Is there a good camera for shooing coins...AND the Moon?
BillyKingsley
Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭
I know there's lots of threads on coin photography, but I did a quick search and didn't find anything helpful...my camera died a couple nights ago, a month short of being 2 years old. It couldn't shoot coins. It couldn't do much of anything well. But it had 42x Optical zoom.
I'm looking at replacing it, but since my smart phone camera is so good, I don't need to rush. (I take photos every day). I'd like to be able to shoot photos showing the small details of coins, but I also want to be able to take photos of the moon when it's night time out. Every good photo I've gotten of the moon has been when it was up during the day. Being able to shoot photos at night time car shows would be important as well...with what I have now they come out as a blurry mess, and are so bad I have not bothered to post them.
Price wise, I need to stick to point-and-shoot. DSLR is too expensive for me...although it's something I've long wanted to learn to do...I just can't. Is there anything out there that fits the bill, and can perform both these tasks properly?
Thanks in advance!
Comments
I recently picked up a Sony a6000. It’s the best camera out there for the price, super versatile, and there are lots of lens options and forums to help you get what you want out if it.
Dealing in Canadian and American coins and historical medals.
I would spend your money on a Canon DSLR.
As to the moon, your photos come out of the moon during the day because the moon is also lit by daylight. If you want detail in the moon at night, shoot the moon as if it was daylight as it is illuminated by the sun. Everything else will go black tho.
I bought a Bundled Cannon T6i it cost close to $750.00 with the package and has the latest WiFi hookups. Nice entry level camera. Ended up going through Adorama Camera's out of New York. Superior company with on time and trackable delivery. I ended up hating Ritz Camera as they jacked me around for a week before I had to cancel the order. Once I made the order through Adorama wizzed through everything. Good luck.
Shame on Ritz! With a major purchase like yours, I would think that a company would bend over backwards to make a sale.
Pete
I would never give a single cent to a Ritz Camera Store.
ctfphoto.com
You guys are not helping Billy with suggestions beyond his means.
Think cheaper.
Billy's enthusiasm for collecting is off the charts but his means are limited, so we probably want to limit suggestions to less expensive options.
To shoot photos at night requires a good tripod. Learn your f stops and shutter speeds and how they work together for the best result. Set the camera on manual not automatic. Learn and learn some more. Photography is complex if done right. I retired after 30 years of professional photography and was still learning. Digital made it easier, but the basics are the same. Here's my first pro camera.
I don't believe I have ever purchased a new digicam. Always bought used. To me a camera is a lot like a computer - you don't want to pay up for the latest and greatest in megapixels and fancy features. They will come on the market as used in due time.
My setup is shown below. The copy stand was purchased at an estate sale for $10 (long story, but suffice it to say that they didn't know what the heck it was). Once I had the copy stand I tried using my cheap digicams and was really not happy. So I bought a used Nikon D90 kit - don't remember what I paid, but it wasn't a lot. Still use the D90 today. I then graduated thru several macro lenses and finally bought the Sigma 150mm macro. You can see the cheap IKEA LED lights - I don't like the expensive incandescents that came with the stand. Last week, I spent a little money on a little 6" monitor to tether to the camera. It's used for focusing only and does a pretty good job. I also shoot photos of birds at relatively close range so I have a nice zoom lens.
In any event, shooting coins and the moon are two different types of shots. I don't know if there is an inexpensive digicam that will do justice to both. If there is one, someone will hopefully chip in.
Anyway, I learned from my experiences, to buy a used DSLR (the cheaper digicams were a waste of money for me) - make it a Canon or Nikon so used lenses are easier to find. Used copy stands are not easy to find, but they can probably be made without too much expense. The majority of the money ought to go into the lens - that has the biggest impact on the pics IMHO.
Good luck.
“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!
Nikon coolpix A900 is what I use that the zoom is marvelous. Great job (I think) on coins. It's a point and shoot and not bulky and can be carried in your pocket if needed.
bob
You should be able to get a used Canon T2i (DSLR) for around $200 on ebay or craigslist (I bought one on craigslist recently).
For really good coin photos, you can get a used Canon EF 100mm macro lens (the original model, non-USM) used on ebay from Japan for $250. (I did this as well).
Most important is to get a good lens. 100mm Macro. Can always change bodies (sensors) later. Get a Canon.
Thank you for the insights everyone. I will take everything into account before I make my choice. Luckily I'm not pressed for time and have to buy whatever I can get quickly like I have had to do in the past. This time I can take my time and do it right.
I've been using a Canon SX20IS, I like it takes good photos of coins plus it uses AA batterys.
Lately I've been using my new phone, I use my coffee cup holder to tilt it a little, shot then crop it with Photoscape.
Works fine for me.
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