Any coin photographers here using the Canon 5DS R? (Update: Software issue fixed)
FadeToBlack
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So I upgraded my OS to Mojave recently on my Macbook, but unbeknownst to me, Mojave doesn't support 32 bit applications, and Canon's EOS Utility (both 1 and 2) happen to be 32 bit applications. EOS Utility 3 is a 64 bit app, but Canon has no plans to make that app support older cameras, like my T3i.
Thus, my camera is essentially useless for what I need, as I do all of my coin shooting tethered to a laptop.
Anyway, I kinda need a new camera regardless. So I've been eyeing the 5DS R as a major upgrade. I was wondering if anybody here has hands-on experience with it as it relates to shooting coins. Ignore that price, you can get them for $2k on eBay right now.
If not, no biggie... and I hope nobody gets taken completely off-guard like I was. 
Comments
I have used that model as a professional photographer for years and it is absolutely an awesome camera.
The files are huge and at the time I bought the camera, Lightroom was the only application to support the importing of huge raw files.
There is so much information in the files, you can use that information in photoshop to make fantastic images.
Twice the megapixels compared to my Rebel T7i! Very nice specs, can’t speak to the Mac issues as I use windows 10 to tether. Curious, if you don’t mind me asking, what lens are you using?
Looks like it would be a nice upgrade from the mode you have, and with all the capabilities the camera has should last for some time.
https://tinyurl.com/wbuh7ba (Search PCGS on ebay)
Oh, one more thing, my 1 TB Mac hard drive quickly filled up so I upgraded to a 4 TB internal drive.
I also have 6 external hard drives with the exact same information on each of them.
It’s fantastic. No question about it. I could go on and on but all I can say is you wouldn’t be disappointed if you know how to properly use it.
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-5Ds-R.aspx
If you want some reviews, click on 5ds link. They are the same besides one big factor which they explain.
I would easily upgrade to this body if I was in your situation.
My Type Set & My Complete Proof Nickel Set!
Raw images come in at 144 megs.
The images I post here are usually downsized to around 6 megs.
The info in the raw file is what is important.
Actually, Mojave does in general support 32-bit applications. The new Mac OS due out in fall 2019 will not. Mojave will give you a warning the first time you run a 32-bit application, but it should still run.
Does anyone know if Adobe photoshop essentials handles RAW Files?
Thanks
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
50 MP (8712 x 5813), plus other features it has all sound pretty awesome. The thing is, I'm thinking this would fall into the "overkill" category for coin pictures, not that I wouldn't like to play with it (or the Nikon D850) just to make sure. If you have other photography needs and desires and this camera fits the bill, then go for it. You will have to have a macro lens that is capable of resolving an image to the resolution of the detector if you want the 50 MP images to mean anything. Using lots of light and shooting at f11 will introduce too much diffraction. Using the sharpest aperture of the lens (usually f5.6) means you may have to focus stack to get an optimal image. Also consider if you focus through the viewfinder, with the tethered display, with auto-focus.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I have been having problems with EOS Utility as well, on Win7. All of a sudden it wouldn't run, and even with re-install I can't get it to go. Had to revert to an earlier version.
I have been searching for a FF replacement for my HRT2i for some time now. I ended up buying a Sony A7R3, mostly due to its pixel-shift capability. But I found pixel shift was a boondoggle, and produced too many unnatural artifacts, so I sent it back. I then decided to try the 5DSR, which touts a "fine detail" mode that looked promising. Indeed the results were better than the A7R3, but I quickly learned that the extra detail was the result of improved sharpening algorithms that were offered in EOS3. When I applied the algos to my HRT2i output, I got the same result! The 5DSR pixels are about same size as the T2i's, so gives essentially same result at 100% pixel level.
So mostly what you get from the 5DSR vs T2i/3i is a bigger field of view. This seems like a good thing, but it has a major drawback for coins...you need to go >1:1 to fill the screen with smaller coins. The TXi's APS-C format is 22.2x14.8mm, so a macro lens capable of going to 1:1 will fill the sensor with a 14.8mm coin. At 14mm, the smallest US coin is the Trime. Shooting on APS-C at 1:1 will leave just a little room around the Trime, so APS-C and 1:1 macro lenses are essentially tailor-made for covering the full range of US coins. The 5DSR's FF format is 36x24mm, so a macro lens capable of going to 1:1 will fill the sensor with a 24mm coin. Many US coins are smaller (even much smaller...14mm) so to make use of the larger sensor you'll need to use a different kind of lens system, like a bellows or maybe one of the Laowa 2:1 macros (which are manual focus).
My passion is Cents, which are 19mm, and to fill the sensor with one requires 1.26:1 magnification. This is no problem for me since I use Reproduction lenses on bellows. I suspect most folks who use FF cameras for coins must be Dollar enthusiasts, or just don't care that they can't fill the sensor with smaller coins. In any event, make sure this is OK for you or you will be very unhappy when you get the 5DSR.
http://macrocoins.com
I don't know the answer to this question. I do know that Adobe has a free utility called Adobe DNG Converter that will convert most any raw camera file into a the Adobe DNG (digital negative) format and preserves the raw data. I'm sure photoshop essential handles this format.
If you did a system backup before your upgrade to Mojave you should be able to go back to High Sierra. You should do it before Apple signs off on the earlier OS.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
I updated to Mojave.
lightroom, photoshop, and the Canon 5DsR all work great together.
I haven't upgraded a thing since Hector was a pup. I run Windows 7 and use a Nikon Coolpix B500. Works for me; pictures are good and I'm satisfied.
Can't thank you enough Mark.
I got that free software and I'll always work with RAW images now.
The difference is so dramatic. A professional photographer explained to me this summer that the JPGs my T2i produces are missing loads of information and now i can really see it (I'm a slow learner and everything I've learned about computers and photography I learned from members here).
@rmpsrpms's post was really informative too.
Thanks
By the way, I can sure see the difference
image on the left is a JPG from my T2i
imageon the right RAW converted with Adobe DNG
and I'll add this side by
same thing.
Both the exact same image.
The one on the left my Canon saved as JPG
on the right saved as RAW (a Canon .CR2 file)
If I sound excited it's because I am.
I only shot RAW one session in September so now I have to reshoot all my U.S. Coins.
Should keep me busy all winter.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
I have 32 TB backup on the way, filled up my 16b and about 7 others in the safe.
No, I never have used that Canon utility, only Lightroom.
I do not use a laptop. I only use a desktop Mac with a huge screen.
I don't know as I never tether my camera to the computer.
I am super old school as I always get it right in the viewfinder.
Tethering doesn't take using the viewfinder away from you. It allows you to automatically download the photos while you're taking the shots.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
I am barely computer literate.
I usually just use my computer screen as a light table for my 4x5 transparencies ....
I focus this way, too, even though I can get a decent image on the screen. The viewfinder image is a lot better than what's on the screen, and the focusing knobs are right there, too. That's one reason my setup is always on the floor, and not on a desk. I do wonder what I'd think of the viewfinder display on a mirrorless camera.
The problem with some cameras is that the viewfinder display is tiny, but that's not an issue with the more spendy full-frame cameras. Of course, I think my Nikon FM display is IMAX sized even compared with my full-frame D610.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Live View display has improved as each new camera version comes out, but even the newest cameras have somewhat blurry full-screen views. To get around this, best thing is to open the 100% zoom window, which on both Canon and Nikon Live View displays gives an exact match to the camera image. I am not able to focus effectively with the viewfinder, as I am interested in getting critical focus just right, and that requires seeing the pixels.
http://macrocoins.com
I always wanted to shoot that. Nothing like Fuji Velvia in 4x5. I can only imagine the image detail within that transparency. Man, that is beautiful!
There are quite a few third party tethering applications. Because EOS Utility is free and works well, there are lot more for Nikon than Canon. Many, such as Lightroom, do not have live view, just image transfer and basic exposure parameters. Strictly speaking "tethering" is typically defined as automatic image transfer.
I know of one application for Mac that does Canon live view (and isn't astro focused): Kuuvik Capture. I have no actual experience with it, just that it exists.
If the budget works, then the EOS 5DS R is an excellent choice for macro work.
Not to belabor the point, but when you go to FF you will need to increase your magnification by 60% vs APS-C to fill your sensor with the same size coin. This is no problem for Dollars, Halves, and Quarters, but for Cents or smaller you won't be able to fill the sensor using a standard 1:1 capable macro lens. From this perspective, APS-C cameras could actually be considered "better for macro" than FF cameras.
http://macrocoins.com
"From this perspective, APS-C cameras could actually be considered "better for macro" than FF cameras." My wife's friends are professional photographers and they told me as much this past summer.
Your succinct observations now make me understand why @rmpstpms
I think my T2i and Canon EF 100 lens are all I need for now. Hopefully the technique will continue to improve.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Your reasoning is correct. There are some instances where a crop sensor could be better in particular instances, but this is not one of them. And in my experience it's really only when comparing an older FF with a newer APS-C.
This is not good information or advice. Minimum focus distance is irrelevant...your lens can only go up to 1:1 without extensions, and the image quality will be degraded if extensions are used. It is certainly true you can just go to 1:1 and accept that you are not filling the screen with the coin, but once you crop, you have the same resolution as on the 18MP sensors. So for sure the 5DSR will work for Dollars/Halves/Quarters with the 100mm, but if you shoot a lot of smaller coins, it's no better than your 18MP camera.
http://macrocoins.com
Your principle is correct, however, it's doesn't really come in to play much. According to Wikipedia, an APS-C sensor is 25.1×16.7 mm. A cent is 19.05 mm in diameter. A dime is 17.91 mm in diameter. So both of these are larger than the APS-C sensor height. But sure, if you shoot mostly half dimes or three cent silvers, then you may not be coming out ahead with a standard 1:1 macro. Or just get an MPE-65mm, highly recommended.
This is not good information or advice. Minimum focus distance is irrelevant...your lens can only go up to 1:1 without extensions, and the image quality will be degraded if extensions are used. It is certainly true you can just go to 1:1 and accept that you are not filling the screen with the coin, but once you crop, you have the same resolution as on the 18MP sensors. So for sure the 5DSR will work for Dollars/Halves/Quarters with the 100mm, but if you shoot a lot of smaller coins, it's no better than your 18MP camera.
Canon APS-C are a bit smaller, only 22.2x14.8mm, but principle is the same.
No worries, you are certainly not downgrading, just not getting a lot more for your money. But if you mostly shoot larger coins, you should be good.
http://macrocoins.com