A recent thread on CT got me thinking. Right now I use my wife's digital camera to take what pictures I do take, and they are just average. One guy mentioned one of these $50 cameras specifically designed for close up shots like coins or stamps, but from some of the responses it seems this camera is not able to take a picture of a larger coin like a Morgan. Well, I want the ability to take larger pics and I also want to start off with something, not so expensive until I get better. My dilemma is: 1) Should I look for a camera better able to take coin pictures and probably spend more than $50. If so what are some suggestions? Something less than $100 2) Or how about a copy stand arrangement that I can mount a conventional digital camera on and experiment with that. I would like to further enhance my hobby here, but I want to take a few baby steps first.
The USB scope does have a camera in it. The images are real cheezy with the plastic lens and the poor lighting, wrong color. Been there and done that. Still got my antique USB scope. It my official dust collector. Waiting for one of the grand kids to want it.
I bought mine so time ago. (over 10 years) It would probably be in the $300+ range. Of course their are extras to edit, light and photograph images. But note the power of scope I have posted. It has an infinite zoom. Which means you can get the shot you want instead of having to choose two/three others that may not be what you want.
$300 is a key Lincoln to me right now. I was hoping to do something "walmartish" as this initial stage.
I did a quick check on ebay for something, but $299 was the closest I could find with free shipping. Everything else was higher or iffy whether they would work for you or not. Best to save your $10 bills (You get these less often) and set them aside for your microscope savings and get the right scope the first time. People that have the right one won't part with theirs. Those selling used microscopes got ones that didn't fit their needs. Best to save and then get the one you really want the first time.
Here is one that looks like a dollar store item. LOL http://cgi.ebay.com/Real-power-20X-...462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a3d78586 Can't get much cheaper than that. LOL
I use a 7 year old Sony Cyber-Shot 5 mega pixel camera that my wife got as a graduation gift when she graduated high school... I have upgraded the camera that she uses for everyday uses to a $700 camera that she wont let me use for coins... Basically i use a cheap harbor freight multi purpose lighted magnifying glass... I turn on the led lights and then i use the smaller more magnified section of the magnifying glass and put the opening of the camera right up to the glass and move the coin back and forth until it focuses then i zoom into the desired are and snap the pic. Works pretty good, and it's simple!
