Camera suggestions.
keets
Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
Can anyone suggest a good quality digital camera with superior macro capability for our coin pictures?? I've followed Russ' lead(thanks) to date with the Ricoh and have found the Nikon 950 he's using to be a good choice, with one exception.....................neither allows me to display the image on my PC screen as I'm "capturing" it so I'm forced to use a card reader which means I'm going back and forth till I get it right. My understanding with the Nikon 950 is that it'll perform this function with a USB lead to a Television screen, but the parrallel cable is garbage and not reliable.
Any help with models/manufacturers would be good and sample pictures appreciated. Thanks.
Al H.
Any help with models/manufacturers would be good and sample pictures appreciated. Thanks.
Al H.
0
Comments
pictures look good.
was going to get the older 950 model but these are still going for nearly 100 on ebay.
figured i may as well get a new one under warranty for another hundred.
And here is how I have to attach it to the TV
I don't know why I have to attach it like that, but it works great
Here is an example
Could never find software to allow me to view the image first on the PC.
It's just a patch cord to set up a TV to view the image.
I now have the Canon EOS Rebel XT. SLR's are really cool.
Add a macro lens and your almost set.
The software with the camera has remote shot.
This lets you adjust setting and take the image from the PC.
You don't get to view it first but it pops up as soon as you take it.
At this point you can delete it, edit it, or just keep on taking pics.
It's great to see the image without having to load a batch to the PC first.
The down side is having to learn a new camera. I really had a tough time with the small digital cameras.
Knowing SLRs and 35mm cameras really well made it easy for me to pick up on the new Canon.
It's nice to be able to get the lens back a ways from the coin. Lighting is much less a problem.
Just a few thoughts.
This pic was taken right after I took the camera out of the box.
Turned the flash off and took the shot.
Not great but I loved it.
Any of the Nikon bodies D50, D70, D100, D200, etc. will take excellent shots. For the lens one of the good macro's like the Nikon 60mm, f28; Tamron 90mm, or the Nikon 105mm, f2.8 will get you some amazing images.
<< <i>Does "AV Out" mean you can show it on a TV? cm >>
On my Coolpix 950 I plug the headphone-like jack into a hole on the camera marked "Video Out"
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that almost any one of todays modern 5 megapixel or better cameras will work exceptionally. The real key here is lighting and flash and the inclusion of a tripod. Really, really nice desktop tripods for small digital cameras can be had for less than $10. Canon pocket sized digital cameras have pretty great macro functions on them.
The photo here was taken with a Nikon D70 and a 50mm lens that cost about $80. The little lens is sharp, sharp, sharp. I placed the coin on a table with a shiny background and next time I shoot I'll take a piece of white matte photo paper.
White balance is pretty critical as well and I won't get into the steps I use to do a decent white balance but auto white balance and most any photo program these days can alter the white balance via color temperature as well.
I don't think much money has to be spent here. Check out the camera forums at www.dpreview.com for great info on macro shooting.
John
Never view my other linked pages. They aren't coin related.
You can also easily adjust white balance and you can even do custom curves for color correction with most Nikon DSLR's. An exceptional toy.
John
Never view my other linked pages. They aren't coin related.
<< <i>I used a Nikon 4500 for a while. It's almost the same camera as the 950.
Could never find software to allow me to view the image first on the PC.
It's just a patch cord to set up a TV to view the image.
I now have the Canon EOS Rebel XT. SLR's are really cool.
Add a macro lens and your almost set.
The software with the camera has remote shot.
This lets you adjust setting and take the image from the PC.
You don't get to view it first but it pops up as soon as you take it.
At this point you can delete it, edit it, or just keep on taking pics.
It's great to see the image without having to load a batch to the PC first.
The down side is having to learn a new camera. I really had a tough time with the small digital cameras.
Knowing SLRs and 35mm cameras really well made it easy for me to pick up on the new Canon.
It's nice to be able to get the lens back a ways from the coin. Lighting is much less a problem.
Just a few thoughts.
I agree you can get a Canon Rebel XT SLR
Here for $549 with lens. Or you can get the SLR body for about $450 new and get a cheap lens off of ebay.
Nice thing about going this route is you can monitor images on your computer and you can get custom lenses any time you want. It is a pretty great deal for an 8MP SLR.
I am about ready to spring for the Canon 30D but that is for other purposes as well.
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Link
---------------------------------
"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished!"
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Becoka:
It appears I'm in the identical position as you are. Making the switch from film to digital at my job is imminent, and the Canon 30D is the front-runner choice of equipment.
But how does it works for coins? I've never seen any coin images shot with it. And, would the 18-55 lens be adequate for coins, or would the 17-85 be better?
<< <i>"I am about ready to spring for the Canon 30D but that is for other purposes as well."
Becoka:
It appears I'm in the identical position as you are. Making the switch from film to digital at my job is imminent, and the Canon 30D is the front-runner choice of equipment.
But how does it works for coins? I've never seen any coin images shot with it. And, would the 18-55 lens be adequate for coins, or would the 17-85 be better? >>
From everything I have read the 17-85 IS lens is far superior to the rinky dink stock 18-55 lens. There is a reason one lens is $75 and the other is $400+.
I am going to make my order next week and get the body plus the 17-85 lens. Here is a link for the best price I have seen so far: Link
<< <i>
<< <i>"I am about ready to spring for the Canon 30D but that is for other purposes as well."
Becoka:
It appears I'm in the identical position as you are. Making the switch from film to digital at my job is imminent, and the Canon 30D is the front-runner choice of equipment.
But how does it works for coins? I've never seen any coin images shot with it. And, would the 18-55 lens be adequate for coins, or would the 17-85 be better? >>
From everything I have read the 17-85 IS lens is far superior to the rinky dink stock 18-55 lens. There is a reason one lens is $75 and the other is $400+.
I am going to make my order next week and get the body plus the 17-85 lens. Here is a link for the best price I have seen so far: Link >>
That online shop is one of the scammers out of NYC. Stay far, far away from this seller.
Don't believe me, look HERE
<< <i>
That online shop is one of the scammers out of NYC. Stay far, far away from this seller.
Don't believe me, look HERE >>
Thanks Mike I am definately going to find another dealer for this. I am still placing my order next week, probably with bhphoto.com who I deal with all of the time. Unfortunately it will cost $$$ and I might have to re-think my lense.
I'm currently using a Sony DSC-W7
<< <i>They quoted me $1849 for the Canon 30D with the 17-85 lens. >>
You could cherrypick quite a few VAMs for that kind of money.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>B&H Photo is who I was going to buy from. They quoted me $1849 for the Canon 30D with the 17-85 lens. >>
That sounds about right. If you don't need all of the features the Rebel XT takes almost identical pictures for about $800 less. You can even use the same lenses.
Amen to that Russ. But when you make a living as a magazine editor, high-quality photo gear is a big part of what allows me to go out and play the cherrypicking game.
<< <i>"You could cherrypick quite a few VAMs for that kind of money."
Amen to that Russ. But when you make a living as a magazine editor, high-quality photo gear is a big part of what allows me to go out and play the cherrypicking game. >>
Ahh, then I would definately stick with the 30D. With the new features over the 20D it is perfect for just about everything. I am looking forward to the new spot metering feature that allows great photos even with bright backgrounds.
<< <i>You could cherrypick quite a few VAMs for that kind of money."
Amen to that Russ. But when you make a living as a magazine editor, high-quality photo gear is a big part of what allows me to go out and play the cherrypicking game. >>
Okay, that makes sense. You're not just looking for a camera to shoot coins.
<< <i>I am looking forward to the new spot metering feature that allows great photos even with bright backgrounds. >>
The ancient Coolpix 950 does spot metering.
Russ, NCNE
If you are going to spend that kind of money you would be far better off getting the Nikon D200. To start with the D200 is weather sealed the 30D is not. The D200 has a very usable auto ISO function missing in the 30D. The D200 has a focus priority mode missing in the 30D. The D200 frame rate is 5 fps, the 30D is 3 fps. The Nikon lighting system (CLS) is far better than anything canon has. With the D200 you can use any lens ever made by Nikon - including older but very good and very fast manual focus lenses. With the 30D you are limited to the very latest lenses made by Canon. Even those that work with the 10D will not work with the 30D. The D200 is 10.2 megapixel the 30D is 8.1. I could go on, but you get the idea. The D200 came out in December of last year and are selling so fast that it's still hard to find one in stock. The 30D came out last month and are not selling very well at all. You can find one anywhere.
<< <i>
If you are going to spend that kind of money you would be far better off getting the Nikon D200. To start with the D200 is weather sealed the 30D is not. The D200 has a very usable auto ISO function missing in the 30D. The D200 has a focus priority mode missing in the 30D. The D200 frame rate is 5 fps, the 30D is 3 fps. The Nikon lighting system (CLS) is far better than anything canon has. With the D200 you can use any lens ever made by Nikon - including older but very good and very fast manual focus lenses. With the 30D you are limited to the very latest lenses made by Canon. Even those that work with the 10D will not work with the 30D. The D200 is 10.2 megapixel the 30D is 8.1. I could go on, but you get the idea. The D200 came out in December of last year and are selling so fast that it's still hard to find one in stock. The 30D came out last month and are not selling very well at all. You can find one anywhere. >>
While I don't disagree with the superior D200, after reading the dpreview comparing the 30D to the D200 most of what you said above can be refuted especially for a $400+ difference in body. Here is the link to the review and it looks like they actually prefer the 30D in the conclusion. Review Link It's just when you start with one price and keep saying hey that would be nice, the price keeps climing. Next thing you know you have a $5000 camera. One like myself just set a limit and said thats enough.
in addition when you have access to Canon lenses from work it is hard to justify the Nikon when I would have to spend so much on an array of lenses. I think this is really what swayed me to the Canon. And the 30D frame rate has both 5fps and 3fps. In fact most of what you mentioned seems to be flaws in the 20D not the 30D even though not all were addressed. The Canon is better contrast per pixel making the 8MP look pretty good. Not sure how useful the extra 2MP are.
Also you have to pay extra for the Nikon software that allows computer control and the Canon Raw editing software is far superior. There are so many pluses and minuses on both cameras it is a tough decision but in the end when you include the software the Nikon ends up being $600+ more for a similar setup.
Oh and the Nikon is not so good at high ISO's for those action shots.
Using existing or older Nikon lenses would be extremely important if I had any.
More megapixels is attractive from a "mine's bigger than yours" perspective, but the reality of my situation is 8.2 will be overkill.
I'll check out the D200 as a result of this thread, but 25 years as a happy Canon user (EF, F1 and A1) may skew the ultimate outcome. So will market availability. After all, how much work can you get done with a tool you've decided to buy, but can't actually get your hands on?
Thanks
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
Yes, those were taken without flash. That's the value of high ISO. The first was taken at ISO 800, the second at ISO 1,000.
<<Which lense were you using? Is it a generic zoom or special wide angle?>>
I was using a Nikon 17-55, f2.8 DX lens. It is mostly responsible for the good color saturation, and contrast. The shots were taken at the widest aperture f2.8.
On the other hand if you want more than just macros of coins a DSLR offers a lot of flexibility. The down side is the expense - bodies and lenses are not cheap, then there flash units, filters, cords, tripods, cases, etc, etc. The pay back is getting shots in places and under conditions that the P&S can't match.
<< <i>Any of the better DSLR cameras are probably overkill if all you want to do is image coins. Many of the coin pictures posted on this forum are excellent and are taken with inexpensive point & shoot camera that have a macro function. I believe Russ uses a Nikon coolpix 950 and he posts some awesome shots.
On the other hand if you want more than just macros of coins a DSLR offers a lot of flexibility. The down side is the expense - bodies and lenses are not cheap, then there flash units, filters, cords, tripods, cases, etc, etc. The pay back is getting shots in places and under conditions that the P&S can't match. >>
I have been looking through different forums for different cameras where people post shots that they take daily. Looks like just about all SLR's from the D70, 30D to the D200 are capable of some fantastic shots whether they be macro stills or zoom action shots.
In DennisH's case it would seem that the flexibility of the right lense for the condition and a quiet shutter and lense are important to make money. This will come from the newer bodies where they have worked on the sound issues in each generation.
In my case I have a 5 year old son who is in tee-ball and ice-hockey. While it may be overkill you can never spend too much on memories.
After looking at shots taken today at this forum with a D70s this may be more than enough at half the cost of the D200. Here is a link to user images. Warning, spectacular amatuer shots close by.
You are correct - any or all of these will take excellent shots. And taking pictures of the kids while they grow up is the number one reason people buy cameras. The D50 is about the price of a good point & shoot and I've seen some awesome shots it has taken. I also own the D70 and it takes wonderful photos. Buying a camera is a lot like buying a car - there is a lot of personal preference involved. Some cameras just "feel better" than others.
My only word of caution is that photography can be as addictive as coin collecting, and there is always a better lens, body, flash, or something else to buy. In some cases it can develop into a medical condition called NAS (Nikon Acquisition Syndrome) and there is no known cure.
P.S. Here is a site where you can find out almost anything about Nikon cameras, lenses, and other equipment. As well as just about anything photography related. Nikonians.org