Remote Capture Coin Photography

JapanJohn · November 26, 2006 4:50PM

Anyone taking photos of coins from a camera tethered directly to your PC? I've been thinking about doing this to speed up the process of photographing my collection. Also I can do one coin at a time, work it and save it right where I want it. If I photograph 20 coins, then pull the memory card, then load into the PC I'll surely forget what's what and all that pluging and playing is downright inconvienient.

I was thinking small Canon camera on small tripod and using the macro setting. Alas my SD400 (Ixus 50) won't permit remote capture but my Canon EOS 20D does, although the software is a dog in my estimation. My Nikon D200 will do this under their Capture software as well, but I wanted a small camera dedicated just to being tethered to the camera. The bigger the camera, the bigger the tripod, the more space it all consumes.......you get the picture.

Anyone doing this successfully? And if so...........details........details......

John

MikeInFL · November 26, 2006 7:05PM

I've done it in the past with my D100, but find it just as quick using two cards -- fill one up, start the transfer, then use the other while the first is loading, swap cards and repeat. Works like a champ, and I am not limited to being close to the PC. The only advantage I found with the tethered operation was a quicker full-screen view to be able to differentiate critical sharpness (something that the D200 photo-review function has fixed) and colors (which, with correct white balance and static lighting generally present with coin photography, are likely to be accurate anyway), so other than a slight advantage in speed and the ability to view full-screen shots faster, there is little use as I saw it....Mike

drwstr123 · November 26, 2006 7:43PM

JJ- I use a DSLR and have a card reader in the USB port. Take a pic and slide the SD card into the reader, ....results! I find it almost as quick and no need for a tether. Mike

stev32k · November 26, 2006 7:44PM

All my coin shots are done with the camera tethered to the PC. I use a copy stand to hold the camera, attach an AC adapter, and a USB cable to connect to the computer. This is very convenient because one can make all settings adjustments from the PC and the shots are sent straight from the camera to the PC. It saves time and camera batteries. The only down side is that it is so easy and fast to take shots at different settings and review the results quickly that I end up taking dozens if not hundreds of shots before I get one I like.

The software is called "Camera Control Pro" and is $69.95 direct from Nikon. They used to bundle it with their photo processing software, but they quit doing that.

The set-up in the shot below shows the D200 with the Nikon 105mm, f2.8, and the R1 macro flash unit with diffusers. You can adjust all the flash parameters from the PC. They are wireless and you can control each of them separately. I take about half of my coin shots with the flash unit and half with conventional lighting.

robertpr · November 26, 2006 10:23PM

Yes, I do it all the time with my D70. I set up the shot and then control the camera from the PC, so you can see the results instantly and then adjust the aperture and shutter speed and reshoot instantly if necessary. You'll need a USB cord or bluetooth, plus the $100 Nikon Capture software, which is very much worth the money, to do this with your D200.

stev32k · November 26, 2006 10:28PM

Unfortunately the camera control software included with Nikon Capture won't work with the D200. It works fine with the D70 and the D100, but to use the D200 you need "camera Control Pro" which is sold seperately. Just Nikon's way of generating additional revenue I guess.

slipgate · November 26, 2006 10:35PM

Here is my Nikon D70 setup - I also use the Nikon capture/control software.

photoman · November 26, 2006 10:58PM

I'm tethered and can photograph about 500+ coins a day. I was no way near that fast when I was using flash cards. Tethered is the way to go. Instant access to your pics on the computer too.

Doug

JapanJohn · November 27, 2006 4:50AM

Thanks everybody.

photoman said what I suspected I'm tethered and can photograph about 500+ coins a day. I was no way near that fast when I was using flash cards. Tethered is the way to go. Instant access to your pics on the computer too.

Also I didn't know my D200 wouldn't work without Capture Control Pro. I have Capture 4 but I hadn't tried it yet. I did it a few times with my D70 mostly to load custom curves.

I have a Canon EOS 20D and the Capture software with it doesn't work at all on my Mac. My D70 is for sale and the 20D is right behind it I think. The D200 is a keeper.

John

1921obsession · November 27, 2006 5:00AM

Even when I can make the Canon software work with my S2, which is only about one install in three and unstable when it works at all, too few settings are available for it to be worth my while.

mrearlygold · November 27, 2006 5:06AM

Just subscribing to learn. Thank you

JapanJohn · November 27, 2006 5:40AM

21 obsession,

I can't even uninstall the Canon Capture software on my mac. Everytime I try to re-install it it tells me it's already there and that's after trashing the program and the preferences files. The Canon software is a DOG. I've been looking at the Breeze Systems software DSLR Remote Pro

but it's a $100 and I'm going to sell my 20D anyway. I'm of the firm belief that a $200 or $300 point and clicky with a good lens and macro setting, properly set up will do a great job tethered. Or great enough for what I want it to do, and not occupy hardly any space on my desk.

John

Coxe · November 27, 2006 5:47AM

I have wanted to do this with a good microscope. I have had a QX toy one for years, but they are just that -- toys.

Assuming that the microscope itself has satisfactory optics, I would think a simple CCD would be enough and wouldn't require any state of the art camera. I'd like to remote it in through a USB, fireware, or other port and exclusively shoot extreme coin details on a regular basis. Any hardware suggestions? I would be doing this for both raw and slabs, so lighting might become and issue here and there.

WoodenJefferson · November 27, 2006 5:56AM

Man...that's some awesome camera set ups guys!
Makes my "Holey Mackeral" look like a Brownie Kodak.

BigBuffaloGuy · November 27, 2006 6:19AM

The difference between using a memory card and using a camera tethered directly to your PC is the same as the difference between cranking up your car and using your car keys. You will not regret making the change, JapanJohn.

Photoman-- 500? Really? You are a machine. How does the camera not catch fire? You would think someone who works that quickly would take mediocre pictures, but your pics, to many, are the standard by which many judge their own.

ldhair · November 27, 2006 9:00AM

The remote software that came with my Canon Rebel will do just about anything I wish to do.
I change all the settings from the PC and see the image before I take the next one.
It's really a powerful program but it takes a bit of time to learn all that it will do.

I can take 300 to 400 images in a day with no problem.
It takes longer to pick the best images, crop and resize than it does to take the images.

There is one thing I don't like.
If I use another program to edit an image I loose the shooting information.

1921obsession · November 27, 2006 9:19AM

<< 21 obsession,

I can't even uninstall the Canon Capture software on my mac. Everytime I try to re-install it it tells me it's already there and that's after trashing the program and the preferences files. The Canon software is a DOG. I've been looking at the Breeze Systems software DSLR Remote Pro

but it's a $100 and I'm going to sell my 20D anyway. I'm of the firm belief that a $200 or $300 point and clicky with a good lens and macro setting, properly set up will do a great job tethered. Or great enough for what I want it to do, and not occupy hardly any space on my desk.

John >>

I ended up having to manually edit the Windows Registry to get that crap off my system, just to attempt a clean reinstall. The reinstall crashed my WinXP box so hard I had to pull the plug, and this is a system I've kept stable since the day Windows XP was released. It was my first crash in 2006.

I've downloaded a trial of the Breeze Systems software (PSRemote for my S2 IS) to have a go, and I'll report back here.

CarlWohlforth · November 27, 2006 9:25AM

You never know what you might learn when you open a thread. I'm much better off than I was now that I can hook my camera (Nikon Coolpix 4500) right up to a USB port -- it is much faster and easier than messing with memory cards.

However I didn't know you could control your camera direcly from the PC. I wonder if that software works with my CoolPix 4500? I want to get tethered.

mgoodm3 · November 27, 2006 9:32AM

Efficiency is not a part of my imaging procedure. If I imaged coins any quicker, I'd melt my camera with my lights.

robertpr · November 27, 2006 9:51AM

<< I wonder if that software works with my CoolPix 4500? I want to get tethered.

>>

Sorry, you're outta luck.

robertpr · November 27, 2006 9:53AM

<< Efficiency is not a part of my imaging procedure. If I imaged coins any quicker, I'd melt my camera with my lights. >>

That's exactly why I try to be as efficient as possible without sacrificing quality. If I really took my time, my camera would probably explode from the heat.

granpagraf · November 27, 2006 10:00AM

Does'nt anybody use a scanner for photos of coins? I use mine all the time using 400 resolution and My pics come out beautiful.
Just a thought.
granpagraf

notwilight · November 27, 2006 10:01AM

I just put my new computer next to my copy stand with the intent of tethering. It'll be a while before I get it all figured out. I don't mind the card readers at all for normal photography. If I can fill up a card and then download it, that works in my opinion much better than tethering. But I get tired of taking two to four shots, pulling the card out, leting the computer find it and load all the images before I can look at the latest attempts and make changes. I guess once I get my setup dialed in like MikeinFl and Mgoodm3, then I can just fill up a card before I download it.

Unlike many of the posters on this thread, I'm using Canon so I'm interested if anyone has software suggestions for Canon and Windows.

--Jerry

ldhair · November 27, 2006 11:56AM

<< 

<< I wonder if that software works with my CoolPix 4500? I want to get tethered.

>>

Sorry, you're outta luck. >>

I have a 4500 as well and it won't do remote using the Nikon software.
You can USB the images to your drive and not mess with the memory card.

I have never tried using the Nikon with the Canon software.
It probably wont work but I'll try it and post what happens.

ldhair · November 27, 2006 12:11PM

The Nikon don't like the Canon software.
That's a shame. The 4500 is a great little camera.

Coxe · November 27, 2006 7:15PM

<< Does'nt anybody use a scanner for photos of coins? I use mine all the time using 400 resolution and My pics come out beautiful.
Just a thought.
granpagraf

>>

I use mine at 2400dpi and adjust to presentable size later all the time. It is not about quality but ease. It's hard to properly capture PL surfaces (my specialty actually too), luster, and toning with a scanner though.

Remote Capture Coin Photography

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