What Camera do you Use to take those Clear Crisp Images of your Coins?

What camera do you all think I should buy to take precise and crisp images of my coins for ebay?

 

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A simple one with Macro.

 

I have a Nikon Coolpix 3100 and I don't like it..

I am ready to upgrade..

How's that Canon Rebel?

Or should I stick with Nikon?

bnb

 

I am currently using a Canon PowerShot 520A but it's a couple yrs old. It still gives good enough pics if I use the 4x and a magnifying glass.

 

Just got this http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Canon-EOS-D...al_Cameras?hash=item4a9d71d60e#ht_8625wt_1165

 

Depends. From most of the photos on ebay, you could use almost anything including one of those throw away cameras. Many of the ones on ebay look like done after a day of sitting in a bar with a few Martinis.
I used to use a variety of cameras back when there was that stuff called film. After lugging around a Cannon A1, AE1, AE1 program, Ricoh's, Pentaxes, etc. I found with todays technology most modern digital cameras are much better, lighter, less batteries, easier to use.
I know use a Mavica 7, Mavica 88, DXG5, Canon S410,Samsun L73, Fuji S7000 and S9000.

 

I use a Nikon CoolPix 4800, all the photos on my site are done with it. I messed up and for a while used some of those horrible newfangled iridescent fluorescent evanescent putrescent whatever-they-call-em bulbs, the ones with the curlicues, bad mistake, all the coins looked green. I still have to replace some of those photos ... I went back to normal bulbs. But the photo sharpness I'm quite pleased with ... Good luck!

 

My daughter has an EOS rebel and absolutely loves it, but she cannot take pictures of coins nor can you with what you have now. You still need to buy a macro lens.

 

Whatever type light you use, the camera must be set to receive that balance. Some cheaper cameras have little or no control in this area so they only work well in natural light but if you have a better camera that allows setting a manual white balance or (better still) shooting RAW files you will find the compact fluorescent bulbs work quite well. We are back to the earlier statement that it is not the equipment as much as how you use it.

From your posts, I see you do not believe what more than one person said about it being how you use the camera more than which camera you own so you may be disappointed with any new camera that does not perform miracles with no user input. The camera, Nikon or Canon (or several other DSLR makers) is a tool with a lot of controls that will allow it to do what you tell it to do - no more. For coins, I'd suggest buying a set of fully automatic (Kenko) extension tubes so you can fill the frame with smaller coins and always shoot at the longer end of the focal range of the zoom (55mm is standard but if you got a longer lens it would be easier since you will be farther from the coin when shooting. You also need a sturdy tripod or copy stand since hand held coin photos are usually second rate at best. Most of us use artificial light but it is quite possible to shoot using diffused daylight coming in a window so you can decide what light fits your personality best.

This shows three light set ups and an older model Canon DSLR with a 100mm macro lens:


All three use my 1960's vintage Durst enlarger frame reworked into a copy stand. Obviously you can support the camera many ways using home made or commercial equipment including any standard tripod that can be set to shoot down. What differs is the lighting.

Left: Fluorescent ringlight - coin supported on dowel over black background in refrigerator drawer which reflects some light onto edges of coin. Smaller dowel in foreground is used for tiny coins. This light has a 'strange' color balance so you will have to use the manual setting (see instruction book that comes with the camera) or shoot RAW. This is the top coin in each sample.

Center: Compact fluorescents can be slid (near, far, left, right)and tilted as needed for best results. Two in a small movie bar are shown but one can be used. Aluminum foil shown in drawer can be used if additional edge light is desired. Diffusers or reflectors may be added to lights as desired but two bare tubes usually provide a broad light source as desired. You can buy slightly more expensive bulbs which offer a daylight color balance or set the camera manually to match the cheap ones. This is the middle coin in each sample.


Right: Camera is set up near a bright but not directly sunny window for natural light. The can around the dowel coin support shadows the black background making it blacker. A wired remote release helps cut down on camera shake and wireless remotes are even better if you have one. The copy stand is mounted on lazy-susan allowing rotation in the light to change angle as desired. This is important since this light is rather strongly directional and a big difference can be seen as you rotate. It is easier to rotate the whole thing and see what you will get than it is to move the window and sun to suit. This is the bottom coin in each sample.


Below are two sets of three shots of coins shot in each of the three rigs shown above. One is as dark as any bronze you may find; the other is lighter



Note that I do not show a flash set up. The problem with flash is that you can not see what you will get until after you shoot and a lot of coin photography is placing the glares where they do the most good or least bad. This is not exactly the same for every coin. Not everyone will agree on which is best for an given coin.

Good luck with the new camera.

 

You do not NEED to buy a macro lens for coins. Just get a "nifty fifty". They take excellent macro photos and cost about $400 less than "macro" glass.

Whether shooting coins landscapes or coins...everyone should have a nifty fifty in their quiver. It is the best $100 anyone can spend on any slr accoutrement. Used ones can be had in $50-$70 range. IMO, they perform better than the $269 Normal EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Autofocus Lens as neither are true 1:1 macro.

50mm "Macro" examples:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=nifty+fifty+macro+&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0

Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II USA
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

 

Here is a DIY reverse macro lens if you are feeling froggy.

http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_reverse_macro_ring

 

Also, on top of all the good advice already given in this thread I would say go to your local camera/photo shop and sign up for a basic/novice slr class. Most offer these small classes for $50-$100 and are another great investment, next to the nifty fifty, when you consider that you will probably have $1k+ wrapped in your new camera/glass before you even get a shot off.

 

Neat work if you can hack it!
ThanX CBD~I'ld forgotten how to do that.

 

Where do you buy one for that camera??

 

eBay, Canon, or any good camera store either brick and mortar or internet. Like I said, my daughter has it, not I. I have a cheapy point and shoot.

 

Can you show me what I should buy? I'd like to get one so I can have it as soon as my new Rebel arrives.

 

You can get a Canon 100mm f/2.8 or if the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS.
or a 180mm f/3.5 L...

There are other options of course, but for the price, these are good. The first one would do you just fine.

 

A little cheaper I just bought this Rebel for $500 and my Nikon Cool pix 3100 has a macro feature. I really don't want to be spending thousands

 

ummm . . . newbie alert . . . what's a nifty fifty? (is that just slang for a generic 50mm lens?)

 

Canon doesn't make cheaper macro lenses.