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Moderator
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23522 Posts |
Quote:
How are these guys getting these super HD closeup images? Besides all their equiptment being better than mine, are they using way higher megapixel cameras?
It has nothing whatsoever to do with "megapixels." In fact, cramming more and more megapixels onto a sensor of a given size tends to make it worse - the best point-and-shoot images I've seen around here are from older cameras with less-concentrated sensors. Part of it is the effectiveness of the Macro function - your camera is of limited capacity in that regard. Many cameras can some within an inch or two of the coin and still achieve focus and yours is a real handicap at an 8" minimum. The best of the images you see around here are from a dedicated dSLR/macro setup using either manufacturer macro lenses or repurposed duplicating lenses mounted on a bellows. This, of course, ain't cheap - see the "Best I can get on a $400 budget" thread to get an idea. If this 1909 represents all you wish to shoot, obviously such a solution isn't appropriate for you. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7375 Posts |
Thanks Dave. Yes, this is the only slabbed coin I really need a decent picture of. The rest of them are raw and inexpensive coins. That's why I am trying to 'milk-the-cow' so to speak. In the process though, I am learning a tremendous amount about my camera, and photography. Yeah, I've seen great pictures come from less megapixels, so I sure you are right about a lesser quality macro function on my camera vs a "real" camera.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
Hi Ed, so taking into consideration that you're looking at ~$1500 sale on this coin, it may be worth spending a few dollars on a camera that will take decent photos of a coin in a slab. I'm not talking about spending $300 mind you, I'm talking about finding something that will work. You may need it for future sales as well. I currently own THIS camera. It's only 5mp. I took it to the FUN show last year and tested Superdave's photography skill with it. I always had a decent amount of success, but I wanted to see what an expert could do with it. Needless to say, it took some pretty good images. It actually has a super macro mode as well in which I can get within 4cm I think and it will still focus. Just a thought is all. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
tights24, Thanks for the heads up. It's in my watch list. Ed
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
Just found the old post where Dave showed what my camera did at the FUN show. Here |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I was impressed, to say the least. However, I suspect it might not be only *that* camera. During the early period of point-and-shoot cameras, Olympus was a real player (I still fondly remember my C2100UZ) but they weren't the only quality producer. I've personal experience with the Canon A60/A70 which performed rather nicely as well, and a few other members here are getting excellent results from old cameras. You know, edweather, even though the 1909 may be the only coin you really want to post on ebay, but it's probably not your only coin....if you're insuring your collection, the best proof of value is imagery. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Does the Olympus come with any cables, or battery charger, etc. Just wondering how I get the pictures from the card to the computer. Will any card reader work. In other words are the card sizes standard?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4596 Posts |
Yes, all memory cards are standard although there are about three common standards (plus Sony's Memory Stick).
Today, SD (SDHC, SDXC) are the most common, in both standard (oh, postage stamp) and micro (thumbnail - initially for cell phones).
A lot of older cameras used CF (Compact Flash)
You will see 56-in-1 card readers sold, that counts all the subformats (secure this and secure that).
(You can search Wikipedia - they have pictures of all of them).
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
I only ever used a card for added storage space on the camera in general. It should come with a usb cable that plugs from the camera to the PC. it's pretty simple. There is no remote tethering that I know of(although I haven't looked  ), and it runs on good ole fashion batteries. As Dave mentioned, there are a lot of cameras out there that will do the trick. Keep in mind, the Olympus does NOT have image stabilization, so this would be strictly a coin camera IMO. Although, it does have a sport mode for action photos that works very well..... |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I can't help but wonder about the need for another camera if this is the only coin you're going to want to image. Do you have a scanner? If so, that will suffice for a larger image of the coin itself, in conjunction with the full-slab image.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
tights24, I ended up buying the camera you linked me to. So I'm assuming that you were not the 'actual' owner of the camera. When you said that you own "this" camera, you meant one like it :-) Darn, I thought I was buying it from you, but noticed that it's location didn't match your profile. Anyway, I figured it would be good to have around. I do have a good scanner, but it's capabilities are limited too. Depends on the coin. Just tried scanning a nice 1922d penny VF+ figuring it would look good. But the wheat lines are blurry. In reality they are totally visible. I do have a few other slabbed coins that I might sell someday, and might be buying some more. It will be nice to have a camera that takes a decent close-up. I figured 'what the heck' for 30 bucks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
hahahaha, no Ed, I wasn't the seller. I was just posting an example. If you need any help with it, let me know. I didn't see the cable or the manual in the listing. You should be able to grab the manual online easily. As for the cable, hopefully it's there or you will need some kind of card reader. The best thing I can recommend when you get the camera, is to find the super macro mode, do a quick close up of the coin on a tripod, and see what you get. From there back it off to about 8 inches and see how well it will zoom in and focus in full auto.
between Dave and Ray, they will be able to get you going for sure. they are the camera guys here.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
I have one of those 50 in 1 card readers, so hopefully it will work. The manual should be easy to find online. Thanks. Ed
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Been experimenting a bit with my new (used) Olympus C-5500. The super macro is pretty cool. Have been able to get really close, but the light is blocked. Have been experimenting from about 2" away. This is a raw photo with the camera slightly tilted, and the coin is flat a little bit out in front of the camera. I know it's not the perfect picture, but it looks the most like the real coin in hand with decent details. I tried all the other modes and regular macro and haven't been able to get anything to focus closer than 10"  cropped...check out the initials under the shoulder!  Edited by edweather
11/11/2013 12:02 am
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
OK, he's dangerous now.  |
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Posted 10/31/2013 8:07 pm
