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 Replies: 17 / Views: 4,056 |
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New Member
United States
11 Posts |
I have just recently been wanting to show off my newest acquisitions, but all I have that takes pictures is a scanner, which just makes them white circles, and a phone, which doesn't show all the tiny details. Just the other day I sold a coin for the price that an XF would get, even though my coin is an AU and honestly I don't like to do that. So I am looking for a camera and all the stuff I need to take quality pictures. Also, I am kind of on a budget so I can't just but a thousand dollar camera, so I prefer cheaper but still good. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to know. Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
Super Dave has an excellent thread for the Canon A720, an older camera which has had very good results...I use a newer camera, but the basics of figuring it out takes a while but yield pleasing results...There's no buy a camera and it does it for you.. you have to work it out with what you have..and there are many threads, which go over the top of most but really explain what is happening in the camera.. and many threads which point the way of the basics of Macro photography for coins...There all on this page or the previous one...good luck...it does take some time and a scanner just won't do...
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New Member
 United States
11 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
 bradarv90 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
a few of the things I would look for in any camera is a manual mode that will allow you to set the white balance and a good macro mode. Once you have these things you can usually get some pretty good shots with the camera even if it isn't allot of MP's. The camera I used for years was a 3.2MP JVC and if you have seen any of my pictures on this site other than the past 4 months it would have been taken with this camera. The JVC I used I paid like 25 bucks for about 10 years ago but they are getting a little harder to find but if you are in no real big hurry you can look on ebay for a JVC GC-QX3HD or GC-QX5HD (Mine is a 3HD, but both are just about the same camera, with just a few more options on the 5HD that are not needed) but I am sure others will probably have some other options of cameras they have had some good success with also that will not break the bank |
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
a good photo editing site will help to restore some tone or colors that might wash away in a photo.
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Has anyone tryed the TOY MICROSCOPE used for the computer, sold a SMITHSONIAN Learning toy in some of the Malls, a similar item sold at radio shack. Would be intersted in knowing if anyone has tryed these as a Cheap Alternative for a CAMERA SET UP.
The Toy attaches to Computer and or TV and Displys what is placed under the MICROSCOPE LENS. This Just may be a Low Cost solution to Photgraphing Coins ?
I don't know how the resolution is on the immages so if anyone has Children and or Grandchildren and would like to Test this Item then if it works the Children will have to fight to use it and if it don't then it won't go to complete waste.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5862 Posts |
I think it depends on how much detail you really need. Today's digital cameras have an amazing number of megapixels when it comes to resolution (I just saw some with 14 megapixels for under $100), and most people don't need anything close to that unless you plan to make poster-sized enlargements. If you do decide to use a digital camera, though, the key is to provide a LOT of light. Right now, I have an ultra-cheap setup consisting of an Nikon "Coolpix" digital camera with 8 megapixels and a built-in macro lens. Then, I have two clip-on lamps with 100 watt bulbs for lighting that I can position on either side of my photography area. If I'm worried about glare, I use a plastic gallon milk jug which I've cut in half horizontally to cover the item being photographed (I then photograph through the hole at the top). Here's what it looks like:  Total cost was about $89 for the camera, $19.98 for the two lamps, and nothing for the milk jug (pulled it out of the recycling bin). It doesn't sound like much, but here is a picture I just took:  Edited by barryg
09/10/2011 4:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1205 Posts |
wow--great info--thanks to all who posted!
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
I may have to give your defuser(milk jug) method a try.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
594 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
I have a USB microscope, but I could not get the focus consistently right. So, I bought a digital camera that takes macro images.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
I have been, much like you traveling down the "cheap road" to find a camera to take good coin pictures.....I have a 2004 power shot pro1 8MP , which in the past I just couldn't get the quality good pictures I was was seeking.... SO I upgraded to a newer point and shoot camera, the canon A3100IS, a 2009 product, and I thought the newer 10 year advancement of technology would get me there.....however its not so...These new point and shoot camera's are even better for overall performance and can take some "nice" Macro shots...
After reviewing the fundamentals........of Coin photography
and months of trying all different techniques...I came to find my "OLD 2004" canon gets the color and detail much better than my point and shoot camera .
IT's the "GLASS" or lens that makes the difference.....and the knowledge of
"how to use your camera to get it to work for you"....
is the difference. no matter what camera you have.....
There are many threads here that take you from the begining and and where to go from there........
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Valued Member
United States
187 Posts |
WOW Ken,great pics.What is the learnig curve like with one of those?A lot of work into getting pics like those,or is it usable out of the box?
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Valued Member
United States
313 Posts |
KenRingold-I have one of them and not having luck taking pics like that what are some of the tricks? Lighting?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
594 Posts |
Quote:
WOW Ken,great pics.What is the learning curve like with one of those?A lot of work into getting pics like those,or is it usable out of the box? It's pretty easy to use. After you install the software it's pretty much point and focus. The hard part is keeping it still while you are doing it. With practice it's not too hard. Quote:
I have one of them and not having luck taking pics like that what are some of the tricks? Lighting? Getting the right lighting can be hard. I have used a combination of daylight and fluorescent and what I find harder is remembering my lighting setup! |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 4,056 |
Posted 08/15/2011 03:24 am
