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 Replies: 20 / Views: 4,594 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Shale, This thread, https://goccf.com/t/88598&whichpage=1has a few tips dedicated to USB cameras. I feel that you should find some advice, applications, and techniques here to assist in pushing the envelope of your device for maximum innovation. For the money USBs do deliver decent bang for the buck while falling short only when high resolution and/or extreme clarify requirements present themselves: i.e. precisely assigning MS grades to highly reflective proof-like surfaces etc... mdpmedia |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
I don't use microscopes.
The more magnification you get the worse a coin looks.
Even MS- or PF-70 coins look bad under enough magnification.
And then if you start photoshopping them (except maybe for image brightness) you are creating a lie.
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Valued Member
 United States
245 Posts |
I agree and disagree kanga... the more magnification I use, the more the coin opens up to me and tells a story. I had max zoom on a MS dime and you could see all of the die marks/polish, etc.. obviously without perspective, it is useless for grading, but it is still pretty neat.
I actually used this method to photograph a few toned dimes I had, and it was pretty amazing... even the darker/bronze patina coins you could see that the color was actually the result of darker speckling, that when cumulatively viewed, like pixels on a monitor, gave it a certain tone.
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
Part of the problem is that you bought a very cheap usb microscope that has plastic lenses. Most of our coin collectors use a Dino-Lite digital handheld microscope as they offer superb resolution, are beautifully made with robust and consistently reliable software. Even with the entry-level models, you will find far better results than from your current model.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
I would not agree that Dino-Lites offer superb resolution. You need to pay $400 to get their 1.3MP model! The entry level models are 0.3MP (640x480). I do agree that they give a better image quality than the OP is showing, but let's not lose perspective.
Edited by rmpsrpms
01/07/2015 11:12 am
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Even with the entry-level models, you will find far better results than from your current model. I've seen a lot of USB microscopes in this Forum over the last decade, and this one produces among the finest results I've seen from an inexpensive scope. I do not use them, I do not recommend them, because a dSLR-based system capable of both this level of magnification as well as professional-level full-face imaging can be had for well under $500 including the camera. But this is one I could recommend, at the price. |
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
 with rmpsrmps and Superdave regardign Dinolites. Why pay US$400.00 for a USB microscope when a ICLC ( interchangeable lens camera: lets not forget mirrorless guys!!) system can do the same job and heaps more for the same cost? Edited by austrokiwi
01/07/2015 3:19 pm
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
We've proven, many times over with the folks we've convinced and then taught once they purchased the equipment, that $400 is enough to put you on a professional level with all types of coin imaging simultaneously. It's not difficult when lenses are only $25 - how many you want?  |
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Valued Member
United States
245 Posts |
My wife has a T4i, I'm still researching what kind of setup to get for that. figure a few wooden blocks and the right lens, with a remote trigger should do it! I should probably search through this forum :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
Quote:
My wife has a T4i This will make SuperDave and rmps salivate with wanting to help you. While I'm not a camera guy, I'm pretty sure the T4i is north of 15mp. My "guess" is that even a standard lens on that rig will blow away what you took above with ease. Definitely search on here as there are probably multiple threads with Canon's that will have similar if not identical features to help you dial things in. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
The T4i is Canon's current-generation 18MP sensor in a previous model, an absolutely outstanding camera capable of results of the highest quality. With that as a foundation, add an inexpensive bellows and a few $25 lenses and you can be as good as anyone shooting coins anywhere. It doesn't take a $600 macro lens.
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
Actually for coins a US$600.00 macro lens will probably not be as good as a US$60.00 Enlarger lens. Macro lenses for ICLC ( DSLR and Mirror less) have too many design compromises for coins. Enlarger lenses are designed in such away as to be ideal for coins. To get a Modern macro lens to match a good enlarger lens you are probably going to have to start looking at around US$1000.00 and upwards
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
To turn that T4i into a pro coin photography rig, you will need a handful of inexpensive items: 1) A steady mount (ideally a copy stand or modified microscope stand) 2) A used duplication/enlarger lens (can easily be <$50) 3) A bellows (~$30 or less) 4) A handful of adapters and extension tubes to hook it all together 5) Some light sources and craft supplies for shaping and diffusing them After that it's just technique and practice.  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
See?  You would never think such professional results possible from such cheap lenses. They're not only that cheap but also the weapon of choice for some pretty serious shooters. It's almost like a magical trade secret that we're trying our hardest to make public. Anybody can do this stuff. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Replies: 20 / Views: 4,594 |
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First Page
Posted 01/07/2015 08:11 am
