Coin Photography -- Macro?

Hi KG--

Macro in digital cameras is usually applied synonomously with "close-up". Each camera make and model will have different parameters for macro in terms of the distance from the lens to the object being photographed. For example, the macro function on my Canon S2 IS is about 1.5 ft down to about 6" (I'm not certain of these distances since my manual is waaaaay out in my car). Then, any closer, the S2 IS has a Super Macro function which permits me to get even closer.

For my coin pics, I use a combination of the macro function (controlled by a button) and the optical zoom which permits full frame images of the coin. I shoot from a distance of about 16".

Your lower pic of the 23 Peace dollar is really quite good. Good focus, good lighting.

I really started on coin photography with my S2 IS only a couple months ago - I bought the camera in April. Knowing I had a steep learning curve, I experimented over a period of about three weeks with different settings, lighting, ISO ("film") speed, shutter speed and f/stops and just about every one of the hundreds of combinations of exposure. I still haven't fully mastered it, but I'm getting close enough that I was able to sell a Morgan for major bucks on ebay. In preparation for that listing, I took close to 400 images of only three coins, so it took a little patience on my part (and I am not a very patient person). I also kept copious notes on each exposure so I'd know where I had been, where I was going, what worked, and what didn't. My camera is not my father's Brownie Starflash.

I am certain others will kick in here soon with their own ideas.

Fred

Macro On the digital cameras is usually indicated by a little tulip looking icon ,, My Fugi film A-205 has a macro setting as well as a zoom .

This setting as Fred said is used for close up Photography .

unfortunately not all digital cameras have a macro setting, If you could not find the instructions for use in your manuel ,,yours may not have that option.

Rick

As already stated Macro is sort of like Micro meaning or another way of saying close up to the subject. If your camera does not have such a feature that would indicate you probably can not take clear photos closer than abour a 6" or so. However, if this is true you may want to check your camera for threads on the front of the lense. Many decent cameras have what is called a filter ring on the front of the lense. It can be used for a cover for your lense but it can also be used for the addition of filters and close up lenses. If there are such threads on the front of your camera and it does tell you what the mm size is you would have to measure that diameter. Then if you can find a decent camera store or go on and try organisations such as B&H Photo Supplies (bhphotovideo.com), on of the largest photo supply companies, you may wantot purchase a few close up lenses. Vivitar, for example makes a 3 filter ring set of close up lenses that are listed as +1,+2+3. The total combination would allow you to put your camera right on the coin. Also, if you have trouble with glare, there are polarizing filters. If you do not have the appropriate filter ring for lenses available, there are also filter ring adapters that will allow you to go up or down in sizes. Many of such filters can spilt images, fog, star, sparkel, etc., etc. I have about 100 of such filters.