What Cameras do you all use?

Hello all,
I am in search of a good camera so I can post some finds I ran across. The ones I have suck. I see numerous photos of coins on here with excellent detail. Anyone know of a good camera that won't force me to sell my silver stash to get it.

Thank you in advance
Luke a.k.a Auggie

 

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I just use my iPhone 4s, it's works perfectly for my coin photo needs.

 

I use a Canon Power Shot G3, occasionally with a macro lens.

 

Mine is a bit pricey, but I use a Nikon D3100. Images are great though

 

Ive got a fuji finepix s700. Its a few years old but works very well. If youre looking for something thats not too expensive Fuji and Canon are your best choices, just make sure you get one of the cameras that looks like a camera, not like a rectangle.

 

Back in 2006 I got a Canon S3 IS. It's outdated now but it's better than a standard point and shoot, if you use it in manual with a cheap macro lens. You could probably find them for sale cheap now. Here's one on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-Power...230229?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item460166e115

I've used that camera for years with a macro lens attachment. Here's a few I've taken with it:










I just bought a Canon Rebel T3i which is much nicer, but the lens I really need costs more than the camera. It will be a while before I get one. This is a much nicer camera.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5169B003-18...954227?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item20c2d8fe33

That price is high. I found a new one on ebay last year for $720 shipped. Plus got a lot of ebay bucks back. That was $25 cheaper than what Target was still selling the T2i for. They didn't even have the T3i's yet. There's deals on ebay if you take the time to find them.

 

First before I describe and show you my patchwork setup let me offer you some advice. If your going to be using your camera mostly for coin shots it should have these features:
A connection for an AC adapter-- this will save you many $$ in batteries.
Macro Mode capability. Decent zoom capability (20x plus).
Image Stabilization. Self timer function.
Ability to either add a Macro Lens or use an adapter for a Macro Lens. This is because no matter what the camera company tells you about how you can zoom in on tiny objects like insects and coins, it doesn't tell you that the closer you get for more detail the more difficult lighting becomes. What good does it do you if your in Macro Mode trying to get
a picture of the 'FG' initials on a cent when your 2 cm away. Try getting good lighting at that distance. The add on Macro Lens or Adapter with Macro Lens keeps focus distances very reasonable. Proper lighting takes experience that's all.

So what I have for equipment is: A Nikon L120 Coolpix because it can use an AC Adapter, Macro Mode, high zoom capability.
Since the L120 is not an SLR, there is no capability for an add on Macro Lens. BUT since I had experience using my son's
Canon Powershot S3 I made sure the 58mm lens adapter Igot for his camera fit the L120. I use a Ranox M-250 Macro Lens. I also use a variable height copy stand (12" to 18").
Well pictures tell it all:

My cost me about $325 total.

 

Canon XTi, 60 mm Canon Macro lens, & copy stand. A remote/cable shutter release is really optimum - you don't want the camera jigging by manually pressing the shutter button. Take several shots, possibly adjust the angle of the light source (if possible), and work on the best shot with post processing software if you have any. Don't overdue any post processing or it can make it look worse.

 

Nikon D5100 but I don't use my camera for coins, I take pictures of many other things that are far more interesting.

 

Well, since I use my camera for other things (dance photography, which is probably one of the most difficult situations to put a camera in due to the fast motion and low light situations) I had to spend a bit more on my setup. I'm using a Nikon D7000 with a Tokina 100mm f 2.8 lens. I have it mounted to a copy stand I picked up at the University Surplus (donated by the Art Department) that allows me to keep the camera directly overhead. I am still working around the lighting setup (the most important part) to see what works best...but I have options. I use a piece of hobby foam from Hobby Lobby/Michaels that costs $1.00 per sheet - gives the coin a decently clean background. Plus, if it gets ruined...I have cheap backups.

Here are some examples I have taken with it (resolution is lower to accommodate the needs of CoinTalk...I have much larger files on my HD):




You want your camera level and stable, you want good lighting, and a clean background (the second photo was taken on a different surface, if you didn't notice.)

 

T2i with a Tamron 272E Lens.

Cost me about $800 total.

 

Nikon D300 and Nikkor 200mm Micro.

To buy one might require the OP to sell his silver stash, however.

 

I have an Olympus C-5060. These are available only in the secondary market.

 

Are any of your current cameras equipped with a macro function? If so, then you may want to experiment further with a camera you already have. You can do great work with a cheap camera & GOOD photographic techniques.

The list of camera features from zekeguzz is good. If the camera is going to be used for activities other than coins, then you may want a general purpose Canon PowerShot SD1300IS which is small enough to fit in your pocket. It has a macro mode & also a decent zoom but doesn't allow exchanging optics. Here is an example of a quick point & shoot using the Canon PowerShot on my office desk with normal office florescent ceiling lighting. I simply set the camera for florescent lighting & the resulting photo color is spot-on.

 

To add to my the first reply on here, below is a Iphone 4s camera photo.

 

I'd suggest spending a few dollars on a book or two on coin photography, such as Numismatic Photography, 2nd edition by Mark Goodman. Getting that knowledge will help you make good equipment selections.


You asked specifically about equipment, I use a Nikon D5100 with either the 105 mm or 60 mm Nikkor Micro lens. For lighting I use two Jansco LED lamps, and occasionally two OTT lights. Post processing is done via PhotoScape which is a free download.

Here is a sample pic taken recently using the above equipment.

 

Here is my setup. I use a Canon 40D Body and a 100mm Canon macro lens usually. I also have a sigma 80mm macro lens that I occasionally use. I also have the Canon lens that came with the body that I use for full slab shots. I use 2 sunlight lamps and edit in Photoshop CS5.1.

Here is my setup.


And here is the result after cropping and a slight color adjustment.

 

I have a $200-300 DSLR.

However, my Samsung Fascinate phone does a better job taking close-ups. So that's what I use.

 

With DSLR's and other SLR's, it really boils down to the lenses, not the body. That's why you can buy a $200-$300 DSLR but spend $1000 or more on the better lenses.