New Camera, First Camera.

erickso1 · March 17, 2010 8:47AM

So I've figured I'm going to do this is a kind of running experiment/progress yard stick. Again, feel free to critique. I didn't see the light halo in 1983 proof penny when I was taking it, so I apologize for that. The obverse and reverse on the proof quarter are much better. The mercury I failed again to capture the sea blue that lies buried deep in the NGC holder, but I swear, it is there, ask yellowkid, I acquired it from him. The three penny pics at the end are the new challenge. One is just a really nice 1959-d. The other two are both end roll coins. It is like trying to take a picture of an oil spill on black water. Very hard and something I haven't mastered but the depth of color is awesome. The first image will be the first image and the second will be the followup.

Purchased my first camera today with the intent to photograph my coins. Paid $490 for it used off of craigslist. Details are below.

Olympus EVOLT E-500 Digital SLR, 8.0 MegaPixel.

Included lenses:

* 14-45mm F/3.5-5.6 zoom (kit lens);
* 40-150mm F/3.5-4.5 zoom (kit lens);

Also included:
* battery charger;
* Olympus and Sigma lens caps;
* Olympus lens hoods;
* Olympus strap;
* 58mm filters: Promaster Red R2, Hoya Infrared R72;
* CompactFlash cards: 4GB, 1GB, 1GB;
* CompactFlash USB card reader.

And the real kicker (and main reason I jumped at this particular one)
* Sigma 105mm F/2.8 1:1 Macro lens.

I'm excited and also somewhat intimidated by all the great photography that is done by people on this site and I would like nothing more then (in time) to be able to produce the same quality images that a lot of people here do.

So, after I get done studying tonight I will be taking and posting a few picks of coins that I have been wanting to photo for a while. I've got a peace dollar or two and some end roll toned lincolns that I would love to get good images of.

Results to follow.

commoncents05 · March 17, 2010 8:55AM

I don't know about the camera, but that's a $300 lens. I paid around that for mine.

-Paul

mgoodm3 · March 17, 2010 9:27AM

Looks like a nice deal. Let us know when it shows up.

erickso1 · March 17, 2010 9:28AM

Purchased locally so already in hand.

mgoodm3 · March 17, 2010 9:35AM

The 3 lenses are probably worth the purchase price. If the body works fine, all the better

cheezhed · March 17, 2010 9:54AM

You will need a sturdy support, either a tripod or a copystand.

Lighting is another key to great numismatic photography.

divecchia · March 17, 2010 10:03AM

<< <i>The 3 lenses are probably worth the purchase price. If the body works fine, all the better >>

ditto...

I think you did good...Donato

erickso1 · March 17, 2010 1:22PM

First run uploaded.

Deagle74 · March 17, 2010 4:53PM

ericso1...great coins but....out of focus as you can see. As cheezhed sad - you will need a tripod and a (better) light, but I believe this is not a problem in your case. Your lenses aren't macro lenses - and you were shooting those pics from to close. You will need a macro lens (more expencive option) or a close up lens. This is much cheaper and it works 4 me.

My last attempt:

bye, Rok

Edited to add:
I'm using this one

Raynox DCR 250

Raynox

R.

boucharda · March 17, 2010 8:10PM

You need to work on some focus issues. I use the same E-500 with a non-macro tele-zoom at 4 feet and can get down to the mintmarks. You should be able to do better than I can with that macro lens. I assume the camera is on a stand/tripod???

ricko · March 17, 2010 8:33PM

Good beginning and a nice equipment acquisition. Cheers, RickO

Flatwoods · March 17, 2010 8:57PM

Not bad for the first attempt.
Keep at it!

Oh yeah that Merc looks pretty nice. Get some better pics of that one.

erickso1 · March 17, 2010 10:37PM

Set up was the Olympus w/ the macro on a tripod, lit by 2 desk lamps w/ 60w ge clearview bulbs. I took a bunch of pictures over the span of an hour and was all excitied to upload and check them out but when I plugged the flash card into my computer it told me it had to format (thus wiping it clean). So by the time I took these pics it was coming up on midnight and I was a bit worn out. Having a little time to look at them I agree that focusing needs work, my lighting needs adjustment and I need to make my picture taking steadier (i.e. wireless remote). There are details in the coins that didn't come through as well as I would have liked. The depth of the purple on the reverse of the 1956 quarter didn't come through and the blues and greens on the rim of the mercury didn't come through as well as I would have liked. Hopefully I can give it some more time this weekend and work on getting things set up better.

Thanks for the feedback, it is very much appreciated and more importantly listened to.

Nick

Deagle74 · March 18, 2010 2:49AM

Nick....without wireless remote - you could use "timer" function - I do and works well!

Bye, R.

cheezhed · March 18, 2010 3:17AM

Correct white balance is critical as well.

boucharda · March 18, 2010 5:25AM

<< <i>Nick....without wireless remote - you could use "timer" function - I do and works well!

Bye, R. >>

Beat me to it....The E-500 has a nice 10 sec. delay mode which works great. No need for a wireless remote

erickso1 · March 18, 2010 5:44AM

But it's a remote! TV's have channel changing buttons on the console but it is much cooler to use the remote! Compare two identical conversations.

1#
Person 1 :"Hey, nice camera setup"
Me: "Yeah, and check out this wireless remote"
P1 : "Sweet!"

2#
P1 : "Hey, nice camera setup"
Me: "Yeah, and check out its perfectly functional 10 sec delay"
P1 : " I think I left a stove on at home. And it's late. I gotta go."

In reality, thanks for the heads up on the delay, it was feature I didn't know I had and will be very useful........But in time I'll still probably get a sweet remote.

lkeigwin · March 18, 2010 10:39AM

Get the remote. Why wait 10 seconds between pix? I shoot 5 more in that time as I move around lighting.
Lance.

erickso1 · March 20, 2010 12:33PM

Thanks to all. Round two posted.

robec · March 20, 2010 1:00PM

Round 2 is shows a big improvement over Round 1. Lighting placement may still be a small issue, but coin focus is very good.

New Camera, First Camera.

Comments

Leave a Comment