Best Digital Camera For The Buck For Coins

You shouldn't have too much problem. I am certainly no pro and don't do much special. Lighting is always the tough part. I use 2 or 3 goose necks depending upon which works better.

From a strictly professional standpoint, the best point-and-shoot digitals have been Nikon, Canon and Olympus.

Megapixel is a BS sales game, so coming from film don't get fooled. Digital zoom is more BS; optical is all that matters. The name of the game is RESOLUTION--not pixels.

For coins, built-in macro capability is a feature to look for. AC adapter if you will do a lot of coins. LCD's use batteries!!! The optical viewfinder won't work for macro.

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Originally posted by SuperDave


My S2 viewfinder shows a precise representation of the shot - the focus, white balance, size, bracketing and exposure are exactly as the pic will take.

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That's the benefit of having an lcd viewfinder. I love that on the FZ7. Many point and shoots don't have it though. Without it, it makes judging depth of field, white balance and focus especially hard.

Similarly, an AC charger is not needed for a lot of new cameras either. I could take 300 or more shots on the FZ7 before I even have to think about what my battery level might be at.

His megapixel point does have some merit but I think it has to do more with noise developing as they cram more and more megapixels onto the same sized sensors. But that is usually only applicable as you go up in ISO to the 400, 800 or 1600 level in point and shoots. With dSLRs, noise isn't much of a problem until 1600 or higher ISO because the sensors are so much larger. You shouldn't have to take a coin pic higher than 80 or 100 ISO so noise isn't going to be an issue.

Roman, that's a nice camera. I'll be very interested to see what it can do.

Fred

Argh - I am getting so frustrated! Using a tripod and with only 1 50W bulb (my "away from home" set-up):

Well - it's a fun camera. I will need to invest in a better lens for it, for sure. I was able to compensate for poor lighting with custom white-balance setting. It's neat - just take a picture of your white canvas (even though it looks more yellow than white in this light), and the camera uses that image to set-up white balance.

Here's my 1797 8 Reales:



Here's the shield of Spain on the reverse:



And here's one of my favorite coins (the toning on this coin is very beautiful, but impossible to photograph - I think I have to use some kind of tilting technique for it). It's a 1814 8 Reales from Guadalajara mint. If I am reading my Calbeto reference correctly - it appears to be the "no dot before HISPAN" variety, which is neat :)



I can't wait to see what this camera can do with proper lighting and a nice macro lens...

~Roman

I've spent an hour or so playing around with different ISO, aperature and exposure. I finally settled down on ISO 100, Aperature 8.0 as suggested by a member from PCGS boards, taking images a little over-exposed (25-40).

I think it's an improvement...

My initial 1797 8Reales:



After tonight:



I'll go practice on copper now.

~Roman

Here is a Photo of a 2 Reales I took with my brand new Panasonic FZ7. Just got the Camera yesterday, so I need some more practice!

Frank