camera question....

DIMEMAN

I have a Nikon coolpix L20...10 megapixels....3.6 X zoom.

Should I be able to take decent pics of coins with this camera?

Coinlearner

My very old Ebay $20 used 4600 coolpix does just fine

lcoopie

its the photographer, not the camera that is probably 90% of it IMO


so yes

you need lights and a copy stand also

DIMEMAN

coinlearner - that is a nice pic......but I have no idea what a 4600 is compared to my camera.

LanceNewmanOCC

<< <i>I have a Nikon coolpix L20...10 megapixels....3.6 X zoom.

Should I be able to take decent pics of coins with this camera? >>



what is the cost? i have a reason for asking

also, ensure it has the macro function/ it is either a flower or says macro

but my guess is if you have a stand and correct lighting, you should be good to go
.

Coinlearner

<< <i>coinlearner - that is a nice pic......but I have no idea what a 4600 is compared to my camera. >>

•4-megapixel effective CCD for prints up to 11x17 inches
•Nikkor 3x optical zoom (34-102mm in 35mm equivalent)
•Macro focus with AF down to 1.6 inches
•1.8-inch TFT color monitor
•Program AE and 16 pre-programmed Scene modes
•Single, Continuous, Multi-Shot 16 and QuickTime Movie modes
•Automatic shutter speeds from 1/3000 sec. to 4 sec's
•Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow sync, and red-eye reduction
•Nikon's D-Lighting and In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
•TTL Auto White Balance, 5 presets and custom set
•Exif 2.2 and PictBridge compatible
•SD memory card slot, no card included, 14.5MB internal memory
•Plug-n-Play USB connectivity
•PictBridge direct-print compliant
•One-Touch upload for easy image transfers
•Powered by two AA type batteries
•Optional WP-CP3 underwater case
YOURS is better

DIMEMAN

Lance, I think I paid around $140 at walmart.

There is a toggle ring around a "OK" button on the back that has 4 things on it....a flower being one of them.

LanceNewmanOCC

<< <i>Lance, I think I paid around $140 at walmart.
There is a toggle ring around a "OK" button on the back that has 4 things on it....a flower being one of them. >>



the reason i asked about price was it was worth analyzing how much to spend vs what you get, but since you already purchased, that is moot

if you take some images without the flower setting and with the flower setting, you should see a large difference in pixelation when you enlarge the images

maybe even in just the standard size images.

that camera sounds like it will do quite nicely

if you end up taking a lot of images, thousands, i highly recommend getting the ad/dc adapter for long photo sessions. i have one for both my cameras

ok enough with the chatter, show us some images !
.

LindeDad

Simple answer is it is not a professional camera so yes it is a good brand but it will not give you images like the Nikon's that Tod and Messydesk use.
But if what you want is images to display in your registry sets then yes if properly supported and lighted it will give you a acceptably image that will be re-sized down to 600X600 pixels.
Almost as important as the camera is editing software to crop and adjust images after shooting. I recommend Photoshop 10 at about a hundred dollars but many use free ware with good results.

LanceNewmanOCC

<< <i>many use free ware with good results >>


yup. i've used paint that comes with windows for many many years, it has really improved

paint - free
photoscape - free - round cropping
paint.net - free - for rotating images, quickly & easily
windows live photo gallery - free - image editing, a lot of options

but those are the ones i prefer for the tens of thousands of images i've taken
.

messydesk

I'm going to vote "meh" on this camera for coins. According to the specs, while you have very close focusing, it's only at the shortest focal length, so you'll be very close to the coin, making lighting difficult. The max telephoto can only get as close as 70 cm from the coin. These are calculated diameters in pixels for a dime and a silver dollar for various operating modes, based on the specs in the manual:

Macro at 10 cm working distance -- dime: 716, dollar: 1524
Macro at 15 cm working distance -- dime: 477, dollar: 1016
Non-macro, max. tele, 70 cm working distance -- dime 366, dollar 779

There are better options in that price range when shopping for a camera, but if you already have it, this is what you can expect. Note that not all point and shoot cameras from a single manufacturer's product line have the same close focusing specs, and there's not always a correspondence between close focusing performance and price.

Edited to add:

Coolpix 4600, non-macro, max tele., 30 cm working distance, -- dime 448, dollar 953

DIMEMAN

When you guys talk about working distance and dime and dollar with those numbers.........I hear the same thing that Charlie Brown hears when the teacher talks!

LindeDad

<< <i>When you guys talk about working distance and dime and dollar with those numbers.........I hear the same thing that Charlie Brown hears when the teacher talks! >>



Then probably no is the best answer.

messydesk

Working distance is how far the camera is from the coin. 10 cm (4") is quite close, 70 cm (2'4") is kind of far. The numbers by the dime and dollar are how big they'll be in the picture. A good number for a registry picture is between 400 and 600 pixels in diameter. You'll be within 6 inches of the coin to get that size. You might or might not be able to zoom the lens a little when you're that close. If you can, that would be a bonus.

Coinlearner

Plenty of info in the search history on this issue. Follow the camera's suggestions on close-ups,the right dial setting,the flowers in the window etc. As important is good lamps and a stable platform(Not hand held). You need get experience with it and some trial an error to get some good shots.

coinman420

these pics were taken with a coolpix L3. 4-5 years old.

DIMEMAN

Looks like it can be done with what I have. I will just have to practice as some have mentioned.

I just want decent pics for my Registry sets.

messydesk

The Nikon Coolpix L3 is a good example of what I was talking about earlier where seemingly comparable cameras from a single manufacturer don't have the same close-focusing behavior. At maximum telephoto, the L3 can focus to 30 cm. A dime would be 518 pixels across, a dollar 1104 at this setting.

chaze215

<< <i>its the photographer, not the camera that is probably 90% of it IMO


so yes

you need lights and a copy stand also >>



Are copy stands adjustable to hold any camera?

lkeigwin

<< <i>

<< <i>its the photographer, not the camera that is probably 90% of it IMO


so yes

you need lights and a copy stand also >>



Are copy stands adjustable to hold any camera? >>

Pretty much, if it has the standard screw mount. They're most important for heavy cameras. In my early days I used a compact camera and a desktop tripod. Worked fine.
Lance.

crypto79

One day I am going to learn to use a camera....Don't tell todd

lcoopie

i have one similar to this

ebay