New Camera - Fuji S7000 (big pictures) (white balance fixed)

BigGreek

I've owned an S5000 for some time and am very happy with it, but I needed something a bit
more feature rich and powerful. What I like about this camera:

1.8" LCD (S5000 has a 1.5")
Super-macro mode (no need for macro lens)
quick-focus in manual-focus mode (does a better job on coins that I can, manually)
can take a micro hard-disk as well as a Dx flash card (virtually unlimited storage)
can use an ISO remote actuator (no longer need to futz with timers for long exposure shots)
has a hot shoe for better flash units

Below are a couple of pictures of the Collectors Club SAE (MS69). The white balance was
dead on without any adjustment (given my lighting) and the shots were taken with regular
macro and quick-focus. All I had to do was adjust the f-stop for the right brightness.

I think these camera can be had now for under $400 and they are a super deal.

Obv.
Rev.

OK, I adjusted the white balance per the manual and here are the results:

Obv.
Rev.

tlhoy

Beautiful, just play with the White balance.

airplanenut

Very nice! As Glenn said, the white balance is off--nice start!

meos1

Great shot. I agree with the prior assessments. Adjust the white balance some and possibly decrease the exposure. Good Job, Nice coin.

Dan

stev32k

The others are being very kind. That is not a good picture. Have you ever seen a solid gold colored SAE? You should preview your images before posting them.

BigGreek

Thanks for the tips. I must be slightly color blind - to me the balance looks close.
The wierd thing about this camera is that it is so damn revealing. I never noticed
the ding on her skirt before looking at these pictures.

mrdq

<< <i>The others are being very kind. That is not a good picture. Have you ever seen a solid gold colored SAE? You should preview your images before posting them. >>



We don't have to look very far in this world to find pain, suffering, apathy or a host of other negativities. Heck you seem to be dishing it out right here.

How about saying something like NICE CLEAR PICTURE BUT ISN'T THE COLOR A LITTLE OFF? that's constructive criticism not just plaing old boring criticism.



I think it's a great picture!! Looks like a nice camera. (i bet you know the SAE doesn't have that color though.. try adjusting the colors a bit)


Keep up the photography. Those of us who don't live near a coin shop like to see pics.

K6AZ

BigGreek, look in the manual under the white balance. Find out how to use preset white balance metering, and that should solve your problem. Your image has a heavy yellow cast from incandescent lighting.

mrdq

maybe the monitor colors are off at your house... that could be it also.

ellewood

Thanks for posting the info about your camera. I will have to agree with the others about the balance...but the picture itself looks outstanding. I have been looking for a camera that can produce pics of this quality without having to take my pics almost two inches from the coin. Question: about how far away was your camera from the coin when you snapped these pics?

Looks like the cam can be had for a little over $400 on Amazon.com.

ddbird

Nice encouragement stev32k

Test with a white piece of computer paper...place in the light you use to photograph, and change the settings till the paper looks white when viewing from the camera

BigGreek

ellewood, the camera was about 6" from the coin. I used a tripod and a small table.
I think I've seen it for $375-ish. Try a google search. I picked up a refurbished unit
off ebay. Paid $340, shipped.

K6AZ

ddbird, I just checked out the specs on that camera. That camera will do it automatically without having to fiddle with the settings. From looking at the specs, it appears to be a nice camera. 6.3 megapixel, which is more than enough for doing coins.

BigGreek

<< <i>The others are being very kind. That is not a good picture. Have you ever seen a solid gold colored SAE? You should preview your images before posting them. >>



Yep, the next thing I will do with this camera is try and adjust the white balance. This is something I always
have difficulty with, though.

meos1

BigGreek,

How many mega pixel is that? (Thanks K6AZ, 6Mp)What is the resolution, image size, format, and f-stop settings?

Dan

stev32k

<<How about saying something like NICE CLEAR PICTURE BUT ISN'T THE COLOR A LITTLE OFF? that's constructive criticism not just plaing old boring criticism.>>

I think that would be very misleading, unhelpful, and dishonest. The picture does not come close to depicting the image of a SAE. The first and most overwhelming impression one sees is a gold coin. A Silver American Eagle is not a gold coin. So saying he has done a good job is not helpful at all. The image may show good detail, but the gold color negates that - and if the image had been previewed it should have been obvious.

meos1

I like the champagne color. It looks classy, kinda like a sepia toned shot of yester years.

Dan

FrankHKP7

I think the pics look great for first time shots!

K6AZ

<< <i>BigGreek,

How many mega pixel is that? (Thanks K6AZ, 6Mp)What is the resolution, image size, format, and f-stop settings?

Dan >>



Meos1, here is the review on the camera with all the details:

S7000

DMWJR

<< <i><<How about saying something like NICE CLEAR PICTURE BUT ISN'T THE COLOR A LITTLE OFF? that's constructive criticism not just plaing old boring criticism.>>

I think that would be very misleading, unhelpful, and dishonest. The picture does not come close to depicting the image of a SAE. The first and most overwhelming impression one sees is a gold coin. A Silver American Eagle is not a gold coin. So saying he has done a good job is not helpful at all. The image may show good detail, but the gold color negates that - and if the image had been previewed it should have been obvious. >>



If you can't say something nice . . . STFU!

mgoodm3

Good picture, Maybe my monitor is off, but does that look like a gold coin?

TommyB

BigGreek

TommyB, nice picture! I'm goinng to fix the balance tonight and
try again. I'm not even going to attempt a proof coin for the time
being.

BigGreek

FYI, the camera is selling for $359 at this vendor's WEB site:

http://www.bestchoicedigital.com/store/Stores_App/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=1872177254187&Store_id=101&page_id=23&Item_ID=2848

I have not purchased from this vendor.

K6AZ

<< <i>FYI, the camera is selling for $359 at this vendor's WEB site:

<a href="http://www.bestchoicedigital.com/store/Stores_App/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=1872177254187&Store_id=101&page_id=23&Item_ID=2848">http://www.bestchoicedigital.com/store/Stores_App/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=1872177254187&Store_id=101&page_id=23&Item_ID=2848</A&gt;

I have not purchased from this vendor. >>



Be very wary of these online sellers who offer too-good-to-be-true prices. One look at reseller ratings tells you why:

resellerratings.com

BigGreek

Holy crap!! I just read the feedback on this seller. Thanks for the heads up!

carl

Same as one of the cameras I've been using to try to take pictures of coins but can never get the lighting correct. I tried the tripod, coin on table, variable lights from everywhere, even outside in the cold but I just stink at close ups. If you notice you can get an adapter to put on the front to add additional lenses or filters. 55mm is the size. I tried taking pictures with the FUJI S7000 with adapter ring, 1 & 2 & 3 Vivitar close up filters, with macro and super macro on & off. Like I said, I just stink at close ups. Your pictures are great. I wouldn't worry about the comments about the white balance if your pictures are that clear and void of glare. This is a coin forum, not a photography show.

DMWJR

Dayum, TB -- that pic really turned out right the second time. I hope you don't mind if I copy it.

cosmicdebris

Here's an UNC with more appropiate color.

DMWJR

Do yourself a favor and buy a camera from someone like Wolfcamera. I have been down this road with slimeball camera sellers and lost big time. You need someone who has a contract with the USA division of the camera manufacturer.

TommyB

Cosmic, I love your pic of the BU. I have so much trouble with those I hardly even try anymore.

Very nice.

TB

DMWJR

Stick with the proofs then. You've got that perfected!

cosmicdebris

Thanks TB your shot of the proof is no slouch either.

What I find is the further away the lights and the camera are away from the coin the better. You need a really good Macro lens though.

K6AZ

<< <i>Thanks TB your shot of the proof is no slouch either.

What I find is the further away the lights and the camera are away from the coin the better. You need a really good Macro lens though. >>



But, be careful. If you shoot Morgans and SAEs, and you get a really high power macro lens, you end up having to be nearly three feet from the coin. I bought a Sigma 105mm lens, and the camera had to be so far up the pole it would shake when the shutter was released. I now have a Sigma 50mm macro lens, and I like it much better for larger coins. The 105mm is still the best for cents and dimes.

BigGreek

tlhoy

carl

The Fuji S7000 does indeed sell for about $300 here at camera shows. They come with a 64MB XD card and a 16meg compact flash card. Both are in the camera and can be switched back and forth. Mine came with a 256 Meg compact flash card due to some haggling with the seller at the camera show. The 6.3 Megapixel image is to large for my old priter so have to reduce to 3.1 for printing purposes. However, I still can't take as good of pictures of coins as shown here. It's obviously me, not the camera.

K6AZ

<< <i>The Fuji S7000 does indeed sell for about $300 here at camera shows. They come with a 64MB XD card and a 16meg compact flash card. Both are in the camera and can be switched back and forth. Mine came with a 256 Meg compact flash card due to some haggling with the seller at the camera show. The 6.3 Megapixel image is to large for my old priter so have to reduce to 3.1 for printing purposes. However, I still can't take as good of pictures of coins as shown here. It's obviously me, not the camera. >>



Carl, that price must be for grey market/refurbished units. The best advice I can give is to stick with buying the US version with the full US warranty. The cheapest price on the S7000 right now through a trusted online merchant is $427.50. Sure you can save $100 buying greymarket/refurb, but just try to get one of those serviced under warranty. It's not worth it.

DMWJR

Thanks Eric. That's exactly what I was saying. If you have a prob with a grey market, you are going to be buying a new camera. I do know an outfit in Atlanta that will repair grey market cameras. Let me know if any of you have a grey market sitting on the shelf. It took me two years to find them.

oldcameoproofsguy

Those are some really nice looking shots for a $400 camera!

DMWJR

OCPG, it's good to see you post! I haven't seen you post in a while, which could be my fault entirely!