What digital camera takes the best coin photos?

sumdunce

I am thinking about getting a digital camera to get better pictures of my coins (the scanner butchers the coin's beauty). I really like the Canon Digital Rebel EOS 6.3MP. Are there less expensive options to get a good digital picture?

Also, where would I get the camera stands (not tripod) that people like Marty and Russ are using to get the awesome head on shots.

KurtHorn

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 Panasonic DMC-FZ20

Clink the link for a review...

mgoodm3

Really can't go wrong with the digi rebel, but you'll need a nice copystand to hold it, gonna be heavy. The mid-range nikons are well liked around here, much cheaper.

For copystands B & H photo is a good place

Darkhorse

That depends on who's taking the pictures.

MacCrimmon

<< <i>That depends on who's taking the pictures. >>



My first and only digicam was the Nikon Coolpix 950....very old now.

Just be sure it has good macro capability......

DH can take perfect shots with a pinhole box camera, so can mgoodm3

ksteelheader

I don't believe that the camera is the most important piece of equipment. The human being operating it is!

MrXray

I have a Olympus D-540. Its a great camera. I'm just starting to practice the close up's. But here is a couple. I do need to work on the lighting technique. Can someone ttt that lamp shade thread, and PM me? Thanks.

northcoin

Costco had a great deal this past month on the formerly $500 (now retails at $450.00) ultra small flat Sony which has incredible macro features. It was flying out the door at Costco for $350.00. Anyone put one to use for coin photography?

The DSC-T33 is only 3/4" thick and fits in a shirt pocket. It has 5.1 megapixels. It has 3x optical zoom from a Carl Zeiss lens and includes a 2.5" LCD monitor. As to its macro features the Sony website reports:

"With its extraordinary close focusing capability (1 cm) and oversized LCD, the DSC-T33's "Magnifying Glass Mode" can display images at over 3 times actual size. This powerful capability opens new possibilities in macro photography."

cdan12

I have a olympus 5050,but I take all my coin photos with a $55 (used) ricoh rdc4300, I believe russ does also,it has a great micro lens, Dan

ddbird

NIkons have some of the best macro modes, and they are decent cameras for the price. Olympus' are also pretty good.

Barry

The size of the camera doesn't matter. It's how you use it

poorguy

Yeah Baby!
















All seriousness aside, the Fujifilm S7000 takes some pretty awesome pics and is simple to use.

cosmicdebris

True the picture taker makes a big difference but a nice ditigal SLR like the Rebel does not hurt.

coinbuf

<<True the picture taker makes a big difference but a nice ditigal SLR like the Rebel does not hurt.>>

Actualy an SLR can be more difficult to learn that a point and shoot digital. The Nicon coolpix line is better for a beginer.

Chris

aeast236

I just listed a Nikon CoolPix 5700 on the bst forum if you are interested. Good camera.
Not trying to spam...i acutally tried to pm the thread originator but it wouldn't work.
-Aaron

AuldFartte

I just got an Olympus C-770. So far, I'm happy with it. Lightweight, works well with a small copy stand. But, knowledge and lighting are key factors in getting good results. I'm still working on both

The Oly lists for nearly $500.

Darkhorse

I'd recommend a Canon A95. I may forego coins for a great while to pay for it as my old A70 isn't producing images as big as I'd like.

K6AZ

Take a look at the Nikon 5400. Several people are using these here, and they take great coin pictures. Nikon has a $200 rebate on this camera until the end of March, making the net cost of the camera $200-300 depending on where you buy it.

DSLRs take the best pictures, but have some drawbacks. They are -

Cost - The cheapest DSLR and lens is going to run over $800

Weight - DSLRs are heavy and use a mechanical (mirror) shutter. They require very sturdy stands, tripods are not sufficient

Viewfinder - DSLRs do not show the image to be taken in the LCD monitor. You must use the optical viewfinder.

Learning curve - Even for people very experienced in shooting with consumer digicams, they are very difficult to learn and take quite a bit of practice.

oldcameoproofsguy

The only thing that I don't like about my digital rebel is that there has to be plenty of light to get really vivid color. The emos technology is poor in low lit situations. For shooting coins in slabs this provides a challenge. Otherwise, I shoot with a Canon digital rebel with a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens on a sturdy tripod. With a little effort and some experimentation, anyone can become a really good macro photographer with this gear.

K6AZ

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that issue with the Canon. The D70 will get good color even in poor light.

TheRock

Cannon G4 or G5. The best and there is no comparison.

K6AZ

<< <i>Cannon G4 or G5. The best and there is no comparison. >>



Those aren't digital cameras, are they?

LindeDad

I think the best is the one someboby else is using. No matter what I do with mine I always see some pictures by a bunch of you guys that are better than mine.