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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,710 |
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Valued Member
344 Posts |
Hi everyone. So I am finally sick of taking pictures of my coins, proofs, jewels or w/e else with my stupid digi cam or my cell phone. I just sold some silver proofs on ebay for 800, which I think would have gotten triple or double if I just could take a decent photo. Frankly now that I think of the hundreds maybe thousands lost on a few coins cause of my bad pictures, well I am kinda mad at myself and have decide its time to get a proper setup. So I figured I would make a setup using one of those digital usb microscopes. Using axial lighting. I would make a setup looking like this picture, but probably using wood as the cameras stand rather then the fancy adjustable metal types. My goal is to take nice quality clear photos to show silver/ gold/ coins brilliance and patinas. I dont need to win awards for best photographer of the year, I just want detailed nice photos. So with that in mind is the usb microscope cams fine? Or are digi cams far superior? Keep in mind I wanna keep costs down to 30-80 bucks (not including the wood, light, and glass). So any suggestions, any advice or thoughts are super appreciated. I think after I get a few I will make a midnight trip to Walmart to buy things for this project :D.  |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
I don't think your going to get much in the way of a usb digital microscope for $30-$80. I have one that cost $60 and it's a pain to use. It gets the point across most of the time but it aggravates me a lot.Expect to pay $120+ for a decent one. John1  |
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Valued Member
 344 Posts |
Would a digi cam be better? I personally dont care which I get. I just care about price and quality.
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Get a Sony Mavica fd83 on ebay. Years out of date, so simple, and it doesn't createhuge images that need lots of work to use. If you decide on something else, don't get red (reflections). |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Only a digital camera will work in a setup such as you illustrate; a USB microscope has a far shorter working distance, and you're not likely to find one which will focus the whole surface of a coin, anyways. They're microscopes. Keeping it under $100 means probably buying used; new cameras at that price point aren't worth much. There is no doubt you can buy something which can be made to work rather nicely for the purpose, but you'll have some learning to do. That's what we're here for.  |
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Valued Member
344 Posts |
Can you recommend some cameras that I MIGHT be able to find for under 100 used? the bigger the list the better chance ill have of actually finding one.
Or perhaps what are the features one needs to work well?
a week ago I spent 200 bucks on a new fuji camera. even with the micro setting it sucked and wouldnt focus up close. So I obviously can use as much help as possible in picking a cam that will work.
On the plus side though I can make a setup like that one pictured easily with wood :D
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5860 Posts |
I posted this in another thread, but I really don't think you need to spend big bucks to take really high quality coin pictures. 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 only 8 megapixels and a built-in macro lens. I then 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:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
Where is the reddish color coming from? I assume that's not on the coin but is a reflection from something?
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Valued Member
344 Posts |
That looks pretty nice Barry. So are you just holding the camera in your hands? then using a slight bit of zoom with the camera roughly 1 foot from the coin?
Please explain how your camera is placed or held and if zooms used.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5860 Posts |
I lean the camera against the top of the milk bottle. I then set the camera to "macro" and zoom in as necessary. The thing I've noticed, though, is that with sufficient light I can even take a decent picture without immobilizing the camera -- the shutter speed is fast enough that even holding it unsupported comes out well.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5860 Posts |
Quote:
Where is the reddish color coming from? The coin has a proof-like finish and I purposely wanted to show off a bit of its reflective qualities. So I didn't cover it with the milk bottle. The reddish color is actually the reflection of my little red Nikon "Coolpix" camera. |
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Valued Member
344 Posts |
Because of you Barry I made an offer to some guy on craigslist with a 14 mp nikon coolpix in the box new :D.if I get it lets hope I can make it work lol
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5860 Posts |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,710 |
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Posted 09/10/2011 07:46 am
