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 Replies: 35 / Views: 4,294 |
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
I'm building an MS64 Morgan collection, two coins a month. I'd like to divert some funds into buying a camera, so I can post them. I have no idea what to buy. I'd appreciate any advise as to which camera to buy and what specs to look for. Don't want to spend too much coin money, though.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
we will need to know if you are looking into the SLR territory or if you just want a Point and Shoot. We will need to know that before we can recommend anything
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Valued Member
 United States
386 Posts |
Don't know, Bryan1315. I am totally ignorant on this. Don't know what an "SLR" is. I only know that the point an shoot I borrowed for coin pics was inadequate.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
others will disagree, but I don't see the need for SLR, now that digital cameras are the norm.
A basic digital, which you can call a "point and shoot", will do the job.
There are plenty of good cameras at a reasonable price, and each of them has its fans.
I have been very happy with my Canon, model IXUS 220.
Canon bring out new models every six months, and the older models are heavily discounted, so if you shop around, you'll get a recently-superceded, but new camera, and plenty of change from $200.
Nowadays, digitals are available with 12 or more megapixel, but 6 MP is fine for your purpose.
The other things you'll need are -
good lighting: either a place that is well-lit naturally; or with a lamp.
a tripod: when photographing a coin, use the camera's timer, so that you are not touching the camera at all, eliminating vibration.
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Great post, Peter THOMAS. You took time and gave me good advice and I'm very grateful.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1351 Posts |
Blackjack go to page 2 of this forum and see the results of a Canon Powershot A800.I was so impressed I just bought a refurbed one for just over £30 delivered. (and I have 3 Nikon DSLR's and another point and shoot)Can't have enough toys.There are plenty of cheap ones on ebay.com I need to photograph 40 years of collecting from scratch. Colour coded backgrounds ETC.So the whole family will be tasked over Xmas. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1351 Posts |
Apologies the thread is titled Canon Powershot A1200.
The pictures produced by the A800 are in this thread.
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
peter1234, Yes, I looked at those pictures. They're really fine. I'll have to look and see what the A800 costs in US dollars. Nice of you to send me to that post. I need a camera, for sure, but, you know, I'll be thinking that I'm spending good coin money.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
in my opinion the main things to look for when looking at a point and shoot for coin photography is a macro mode and I like a custom WB. The reason I added custom wb into the mix is you usually do not have to do any post processing after the shots to get the color right. Some of my best shots was done with a $20.00 3.3 MP camera that is probably over 10 years old now. Here are some examples and none of these shots had any post processing after I took the shots    The reason I asked what type of camera you were looking for is some of the older SLR cameras are just about as cheap as a P&S now and they will offer allot of expansion over the P&S, the only downfall is you have to get a dedicated lens for what you are shooting. So even though the P&S will usually do fine the SLR is still a better choice as far as being able to do one thing at a time. The P&S is made to do everything adequately well, where the SLR can be set up for specific tasks |
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Bryan 1315, I'm really ignorant in this matter. Wha is a "custom wb"? And, you know, I don't have a camera at all, so I'm going to go for the point and shoot; this way, as you put it, the camera will "do everything adequately well." Those are nice pics you took with that older camera. I posted pictures yesterday that I took with a Nikon Coolpix, wide 5x7 zoom, 14.0 mp, and I'm severely disappointed in how my coin photographed. Maybe it was my inexperience.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
custom WB is Custom White Balance. I use it all the time because I don't like doing post processing because I am a little color blind (not bad but enough to notice) and every time I try to correct the WB in a program everyone else says it has a blue tint to it. it can take time to get used to a camera and its features. I could take better pictures with the P&S that5 was used above than I can ever replicate with t=m,y SLR camera but I haven't even scratched the surface on what the camera can do because I am not a photographer and most of its features are over my head. If the camera you used has a button or setting that looks like a flower that is the macro setting, it will help with coin shots because it helps take out allot of the focus problems most have when taking a picture of a coin  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I found your pictures and it doesn't look like it is in focus very well and using the macro setting and (usually) pushing the shutter button down half way will allow it to focus automatically and then push the shutter all the way down to take the shot will probably make the pictures look allot better. Usually when the shutter button is half pressed it will auto focus in macro mode and then beep once its focused, then you can just press the button fully
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Thank you for finding the pictures I posted, Bryan1315. You see how dumb I am in this. I will try what you suggest. You're kind for explaining so thoroughly. Yeah, I'm going to settle on a point and shoot eventually.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I am not the best when it comes to photography as well. I don't know what allot of the settings on my SLR camera even does but I just keep messing with them until I get something I am happy with and try to keep it as close to that as possible every time I take a picture. I have also asked allot of questions from other members to get their opinions as we have allot of members that are very knowledgeable when it comes to photography and they have helped me a lot
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Yes, Bryan1315, I couldn't ask for a better group of people. You are all good people. Thank you.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
when you decide on a camera you will be able to ask specific questions about your specific camera and get allot more help with your photos. Coins can be very aggravating to photograph for some reason but those that do it well can make their coins look beautiful
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Replies: 35 / Views: 4,294 |
Posted 11/14/2012 05:44 am
