HELP! I'm looking to purchase a camera for coin photos...
Outhaul
Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
Here are three on ebay that I am considering:
142212441984
122264973929
371639473854
I have never been so overwhelmed in my life. I'm not looking to break the bank, and I'm no Ansel Adams by ANY stretch of the imagination. But, to find a good used camera, you need encyclopedic knowledge that I just don't have.
I am open to suggestions. I do know that I would like a digital SLR with interchangeable lenses.
I appreciate and value everyone's input.
Cheers
Bob
0
Comments
To my experience, it's not the camera but the lens, or 'glass' that is important.
Mark's book is very helpful, Too. (Numismatic Photography - Mark Goodman)
I am interested as well. My second Daughter was just born, which motivates me to get a better camera (currently a point a shoot), and if I get one, I want to be able to take REAL coin pictures.
I agree that it is the lens that makes the biggest difference. I have a Sigma 150mm macro lens and it will do most anything I want at a distance that makes lighting a cinch. I still have a Sigma 105mm macro lens that worked ok but was not as flexible.
These days the DSLRs have all the bells and whistles and plenty of pixels to capture sharp images. I use a couple of Nikon bodies and they both work fine.
I bought all my lenses and bodies used to save money. Copy stand was a rip at an estate sale ($10) because they didn't have a clue what it was...
Some other points.
I strongly recommend a solid copy stand - don't skimp here. The Sigma 150 lens is a bit large and combined with the camera body it is not light. My copy stand is big enough to hold the camera solidly as high as 30" from the coin though i typically shoot from about 24" for full coin shots of larger coins.
Also I find that coins are a bit hard for autofocus to work well for several reasons (including the slab itself). So having the ability to tether the camera to a computer monitor or TV will be extra helpful and time saving (I tether via HDMI to my big screen TV with no issues).
So to summarize,
Get as good a lens as you can afford (wish I could afford Nikon glass)
Get a solid copy stand
Then get the camera body you want that fits your lens.
And I also agree that Mark Goodman's book is required reading.
Hope that helps.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Smart advice, above. I especially agree with Cameonut's comments.
Buy the best macro lens you can. 100mm is a good compromise of versatility and price. I use 200mm most of the time but it is too long for silver dollars and slab shots so I have a few other macro lenses.
The D-SLR is the least important element.
Lance.
Still using a Nikon D200 and when that goes will get a D300 non S model which must be nearing a decade old.
Find yourself a nice Nikon D-40. Great camera for coins and you can find a used one cheap.
If you have not already, read Goodman's book Numismatic Photography.
There aren't many manufacturers of Charged Coupled Devices (CCD) which leads to few differences between camera bodies. Most major cameras brands all are excellent. Ken Rockwell has a site with many lens reviews.
Best I can tell ya is go easy. A member has a fantastic site called MacroCoins.
Nikon D40 will not meter manual lenses and could be a major headache for a novice. I had one my kid sister uses it with a autofocus lens for vacation pics.
Breaking the bank means different things to different people...I too wanted to take good (better at least) coin shots but was suffering from information overload. I was willing to do a dedicated set up--realistically my cell phone is just fine for anything else I would take a picture of.
Do look at Ray's (rmpsrmps) website macrocoins.com/ site. It can show you what can be done, and I bought a set up from him ('system 6' so I could get some of my medals too).
He can tailor something to your needs. It's not set up to switch out the lenses and move around the camera body, but it makes things simple for coins/smaller medals. I'm happy with the set up and still have tons to learn. Maybe someday I'll change to a fancier set up...but what a perfect way to start. A gently used camera body (canon rebel xs), a repurposed lens, the stand etc. Buying from him removed the information overload--worrying about 'specs', buying 'the right lens', figuring out which camera body etc.
Here is the difference between the cell phone vs. the dedicated camera set up--totally WORTH IT. (IMO of course).
From this:
To this:
OK...I think I get ya.
I found the best value and easiest to use is a Pentax system.
Used bodies are relatively cheap on eBay and the lenses are nowhere near in the demand as Nikon or Canon.
That and a tripod and you be having fun.
Mine does. I have a D-40 and a D-3100 and they both meter.
After reading Mark Goodman's book I settled on the kind of set up that he seemed to be recommending and mostly used - heavy copy stand from Kaiser with lighting kit (4 light sockets and two light arms), Nikon D90, Sigma 150mm macro lens, Nikon 85mm T/S lens. The 150 mm, Nikon body, lighting kit, new, copy stand and T/S lens used off of ebay for <1/2 price. The light sockets that came with Kaiser stand can be set at just about any fixed location relative to the coin and camera such that you have infinite flexibility to get the lighting right. I then added a remote, focusing rail and a magnifying eyepiece that attaches to the view port on the Nikon body, and voila, all my images in in foucs every time. But like others are saying start with the concepts Goodman lays out and go from there.
Best, SH
I fought with a Nikon for years. Still have several but won't use them for coins.
I bought an older Canon on Ebay for around $140.
I feel your pain.
I think a copy stand would be more important than the camera. I shoot everything by hand and I have to redo. I have several Nikon bodies and my favorite is the D7100. The others in our house between my wife and me are a D40, D3000, D3100, D610, and the D7100. Lighting is also very important. I haven't used Canon, but many people prefer one brand or the other. Either should be good for what you need.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
Except for the gold Walker, these are all thru-the-slab shots from a $200 used Canon EOS DSLR that I picked up a few years back:
I use a 100mm Canon Macro EF 1:2.8 lens, a fairly sturdy copy stand, mirror lock, tethered software, manual focus, greycard color correction, halogen lights and a a bit of PhotoShop processing. The camera body is the least important part in the whole deal, really.
I would stick with a Canon DSLR simply because of the tethering software. It's really difficult to take photos if you can't control the camera from your computer screen. A used 40 or 50 will work great, but plan on sending the camera in for service on the shutter release (about $150). Most of the older bodies are sold because there are issues with the shutter. A hwavy duty copy stand is essential as well as a 100 to 150 macro lens
Considering these three cameras on ebay:
142212441984
122264973929
371639473854
Bob, I bought a D3000 about six months ago but haven't pulled it out of the box yet. if that's the sort of thing you're looking for send me a PM and I might be able to help with a used D5100.