New/Used Camera Challenge - On A T-I-G-H-T Budget

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,842
burks Valued Member United States 118 Posts	Posted 03/03/2014 12:15 am Sorry this has to be my first post but I'll get to the point. Over the years I had been using my dad's Sony DSLR (pretty sure that's what it is, it was >$1k). Well, it doesn't work any more (probably 10+ years old at least). My issue is I don't take many photos other than a random vacation once every few years or some photos of my car/car show. I mainly do coins. My issue is I can't honestly see spending $200+ on a camera I'll use for <$50 coins. Doesn't make financial sense to me. I just want to share nice images of my newps with people, not selling high end coins here. Nice thing is I already have a stand and all the lights from my previous setup. So here is my challenge. I have $150 (not counting new lenses, if needed or shipping) to spend. Can you provided me with a camera to meet my price point? $150 or less Can take acceptable and better coin photos Able to accept additional lenses is a plus Refurbished is fine, used is ok as well (readily available on ebay and such) I know it's asking a lot. I've been looking for a few days but I'm rather camera stupid. Me after about 10 minutes. ----> Appreciate all the help in advance. Edited by burks 03/03/2014 02:08 am Report this Post to the Staff

rmpsrpms Pillar of the Community United States 4038 Posts	Posted 03/03/2014 01:06 am You can probably get a Canon XS on ebay for less than that if you're reasonably patient. Great camera for coins. Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com Report this Post to the Staff
Classic Coins Pillar of the Community United States 940 Posts	Posted 03/03/2014 01:19 am Burks, I bought a Canon T3i DSLR camera about a year and a half ago, and began photographing coins with it about nine months ago. I've already violated your $150 or less criteria, but something I would recommend you consider is the equally satisfying and complimentary hobby of coin photography. Think about diverting some of your coin budget to buying a nice camera. Possibly the most critical feature in a camera I've found for photographing coins is manual focus. I certainly don't research cameras regularly, but I'm not aware of a $150-or-less camera with a good manual focus. Relying on auto-focus in a point-and-shoot is pretty much guaranteed to disappoint, especially without a tripod or equivalent stabilizer. I guess the bottom line is that you get what you pay for. You may be able to get some decent coin photos with a point-and-shoot camera if you: 1) find a way to stabilize the camera and use the delayed shutter to reduce camera shake, 2) align the camera lens so that it is perfectly level with the coin, 3) master lighting (may take a lot of experimentation - try indirect sunlight). Good luck! Edited by Classic Coins 03/03/2014 01:35 am Report this Post to the Staff
burks Valued Member United States 118 Posts	Posted 03/03/2014 02:18 am I did pretty well using the axial lighting technique. Really helped bring out the colors and the bright silver of a lot of coins. This was even with a 10+ year old camera. Depending on what I have left from the wedding (you see my $150 limit coming into play here right?), I might be able to bump it up a bit. But that's not until June. I'll do some digging on ebay to see what I can find. Who knows, might get lucky. I do see that KEH.com has a lot of Nikons/Canons in my price range. They are used but in Excellent or better condition. Nikon: D40 - $149 D50 - $119 D70S - $144 D100 - $119 Canon: 10D - $84 20D - $129 Rebel XTI - $139 They are just the camera body with the charger and battery. I wouldn't be opposed to a lower camera but with a quality macro lens. Report this Post to the Staff
rmpsrpms Pillar of the Community United States 4038 Posts	Posted 03/03/2014 3:20 pm Go with Canon. If the XTi has Live View, go for it. Otherwise hold out for a Canon with Live View. Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com Report this Post to the Staff
barryg Pillar of the Community United States 5850 Posts	Posted 03/03/2014 5:53 pm I've had good luck with a cheap 8MP Nikon Coolpix that has a macro setting. The trick is to provide lots of light and a way to cut the glare. I use half of a gallon milk jug for my diffuser and the top of milk jug does a good job steadying the camera. The camera was only $99, and that was probably 3-4 years ago. Click the link in my signature line to see some of my coin photographs. Expanded Digital U.S. Type Set Album \| Dansco 8100 (Lincon Cents) Album \| Digital Proof Type Set \| Digital U.S. Currency Type Set \| Foreign Bullion Coins Report this Post to the Staff
burks Valued Member United States 118 Posts	Posted 03/05/2014 12:58 am barry, those are great photos! Exactly the quality I want and that I'd be 100% pleased with. Nice 7070 too. A lot further than I am. Report this Post to the Staff
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