Question for all you camera gurus.
solid
Posts: 2,975
I'm still using my old Sony MVC-FD88, but have been thinking about upgrading
and getting semi-serious with the coin photography.
It's obvious to me from all of the gorgeous photos on the forum that the way to
go is a decent camera, a copystand and possibly a multitude of lighting options.
Jeremy made a point in his post today that one of the cons to using a copystand
is that it makes it harder to view the LCD screen of the camera.
My question is this:
Do any of the new cameras allow you to control the camera's functions from the
PC? It seems like it would be ideal to have your camera setup next to the
computer and, instead of using the LCD on the camera, be able to use your
screen as the viewfinder, and simply click buttons on the screen to control the
camera settings; zoom, exposure, focus, white balance, etc., and to take the
actual shot once you're ready.
What say you, oh knowledgeable ones?
Ken
and getting semi-serious with the coin photography.
It's obvious to me from all of the gorgeous photos on the forum that the way to
go is a decent camera, a copystand and possibly a multitude of lighting options.
Jeremy made a point in his post today that one of the cons to using a copystand
is that it makes it harder to view the LCD screen of the camera.
My question is this:
Do any of the new cameras allow you to control the camera's functions from the
PC? It seems like it would be ideal to have your camera setup next to the
computer and, instead of using the LCD on the camera, be able to use your
screen as the viewfinder, and simply click buttons on the screen to control the
camera settings; zoom, exposure, focus, white balance, etc., and to take the
actual shot once you're ready.
What say you, oh knowledgeable ones?
Ken
0
Comments
Stacy
<< <i>Jeremy made a point in his post today that one of the cons to using a copystand
is that it makes it harder to view the LCD screen of the camera. >>
That's not exactly what I meant... when I was using my mini-tripod, I'd rotate the lens of my camera down, and the LCD would face outward... I could basically sit/kneel on the floor, and still see the LCD at the edge of my desk. With a copy stand, the LCD faces the ceiling as if it were a normal camera, so I stand.
Jeremy
Looking at the Nikon D70, there is a $99 optional software package called
Nikon Capture 4, that allows you to do just that.
Using the Camera Control component of Nikon Capture, you can control almost all aspects
of camera operation remotely via USB port from your computer. If Camera Control is running
when a D1-series camera is connected, pictures taken with the camera will be stored on your
computer hard disk, not the camera memory card.
The camera can be operated either directly or by using the controls in the Camera Control
window. Camera settings are displayed in Camera Control. As photographs are captured,
Nikon Capture Camera Control can automatically process the images to reflect image
adjustment settings in Nikon Capture Editor.
There is quite a bit of additional information there. The one thing I can't tell is if you get
a real-time view of your shot on the computer screen before the photo is taken. Even
if it doesn't, it looks like it could be a real timesaver when shooting a lot of photos.
Eric, have you tried this software with your D70? It states that the D70 camera comes
with a 30-day evaluation license of this software.
Ken
And not to side track the thread too much, but I just bought some now lightbulbs. I found a GE Realife bulb that is supposed to bring out colors. Does anyone else use these bulbs? They look like they give a red cast of light. I need to reset my white balance for these and see how they do. I will try to post some pictures later today.
I have noticed with my Nikon 3100,that i have not had to clean/re-format the card since we bought it ?
128 Meg card and have shot about 250 pix.
Software is Nikon view 6.
<< <i>Now you are going to make me go through my box for my D70 again and see if that evaluation software is there. I need to get a copy stand. Maybe if I stop spending money on coins I can afford one. I also just got a Nikon Coolpix5200. I may try using it to take photos. Anyone have experience with this?
And not to side track the thread too much, but I just bought some now lightbulbs. I found a GE Realife bulb that is supposed to bring out colors. Does anyone else use these bulbs? They look like they give a red cast of light. I need to reset my white balance for these and see how they do. I will try to post some pictures later today. >>
I've gone through just about every household bulb in existance, including the Reveals. I've found the best bulb for coin photography to be the Sylvania Daylight Plus. They are only available at Lowe's and a few other smaller hardware stores.
It is a lot faster and more covenant do the shots this way. You can control all camera functions from the PC, and you see the shots quickly.
<< <i>I normally take all my coin shots with the camera (D70) connected to the PC. The images go direct to the computer and you don't need a CF card. The only down side is that the battery won't last very long. Transferring the shots from camera to computer really drains the battery. About 50 shots is all you can get before having to re-charge. I have two batteries so it's not a problem for me. The best solution would be to get the AC adapter. I had to buy an extension cable. The one that came with the camera was far too short. You can get them at Radio Shack for about $20. You also have to buy the Nikon software (Capture Control) after the 30 day trial expires for $99. I thought that was the pits. It should come with the camera.
It is a lot faster and more covenant do the shots this way. You can control all camera functions from the PC, and you see the shots quickly. >>
I bought the AC adapter, so I don't have that problem. Though I felt kind of bent over paying $90 for an AC adapter. There is no way around it, they use a special end that plugs into the camera.
I would take it that even using the PC, you can't get a real time image through the lens due to the SLR configuration.
That's true. The mirror is always in front of the lens except when the shutter operates. You can do a depth of field preview, but that's not very helpful when shooting coins. I shoot with manual everything including focus, and making the adjustments on the computer is very easy. The only drawback is I find myself shooting 15 to 50 shots on every coin trying to get that last little tweak.
There are several important parameters when shooting coins, but the real key is the lighting. I find that a combination of direct light, reflectors, and flash give the best results. This is the hardest part of getting good, accurate coin shots. No two coins are exactly alike and the lighting arrangement needs to be optimized for each.