First Shot with the Nikon 8800

K6AZ

Looks like I still have some fine tuning to do, but here is my first shot. As came out of the camera, the only thing I did was to crop and size it.

Stuart

Eric: Congratulations on purchasing your new camera!

I am looking forward to seeing your new coin photos as you become more familiar with your new 8800.

tmot99

Nice first shot!

tlhoy

Looks good!

Glenn

K6AZ

Thanks everyone. I'm still working with the focusing. For some reason, about three quarters of the coin is nice and sharp, but about one quarter seems to be slightly out of focus. I never had this problem with the 4300, so I will be working on it today. Here are a couple of other coins.

wam98

Nice. Very large pictures.

K6AZ

<< <i>Nice. Very large pictures. >>



The last two are 1200x1200. When I got done cropping them, they were 2400x2400. I didn't think anyone would want to see images that large here.

IrishMike

Eric great photos, what kind of lighting are you using?

K6AZ

Mike, I'm using a Testrite CS3 copystand with four 60w GE Reveal bulbs. The white balance control on this 8800 is even better than the 4300, I have it set to auto.

mgoodm3

Shooting straight-on or at a slight angle?

K6AZ

Here is just a crop of the reverse, no other editing was done to the picture.

K6AZ

<< <i>Shooting straight-on or at a slight angle? >>



I was in the habit of a slight angle because of the reflections of the bright silver body of the 4300. The 8800 is black so I don't have that problem, and the slight angle was the problem in the first images. The last one I just posted is dead on in focus, so that problem is solved.

mgoodm3

Glad to hear the problem is solved. The longer focal-length lens have a very narrow depth of focus at macro distances and require a high aperture f there is any angle at all.

Stuart

Eric: Did you use an auto-focus or a manual focus for the 1878 Morgan Photo?

With some cameras, the auto-focus may focus on the surface of the plastic slab, rather than on the coin surface, which can cause some of the lower relief portions of the coin to be out of focus, while the higher relief portions may appear to be more properly focused.

Stuart

Eric: Glad that you have resolved the focusing.

I'm glad to hear that you like the black camera body because it is less obtrusive to the photos -- especially since I also opted for the black camera body on my new digital camera.

K6AZ

Numismanic

Very nice pics!

K6AZ

Thanks Don. Here's a really strange toned 1940 Mercury Dime.

ss350camaro

Nice pics Eric !!

Very big tho

I'm hoping to someday upgrade from my 7 yr old Kodak Digital so i can take me smoe nice coin pics too It doesn't have a macro mode.

Jdurg

Beautiful pictures!

Bochiman

Dang it Eric!
Now, I am thinking I will have to get a new digital camera, with macro, and do a home set up.
Hmmmm...all you picture taking dudes may be reading a "how to set up a home photo shoot" soon......maybe after FUN.

Nice shots Eric!

Cam40

very nice pics
for my computer the first pic is just right, screen size, as is the `16 D half.
the `40 dime is a good size too.

is the 1st dollar a 60? 61?
certainly uncirculated but
tons of contact marks...nice toning nontheless.

Hadleydog

Nice shots, Eric. In fact, they are some of the best photo's I have seen posted!
You use GE Reveal bulbs.............how do you compensate for the pink tint?

K6AZ

<< <i>very nice pics
for my computer the first pic is just right, screen size, as is the `16 D half.
the `40 dime is a good size too.

is the 1st dollar a 60? 61?
certainly uncirculated but
tons of contact marks...nice toning nontheless. >>



The first is a 63PL. As with most PL Morgans, those in 63 and less really show off the contact marks because of the PL surfaces.

K6AZ

<< <i>Nice shots, Eric. In fact, they are some of the best photo's I have seen posted! >>



Thanks, I still have some fine tuning to do but I am really impressed with this camera.



<< <i>You use GE Reveal bulbs.............how do you compensate for the pink tint? >>



On my Nikon 4300, I was able to cancel out that red/pink tint by setting the white balance to Incandescent -2. With the 8800, the White balance auto mode is compensating for it, so I don't have to set it manually.

K6AZ

One more, and I'm calling it a day for playing with it.

ibzman350

Eric,

About time we get to see some pics from that new camera, very nice, I like



Herb

K6AZ

Herb, it took me two days just to become acquainted with all the extra controls on this camera, and it is very different from the 4300. I didn't want to waste a bunch of time taking pictures of coins that looked like distant planets.

Jdurg

Those Reveal Light Bulbs are sooooooooooooo much better than standard incandescent light bulbs. While my DSC-P73 doesn't have as accurate a white balance, I'm able to get rid of the pink tint via photoshop after I've transfered the pictures.

K6AZ

Exactly, if your camera can't filter out the red tint, bumping down the red a little in your photo editor does the trick.

LanLord

Holey "F", I can see the electons orbining in the outer valence in those pictures.

jom

<< <i>I can see the electons orbining in the outer valence in those pictures. >>



Yeah, but that one distored orbital will definately keep the coin from a 65 slab.

jom

K6AZ

<< <i>

<< <i>I can see the electons orbining in the outer valence in those pictures. >>



Yeah, but that one distored orbital will definately keep the coin from a 65 slab.

jom >>



Are you talking about the 1884? It's in a PCGS MS63 slab.

K6AZ

I've received a couple of PMs asking me to show how large the images are before I size them. This camera takes shots at 3264x2448, and even with compression at that size I would have trouble with my bandwidth. Here is the 1884 at just over half the size of the original.

Huge 1884

Barry

Eric,
Is that a DSLR? If so, are you using any accessory lenses?

K6AZ

No Barry, it is their new top of the line for the Coolpix series. I had talked to Sally about upgrading my camera, but I thought DSLRs were a little overkill for coins. She really picked a winner here, because I don't think I could do better with a SLR, at least not anything I would put up on the web. Here is the review for the camera:

Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review

Fairlaneman

Eric

The 1884 is by far the best picture on my monitor. The coin looks real. Hey that Merc had a hell of a die break. Pretty cool.

Ken

K6AZ

That 1940 is a strange one. By the way, it's 66 no bands. I had real trouble shooting my Mercs with the 4300, now that I have this camera I'll be able to shoot and share. And you guys thought I only did Morgans!

clackamas

How about a lincoln? copper can be hard.

Barry

Thanks for the info Eric. From what I've read, the advantages of DSLRs are:
1. Minimal shutter lag, for action shots (my coins don't see much action )
2. Be able to use your existing SLR lenses

Looks great!

K6AZ

<< <i>How about a lincoln? copper can be hard. >>



I'll try one tomorrow, but I don't have any collectible ones, it will have to be out of pocket change.

K6AZ

<< <i>Thanks for the info Eric. From what I've read, the advantages of DSLRs are:
1. Minimal shutter lag, for action shots (my coins don't see much action )
2. Be able to use your existing SLR lenses

Looks great! >>



That's exactly why I didn't go for a SLR, I have all day with the camera in a copy stand. Also, as much as there was to learn about this 8800, the DSLRs are even more complicated, and I'm certainly no pro when it comes to photography. Since your field is optics, what is your impression on the lens this uses?

Bikingnut

Nice pictures, you are obviosly using a hosting service right? I think those slightly exceed the 50K maximum.

K6AZ

<< <i>Nice pictures, you are obviosly using a hosting service right? I think those slightly exceed the 50K maximum. >>



Yes, a commerical account with high bandwidth, but not high enough for me to risk putting up 2400x2400 images.

eddyemack

Looks Super Eric!!!!!!!!! By far, the best pics that I have seen in this forum. It was so clear that I thought I saw a tear on one of those Morgans. My son has the same camera and I know how clear and precise they are. Thanks for sharing it with us.

eddye

GO STEELERS

Barry

<< <i>Since your field is optics, what is your impression on the lens this uses? >>


Lenses like these are not what I deal with, but it certainly looks good from the pics, and Nikon makes top notch lenses. I actually do use a few Nikon lenses in the office for viewing the retina.

K6AZ

<< <i>

<< <i>Since your field is optics, what is your impression on the lens this uses? >>


Lenses like these are not what I deal with, but it certainly looks good from the pics, and Nikon makes top notch lenses. I actually do use a few Nikon lenses in the office for viewing the retina. >>



The improvement over the 4300 lens is quite noticeable. I'm getting much better color too. Here is another example:

K6AZ

<< <i>Looks Super Eric!!!!!!!!! By far, the best pics that I have seen in this forum. It was so clear that I thought I saw a tear on one of those Morgans. My son has the same camera and I know how clear and precise they are. Thanks for sharing it with us.

eddye

GO STEELERS >>



Thanks Eddye. How come your son has it? You need it to do coins!

Bochiman

ttt to wait for the copper shot!

K6AZ

Oh, I forgot about that. Let me dig a bright shiney one out of my change jar.

K6AZ

Well, not a real bright one, but still mostly red and a lot of spots, the Zincolns sure don't handle much circulation well.