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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,043 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
Does anyone have any experience with this camera? I've found what seems to be a decent deal on one and it includes two lenses. http://www.buydig.com/shop/product....0011965#tabsWould this be a good one for taking highly detailed pictures of coins? Thanks for your help |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
That's a nice deal, but two things: 1) A few years ago, that vendor was on my "don't touch with a ten-foot pole" list. They've since gotten better - apparently - based on Resellerratings feedback, but note that their feedback is either people who are completely satisfied or (10%) people who think they're thieves. Amazon has the identical deal if you're set on it. 2) Lens is just as important as camera - even more so - and neither of the lenses offered will do a whole lot better than a capable P&S for shooting coins. You won't get your money's worth out of it as a coin-shooting rig. You will get your money's worth if you see it as an entry-level dSLR kit, and you want to get dSLR-level serious about photography. A lens that will actually use that camera's abilities to image coins will cost as much as the rest of the kit put together. If all you want is to start imaging coins with a dSLR, buy the body only. Then choose a dedicated lens setup based on ease of use (Nikon/equivalent Macro lens, and spend more money) or lesser expense (bellows/duplicating lens at the cost of a lot more to learn). And if you do, lean Canon instead of Nikon because of Canon's free software package and electronic shutter curtain. As much as we throw this stuff around here with the implication that it's "easy," it's only "easy" because we've all previously invested the learning curve of photographic knowledge and technique relevant to the equipment we're using. If you're starting from scratch, it's pretty daunting. You wouldn't be the first who's started from scratch, it can be done, but don't underestimate the amount of work involved. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1370 Posts |
Thanks SsuperDdave....you just saved me $500 and probably much frustration . I have a decent Nikon P&S right now and an old Panasonic digital with a Leica lens....the Nikon does a better job, but I guess I'm looking for a pretty nice jump up in quality. But now that you've said photography is or can be daunting, I'm not sure if I can handle another daunting task....coins are daunting enough haha. I may just sink that $500 in a nice coin or two and stick with what I currently have.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
I love Nikon cameras,it is all I have ever owned. I have a D7100 and it is a great all around camera. If you are buying it just to take pictures of coins, it is overkill and has all the short comings of a hand held SLR. Unless you get a tripod there is always stabilization problems despite a very good auto stabilizing lens.
If all you want is coin picture taking, get a good USB camera. If you want a really good camera for , the kids, vacations and facebook postings that will also take good closeups, the D3100 is a great camera.
Micro Center has it for 446.95
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Micro Center has it for 446.95 I think that's body-only, isn't it? I have the impression that Nikon is offering temporary lens-package incentives like Canon does sometimes. I'm not trying to discourage you, shadowtrooper. Far from it; I get a warm feeling in my heart every time someone posts their first-ever set of high-end imagery.  You could probably do the whole darn thing for the initial cost of the above package if you shop judiciously and be patient; the camera doesn't have to be brand-new. Perfectly usable bellows/lens setups can be had on ebay for $100 or less, and rigging some sort of stand for it all isn't tough. But it's not a trivial undertaking. Once you've got it together and you know what you're doing, you will be astonished at how trivial it will be to create and post images that make your peers jealous. It just won't happen on Day One of your decision to go this way. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
Quote:
I think that's body-only, isn't it? No , whole set up, Mothers Day special until 5/15. Dave is right for great close up coin photography. Me, I have kids(sports) , work photos, event photos ....... I wish I could afford both but, for now I need a camera that will do everything. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
No , whole set up, Mothers Day special until 5/15.
Dave is right for great close up coin photography. Me, I have kids(sports) , work photos, event photos ....... I wish I could afford both but, for now I need a camera that will do everything. That tells me the entry-level has now become a battleground. Not surprising, because FF is about to become a battleground. We are the winners. So, using a dSLR for random photography, you've already acquired the photographic chops to work aperture, exposure and ISO to your advantage. The foundation is there. A bellows kit is a small additional investment. Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
Well I guess I shouldn't say I'm going to give up....just need to do more research before jumping the gun on a camera. My P&S is good enough for every day photos, now just need to find the right set up for coin photography, mixed with my budget. No real rush on this as these pictures are mainly for inventory purposes anyway. And possible future ebay sales if I decide to go that route. I think part of this is coming from wanting a new electronic gadget to play with.....it's been so long and I'm starting to go in to withdrawal.....probably not the best time to buy a camera haha. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1700 Posts |
Look,
I own a Nikon D5100 (with the 18-55 and 55-300) for amateur photography. However, I still use a Canon Point and Shoot for coins. Here is a list of reasons:
#1: You certainly don't need the 55-200/55-300 for shooting coins. 18-55mm is enough.
#2: These lens are NOT for macro. The 18-55mm has a MINIMUM FOCAL LENGTH of more than 50mm, which means you wouldn't even be able to cover up the size of a Canadian Loonie.
#3: Nikon D3100's resolution is not high enough to crop pictures.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1700 Posts |
Here's a list of alternating deals: 1)B&H is the biggest and most reliable store in North America for most types of updated technologies. Check it out http://www.bhphotovideo.com/2)Nikon has a 40mm macro/micro lens. I would (if I really want a DSLR), buy the body only plus a 40mm micro lens. The lens is also good for scenes. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
A couple years back I did some experimentation with my Canon 450D (a 12MP camera) and the kit 18-55 lens, just to see what it could do. The goal was to determine just how large an image it cold produce; I knew it wasn't going to match the resolution of a dedicated Macro lens. It was best at 55mm to that end, understanding that the greater the zoom, the longer the minimum focal length. After some experimentation, this is about the best I pulled from it:  That's 20% smaller than the original due to the limitations of the CCF Gallery - 800px diameter here, and actual was about 1015px diameter. I shot only the one Morgan with it. Were you to use the same setup for other coins and achieve similar magnification (no reason why you couldn't), below are the relative sizes you should achieve. Note, these coins were shot with other lenses and just appropriately sized as examples.   Not terrible, but certainly an underutilization of a nice camera. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
ST78...It's a bit discouraging you are wanting to make a big improvement over your P&S but don't feel you are up to the learning curve. There are many folks here that can help you get up that curve and take pics as good as any of us very quickly, and for a relatively low investment. For just a bit more than the price of the D5100 body alone, you can buy a used Canon XS, an enlarging lens, a bellows, lights, and a stand, and you'll have a setup with more macro range than any dedicated macro lens you can buy, plus equivalent or better image quality. You will be able to control the camera settings from the computer, frame your shot and critically focus on the monitor, and snap the shot with your mouse, and as SsDd says the software if free.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,043 |
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Posted 05/08/2013 4:04 pm
