Question On Getting Close Up Shots

Xshift, I guess I don't have a true macro lens. This is a thinner-looking lens that screws on to the end of the zoom lens.

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm going to have to get out the instruction manual for my camera again and start reading. I haven't got past the sections of attaching a lens and turning on the camera. But I'd like to try your suggestions so I'll read up on what to do. Thanks again.

freshcurrency,

When you're taking shots of mintmarks and letters/numbers, you are probably trying to show doubling, overdates, and repunches. I gave up trying to use macro-photography to capture these and switched to an inexpensive USB digital microscope. You'll lose color, but that isn't what you're trying to capture. Here's an example of what you'll get:

Nic

It's the QX45 that looks like a fat microscope. It's actually a kids' toy but you can see the results. It offers 10x, 60x and 200x magnification. The shot above was 60x. I haven't found a need yet for 200x and Morgans are just too fat to make that magnification work. The 10x gives a wider field of view to show multiple features. The whole thing cost about $75. It plugs into the USB port and has it's own internal lighting that can be moderately adjusted. I've had it over a year now and it consistently gives these type results.

There are other, more expensive models that will offer more true colors and tones, but I show that with my Canon on macro.

Thank you seatedNut for the reply, QX45 I assume is the model number, what would be the brand name?

Pardon the inexperience and lack of info on this type of close-up equipment, I don't have any. thanks again

Digital Blue also makes the QX3. Same specs, etc, but it had a focus problem. It "bounced, and jerked" when adjusting the focus. I made a mounting ring that fits the body of the scope, and it sits on the dase of mt QSZ Stereo-Zoom scope. . nice smooth focus adj., and more light available. BTW, the lighting had to be "worked on, as well. I like that shot of the "P" I am currently working on that same thing, too, so I'll be following this thread very closely. If anyone can 'figure our your problems, it is SD, thanks for beibng there, Dave!
Dick

Thanks for the suggestion of a USB microscope SeatedNut. I didn't know they made those. I've started looking into them on Amazon and they can get very expensive. I'll have to look at the one you recommended by name.

Thanks again everyone for your help.

Thanks SeatedNut and livingdinasaur! the QX5 should solve my prob with a 1964D Roosevelt double die Rev coin, I can see the double die with a magnifying glass but my camera cant "see" it clearly! Your magnified "P" is an eye opener. Gracias!

I have too been confronted with this problem, wanting close up, clear pictures.
I too purchased a QX5 digital MICROSCOPE camera, as stated above, you get what you pay for, the focus is very, very rough, you can not control the lighting as "I feel you need to get the optimum results", also you can NOT take a picture of the entire coin, only a small portion of the coin at any given time.
I do use this camera for some very in depth close up detailed pictures, however I have purchased about 8-9 cameras in my time( more than 25+ years) for all types of picture taking reasons and for close up coin pictures, IMO, I just purchased the Canon Powershot SX 120-IS, also has a 10x optical zoom, this camera has many features that control the needed settings, talk about point and shoot, with a selection of using the "easy" mode or the auto mode.
I am extremely pleased with this camera for this reason( coins ) and everything else, I am a photography lover and enjoy taking pictures of just about everything I can, just my opinion, Mike....