse

I use the Canon A70. It's served me well while photographing Australia, Greece, Germany, France, Canada etc. as well as coins and collections (such as Dimitri's stuff).

The Canon A70 is an old model now. I've put so much use into mine that I'm sure it won't last another year, let this be a lesson to use a camera bag.

But I would like to get the Canon A95. Has absolutely everything you need. And it's well under $750. Get it.

harasha

Check out some of the Nikons that allow you to attach a special lighting device for macro photos.

tbirde56

Let me ask the question from a budget viewpoint:
What's the best (if any) digital camera for coin shots for $150 or less?

earlwbollinger

Let me ask the question from a budget viewpoint:
What's the best (if any) digital camera for coin shots for $150 or less?

Well that sorta kills it. . .

Maybe if you check out Fry's Electronics, and see if they have any older models on clearance sale.
What you really want is a digital camera that has a macro closeup capability, some cameras call this a flower option.
All the under $200 cameras that I saw so far didn't have a macro capability.

tbirde56

Thanks for the answer. Gotta have that macro! Prices keep coming down so I'll just wait. In the meantime I'll just collect coins.

rhound1977

Good Macro is a must, my pictures of late are with my new Nikon 8700, which is at or around $700, but could be found for less with a prudent search.

Now if I just had Darkhorse's talents, my photos may look better than they do.....

cosmicdebris

My recommendation would put you over the $750.00 but you can't beat a digital SLR with interchangeable lenses. Canon Digital Rebel all the way.

spinaker2000

be sure to check out stevesdigicams.com for Q&A, best prices and etc.......

Aethelred

I use a Nikon that cost about $300 and I get great results (at least as good as my limited talent will allow).

goldrush00013

<< <i>Let me ask the question from a budget viewpoint:
What's the best (if any) digital camera for coin shots for $150 or less?

Well that sorta kills it. . .

Maybe if you check out Fry's Electronics, and see if they have any older models on clearance sale.
What you really want is a digital camera that has a macro closeup capability, some cameras call this a flower option.
All the under $200 cameras that I saw so far didn't have a macro capability. >>




Get a Nikon Coolpix 2200 It has Macro mode 1.6 inches I think. You can get it for$150 if you look around.

Here is a pic with mine. Not great but gets the point across.

wybrit

I have an Olympus D-560 Zoom 3.2 Mpixel. It takes decent pictures of coins but really eats batteries. After just a few pictures, I have to recharge my NiMH batteries. I use an AC adapter for coin pictures.

Raw


Slab

Darkhorse

With the Canon Powershot A series, (A75, A85, A95 etc) there are lens accessories, a wide lens, a macro one, a telephoto one as well. Given that fact I see no large advantages that a digital SLR has over a P&S, especially considering the screen on P&S digicams has little to no parallax. Plus the Canon A series has all the manual features that a DSLR would have. If I wanna use an SLR I'll use my old 1973 Minolta with transparencies and scan them once they're developed.