Which Camera Do You Use?

I just got a new camera a few weeks ago - a Canon SX260 HS. It is a higher-end point and shoot with a 20x optical zoom with optical image stabilization and a CMOS sensor. I bought it as a general purpose camera in addition to use for coin photos; I did take some shots this weekend. Details turned out great but I shot them in sunlight and so I am not yet happy with the color. I read up on how to adjust white balance and will give it another try with more controlled lighting conditions. I also bought a copy stand recently and am looking forward to trying it out as well.

Here's one of the better ones with the new camera:



A little too washed out overall but a good learning experience with the new camera.

I use a DSLR - Pentax K5. For macro shots I use a Tamron 90mm Macro lens.




Yes, it is weather sealed although I've never had mine that wet!

Olympus 500UZ

Shot freehand:

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Interesting - am curious if I need a macro lens for a Canon SX30IS to take pics of my coins?

I'm a Canon DSLR user my self, I have a lot of them, as an ex-professional photographer. Mostly I'm using the 5D mkII and mkIII models, a 7D and 20Da once in awhile. I use Canon's EF 100mm USM Macro (older model), and have a Pentax Bellows attachment for Canon that I use 35 through 100mm lenses from Schneider, Pentax, Nikon and Rodenstock. Next up will be the mid range Canon 50mm F/1.4 and a set of extension tubes.

I also use a USB Microscope sometimes, along with a modified webcam adapted for a stereo microscope 1.5-7x

I'd start off with a good Canon/Nikon body and go from there, bellows are easy to adapt and a lot of choices in inexpensive manual focus lenses are out in the marketplace today. The Rebel T3 us a great one as it has Live View, a feature you can use your computer to focus and run the show from. Of course manual focus with the bellows, but software can control the auto-focus as well now. Very cool to be hands off for a stable platform to begin shooting with.

For lighting, a lot of us here, including me, are using Ikea jansjo lamps (two of them sometimes three) at $9.00 each, they are a bargain. LED so low power and cooler than incandecent or halogen. no fire hazard (yes I remember setting difussers on fire with hot lamps in the studio)

Search around a bit in this section of CCF you will find a lot of great info contained right here on CCF!

For more check out - Mark Goodman's site. http://coinimaging.com/index.html

If you want to start out cheap as possible with superb image quality, I recommend a Canon XS. Can get used XS bodies for <$200. They are 10MP and have Live View, tethering capability, and EFSC.

I have a new Canon SX160IS and still trying to learn abouut it. I really need to find a camera class at our local Jr College.