Here's My Dilema!

Thanks KurtS, tried the super macro and it wasn't that super lol. I guess I'll try to save up for a better camera or a camera with better macro. Thanks again.

Mr Merc, I have an Olympus C5500 which is 5 mp and 5X optical, so in essence, not that much better than what you have hardware wise. Having said that, I have only taken pictures in full auto mode. Each one of thee pics are from my camera with no adjustments in white balance or shutter speeds etc. They are taken with a tripod, and not the greatest/dedicated lighting. The close ups are in macro or super macro, but the "entire coin" shots are in regular zoom at about 8-10 inches. Sometimes I zoom in one step. The rest is cropping and resizing with no post processing done on my part for sharpness or color. Hopefully this helps you a bit. Clicking on each will enlarge a bit. This is certainly something I want to upgrade in the future, but I believe these photos are good enough to accurately grade from knowing that true grade still needs an in hand perspective.

Another question, this camera has a 12X digital zoom, 3X optical zoom. Would I be better off using the digital zoom? Thanks.

Mr. Merc...don't forget to post some of your results!

Mr Merc, is this the stand you picked up? I would be interested in knowing your thoughts on it when it arrives.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Compact-macro-c...as_W0QQitemZ140199060611QQihZ004QQcategoryZ15215QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks.
Jim

mr merc, don't forget about lighting. I use 4 different light sources, which is contrary to most advice I've seen:

1)Halogen work light like this:

2) Overhead 60W flood (I have recessed flood lights in my basement)
3) Regular bankers lamp with 60W bulb filtered with a "Kimwipe" taped over it.
4) "Natural" desk lamp, a bluish part of the visable spectrum.

My theory is to mix all these lights to increase the wavelength range of the lighting, more closely imitating the sun. My point...LIGHTING IS KING (after the camera). LOL

Your camera should be fine for coins with macro mode. Just keep the cam at the minimum distance, 4-8 cm. Remember, you have to press the shutter button HALF WAY DOWN to let the cam focus before you snap. If it's out of focus, move back and do another half snap to check. I've depressed my shutter button half way many more times than fully. LOL

Definately use zoom, but don't use digital zoom. I've found 2.4-3.4x work well for me using free-hand. IMO, you don't really need that stand if you sit next a table and rest your arms on it. Give is a shot, all my pics are free-hand, like this:



Plus you have more options for angled shots free-hand:

OK,here's my first try. I shot this in super macro mode about 3" away. I need to work on my lighting. This was shot with 2 desk lamps with 40watt bulbs, may have to try the halogen lamp.

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