Photography Question

Curley

I am interested in photographing my coins and assuming not using a microscope, what is an appropriate focus distance limit for the camera to achieve good closeups? Any suggested models?

jdsinva

Some of these guys have digital SLR cameras with macro lens and most people can see the molecules in the coins. I know with my little cheapie olympus, I usually get about 8 inches away to get in a shot of a coin.

jayboxx

I was interested in the same thing, since I realized I can't do anything worth a hoot with my scanner.

So, I just ordered the Canon Powershot A610 from Dell, I read some really great things about this new camera, especially about it's macro capabilities (as close as around 1 inch from the object). It should be here in less than a week so we will see how it goes. Dell has a promotion throught the 10th I think, where you can buy it for $239.00, shipping was $3.60, I can give you the promotional code if you want it. Check out the reviews on the camera at:



Steves Digicam reviews



Amazon

jdsinva

I think Mad Marty uses a powershot and his pics are awesome!

mgoodm3

Tough question to answer. You want a camera with a good macro capability. nikon 4000 series is always popular around here. How close it focuses can be good for super close-ups, but doesn't mean that much. If you have a very short focal length lens you'll need to get that close to get a good macro shot. A longer focal length lens will be able to shoot that same picture from farther away. I feel that you want a camera that will shoot good macro shots from a reasonable distance. From a little farther away the lighting gets better. From a half inch, you really can't get good lighting. That's one of the reasons that I switched to a Digi SLR, to get the camera farther away.

MikeInFL

Mgoodm3 is dead on. Closer is not better. Closer limits your lighting choices which is the key to good photographs of coins.

Whatever you get, I would suggest no less than a 90mm lens. While you can get away with a shorter lens -- I do use a 60mm on occasion mostly for small coins -- it is rarely needed and I find myself working at 200mm approximately ten times as often as 60mm.

The first question you need to ask yourself is how much you want to spend. Once you've answered that question we can help direct you to the best camera in your price range.

Take care...Mike

rsdoug81

I just purchased my Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 last weekend. It was a little expensive (about $400), but it was a great deal considering the macro and supermacro modes. I'm still experimenting with lighting, but you can't beat the coin pics this thing takes for under $400. It also has a 12x optical zoom.

I'd post a couple of pics here, but my software won't allow me to shrink them below 50kb...

Edited to add: It's a 6 megapixel camera.

LanLord

I can tell you this, the guys on this board that take the best pictures, do so with sort of middle of the road or less camara equipment.

It's all in the photographic talent and not at all in the equipment.

pursuitofliberty

The most important thing about the distance with many mid-range Digitals that have an optical zoom and macro feature, is the focal range of your cameras lens in the Macro Mode. This will equate to the closest and furthest distance the object can be from the lense and still take a clear Macro photo.

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>I I'd post a couple of pics here, but my software won't allow me to shrink them below 50kb... >>



Simple answer to that:

Open a free Photobucket account

Upload will auto edit to below 250K

Sufficiently small for the forum

jayboxx

This may be due to my ignorance, but how will Photobucket's auto editing to below 259K help with the 50K limit with the forum site?

jayboxx

Never mind question above, figured it out :-)

Curley

Thanks all for the help. You've given me a lot to consider and good tips. Time for more research. Oh, and I want to spend $400 or less.

ldhair

<< <i>It's all in the photographic talent and not at all in the equipment. >>


Very true in my opinion.
Practice with what you have is the answer to great pics.
An SLR makes things a bit easier as far as lighting is concerned.

LindeDad

There have been a couple of different threads on this subject here. Use the search function to get more info.
BTW in my mind allmost as important as the camera is a good copy stand. You can never hold a camera as steady as a stand.
Right behind that comes another whole subject of lighting.

MikeInFL

<< <i>Thanks all for the help. You've given me a lot to consider and good tips. Time for more research. Oh, and I want to spend $400 or less. >>



$400 or less is going to keep you away from DSLRs, which are my area of specialty. I'm sure someone with a conventional ditigal camera will make a good recommendation. Whatever you get, be sure that it supports a custom white balance, supports macro (preferably at 90mm+)), and has the ability to attach to a tripod/copy stand.

Be less concerned with megapixels as long as it's over 2 then you should be fine if your intent is to publish them on the web -- if you want to make larger prints then 4-6+ is a better choice.

Good luck, and I can't wait to see your first pics!!!....Mike

SDCollector

I use an Olumpus C4000 (discontinued) with the following settings:

super macro mode
lens focal length about 9mm (45mm film equivalent)
focus distance about 12 inches

With my lighting set up, I can't move my camera any closer that 12 inches without messing up the lighting.

I use a cheap tripod and two desklamps with Reveal bulbs.

Any mid-level digital with macro mode and manual white balance adjustment will work fine. Manual white balance is the most important feature. Most digital lenses will focus fine up close.

Here's a good place for digital photography info.