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 Replies: 9 / Views: 3,174 |
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New Member
Australia
12 Posts |
After reading peoples recommendations on what type of camera to buy, I took the plunge and purchased (from ebay) a secondhand Canon EOS 550D. First issue is the chap who sold it didn't supply the manual or discs (I believe there are two). I also purchased a 16gb sandisk memory card. Already have a rickety tripod which should do the trick. This camera looks pretty out there in terms of what it can do, but: 1)Can it be tethered to my PC or Mac? 2)Can I download the discs? 3)What picture software do you recommend for editing? 4)Do I need a remote timer/disc reader or can I click and shoot/download,(figuring the answer is where my first question lays)? Apologies in advance with all the questions Cheers Axiom |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
1) Yes, it can be tethered to the PC, but you'll need the Canon software. Other solutions are available, but they cost money.
2) No, you can't, unfortunately. Manual yes, software no; only updates are available and you need an existing software install to utilize them.
3) Me? I use the Gimp. It's free, but rather complex and possibly intimidating to the new graphics software user.
4) If you're tethering, neither timer nor reader is necessary.
So what did you get for lenses?
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New Member
 Australia
12 Posts |
Hi SuperDave,
The Canon lenses are:
1)EFS 18-55mm
2)EFS 55-250mm
3) 75-300mm
4)EF 50mm f/2.5
Which one do you recommend for coin pictures?
I have contacted the fella about the discs, hopefully he can mail them to me
Thanks for your help
Cheers
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
You'll be wanting to concentrate on the 50mm/2.5 - it's a dedicated macro lens which will likely acquit itself well with coin photography. Minimum focusing distance for this one is 230mm, measured from the actual sensor of the camera rather than a point on the lens.
That's a pretty decent lens. I suspect you'll like it. If you cannot get the software from the seller, I may be able to help.
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New Member
Australia
12 Posts |
Hi Dave
Thanks for your kind offer, he threw out the discs.
I did manage to find something on the net and is downloading as I type.
Let you know if it's sucessful
I figured the 50mm would do the job, I'll measure up the distance and take a trial shot.
This will be the first shot to compare later shots to.
Can't wait to start chipping away at the coin photography knowedge front, I reckon there's years of fun ahead!
I'll try and post some pictures once I get get myself sorted.
Cheers
Axiom
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Here's a quick baseline, with the caveat that I don't know what type of lighting you're going to use:
Shoot in full Manual mode. Start at ISO200, f/8, and an exposure of 1/160. Vary the exposure if the coin is too dark or too bright; if it's *really* bad one way or the other, change the ISO to 100 (too bright) or 400 (too dark). You will be able to reliably shoot with exposures under 1/100, and on the upper end the sky's the limit, but if you have to go under 1/100 or over 1/500 you're probably going to want to reconsider the lighting setup.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
Axiom...make sure you shoot in Live View mode. This will eliminate any vibration caused by mirror bounce, and also automatically turns on the EFSC function which further reduces vibration caused by shutter operation...Ray
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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New Member
Australia
12 Posts |
Thanks Ray
Might try the timer function as well, too much shake when I try depressing the shutter by hand
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New Member
Australia
12 Posts |
OK
The chap got back to me this morning, he didn't install the software and tossed the discs!
Spent hours searching the net for a downloadable version of the Canon software to no avail so I'm back to square 1 on that front.
Having trouble downloading images onto my PC, some come through others won't
Dave I think I need your help
Cheers
Axiom
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New Member
Australia
12 Posts |
Hold that thought
I think I managed to download a version to my Mac, unfortunately the Canon battery is low, so I'll get back onto it tomorrow
Cheers
Axiom
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Replies: 9 / Views: 3,174 |
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Posted 04/26/2012 01:26 am
