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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,428 |
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Valued Member
United States
487 Posts |
Found photographing my coins with my ancient Kodak 2.0 mega pixels is not working, went to a newer Kodak Easy share 10.3 Mega w/ 3X optical zoom with not any more success. Need help on picking out a camera that would work to photograph my coins. Budget is a issue! Opinions Wanted!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
A lot depends on size.When I upload pics to my computer they are huge, so when I crop them they give out the illusion of a very close up shot, even if I took the picture a feet away or so from the coin. A good relatively cheap camera, is the Canon SD780IS. They go for a little less (or sometimes a little more) than $100 on ebay, and it takes decent photos. Here are some photos I took with it, without a tripod or copy stand. I did edit it in Photoscape though, which is a free photo editing software. Not the best photos, but for the money it's not bad, in my opinion:    Edited by wheatguy
07/15/2010 11:13 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
I'd rate these 98 out of 100. Details are extremely sharp and clear, but you may have "lightened" the images a tad too much. A little more contrast on the cents would be better. (My 2¢ worth, lol.)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
Thanks, pls! I only cropped it, I try not to mess around with the contrast stuff. I'll try to follow your advice next time.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
My advice, rastatodd? Pick wheatguy's brain, soon. He's doing stuff with that SD780 which shouldn't be possible.  And for you, wheatguy: here's the result of 15 seconds' work in the Gimp:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
Wow, great improvement, SuperDave! I may have to try out the fancy, confusing areas of coin photography soon.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
There's a lot of good advice on some other threads - I would go back and check them out. I am not yet "great" at taking pictures, but have managed to get some decent looking shots. The keys to me are: 1) Lighting - I have been experimenting with Edison bulbs, halogen, natural light, etc. - as well as varying angles and filters 2) Use macrofocus 3) Use a tripod and timer to minimize camera shake 4) Basic photo editing software to be able to crop and make minor adjustments After you get these things down, you can start getting into setting exposure, contrast, etc. I haven't really ventured down this path yet. Edited to add - the Kodak 10.3MP is probably not the biggest issue Edited by KenKat
07/16/2010 11:31 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
You two guys have something up your sleeves. I've tried and tried to get my picture improved and put hours into determining how many pixels would add up to 92 kbs. I've even tried to solicit for more space as Superdave suggested. Even tried to join the Frappers thinking I might get more kbs.... nada. Until the site allows say.... 150 kbs for pics, most of us will not be able to post photos like yours. You and wheatguy do wonders with your pics and I'm jealous of your photos!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
Wow wheatguy, you took those without a tripod? Those pics look fantastic.
You must have some steady hands.
I've got a Canon Powershot SX120IS, and it seems capable, too. One feature I'd like in the next camera is a memory card slot that ISN'T on the bottom of the camera. Tired of taking it off tripod to move pics. Or maybe I need to try to tether it to the computer.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
carmykle, photo size is not a concern if you use an external hosting service such as Flikr or Photobucket. You can also get a CCF gallery. The size limit only applies to direct uploads. rastatodd, my advice to you is find a camera with the best optical zoom you can afford. Go for at least 5x but 7-10x is even better if you can afford it. A copystand or tripod is also a necessary accessory. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
Good advice Biokemist and thanks Steve! I took those photos of the Morgan about a feet away and then cropped it in Photoscape. Here is the same images, except with a close-up of the date (without a tripod or microscope) and made a bit smaller. It's surprising how an affordable camera can take pretty good photos.  |
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Valued Member
 United States
487 Posts |
Anybody familiar with a Canon PowerShot SX110 IS. One up for auction on the "Bay" used. Comes with the following:
-Canon SX110
-2GB MicroSD [with SD adapter][with CHDK firmware preinstall] (Kingston brand)
-2 Tripods, one that rotates and other is as stand still
-Manual
-Accessories [untouched brand new]
--The Camera adapter that connects audio and video to a tv
--The usb adapter
--2 Panasonic AA batteries
Any thoughts?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Great shots Wheatguy! I'm using a SD790IS with good results too!  |
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Valued Member
United States
321 Posts |
I am using a Sony Cyber-shot W290 point and shoot with minimal manual settings. I happened to get very lucky with them and found a good balance of things.  |
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Valued Member
United States
487 Posts |
Question for wheatguy, the pictures that you toke using the Canon SD780IS did you have to manipulate the aperture or do anything special to get those good pictures?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
No, I just uploaded the pics to my computer, cropped them, and uploaded them to CCF. I did combine the Lincoln cents into one image. Quote:
Great shots Wheatguy! Thanks! I remember buying the camera off a recommendation from you, it was definitely a good choice. |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,428 |
Posted 07/15/2010 11:33 pm
