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 Replies: 19 / Views: 2,824 |
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
I'm very new at coin photography and I'm struggling.I started playing with different camera's in a retail store. I put a Roosevelt dime on the counter just to get a rough idea about the different functions and picture quality.The only way I could get the coin to come into focus was to zoom the lens at a distance from the coin coin other wise in was blurry.Tried 6 different camera's so the problem must me. HELP! |
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
you should look for a camera that takes macro images. I recently bought one at Fry's electronics, and I am very pleased.
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Valued Member
 United States
118 Posts |
I had the camera's on macro images. That's why couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong.
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
There may have been a setting on the camera for selecting macro. On my camera, I can select it manually or currently have it set for auto. The camera automatically adjusts from macro, portrait, or landscape images. That's the limit of my camera/macro expertise. Hopefully someone else will be along with other information
Edited by Fuzzy317
09/05/2011 10:36 am
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
If you don't mind telling me what type of camera did you get and are you photographing particular coin types? Thanks
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
If you don't mind telling me what type of camera did you get and are you photographing particular coin types? Thanks
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
I have a Canon PowerShot A800. Its just a point and shoot camera that takes macro images. I was trying to use a usb microscope but could never get the focus great. So I opted for an auto-focus camera.
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
I made the same mistake with the usb microscope. Its ok but but doesn't get the job done.I looked at some of your photo's tell me are you using a copy stand and how far are you from the coin? Thanks
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
What type of bulbs are you using? Any issues with the copy stand you picked? Thanks
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
I am using 40watt incandescent bulbs. No issues, I just need to use it more to find what works and what doesn't. Here are my latest pictures. I still need to work on lighting.   |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Differing cameras have differing distances at which they're capable of focus. Keep in mind, the zoom artificially changes the distance that the camera "thinks" the lens is from the subject, so it's subject to the same minimum-distance limitations.
Handholding a point-and-shoot over a coin and expecting focus is an iffy proposition. Even slight movement is quite capable of defeating the camera's autofocus function, and that will again vary by camera.
So, it's back to the cardinal rules of coin photography: Securely-mounted camera. Parallel coin and lens plane. Timed or remote shutter. Strong preference for manual shooting adjustments.
As long as the camera has a manual white balance setting, the type of bulb is only relevant in the pattern of light which it throws. It's far easier to use smaller bulbs which can be closer to the camera for direct lighting to show luster, and then diffused later with some easily-rigged diffusion system.
None of this is "automatic," and the smaller/cheaper the camera, the more effort required by the photographer to achieve acceptable results. With that said, this forum is full of success stories created by people who barely knew what button activated the shutter to begin with, using inexpensive cameras.
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
That's not bad at all! Only to much reflective light that interferes with detail.And I looked up your camera on the canon website as well and that is a reasonably priced camera.What are your basic settings for white balance,ISO,aperture and shutter speed? Or is most of that done for you?
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
think it's white balance on or off, not sure about the other settings
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Valued Member
United States
118 Posts |
And the master of photograph is here! Then based on what you have said how would someone of little experience decide what camera to buy taking into consideration price,experience and ease of use but trying to maintain quality.
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Replies: 19 / Views: 2,824 |
Posted 09/05/2011 10:07 am
