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

I messed up when I first started working on images to post.
It's a good idea to always save the original just like it came off the camera.
Edit a copy of the image or do a save as but don't change the original image.
That high res original can be really handy if you need to zoom in on something later. Just something I learned the hard way.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

oh and BTW, I am using a Nikon D3000 that my wife got for her birthday. I don't know much about cameras but this one was a nice entry level model

 

sound advice, ldhair

 

Elementary question (from somone who's last "nice" camera was before they made digital ones) -- is something like a D3000 one where (like in the old days) you could purchase lens attachments (such as a macro lens), or easy swap out lenses (if you wanted to insert a telephoto lens, etc.) ?

 

yes, it's a Single Lens Reflex camera (like the old 35mms) only digital. You can change lenses and use attachments just like the old days

 

Just a suggestion: The lights you bought were intended to provide flat and even lighting on flat subjects (like books). To make the most of the relief on your coins, try adjusting the lights up, down and by using only one or two of the bulbs. Shoot the same coin a dozen different ways and you may just find one that makes the rest look poor in comparison. I rarely find a coin that can photograph best using four equally spaced lamps.

 

Just like the old days? Dang. I used to put extension tubes on my pentax MX, have the film developed, and then scan the coin photo to my computer. I sure hated getting rid of those 35 mm cameras. Sold three of them with all the lens you could imagine for nothing. Hung on to one old Vivitar for memories.

 

Guys I'm so exciting I got this camera+equipment so now I can take some real quality high res pics!! bnb

 

If I could, I'd buy everyone on this forum the same setup I just bought. I really want everyone to have equal the fun with me

bnb

 

We look forward to seeing your first pix! (As well as an explanation of how you did it)

 

BTW Shoot in RAW, makes PP much better since you are capturing much more.

 

I will.

/Just wiped a tear from the right eye after realizing it took me so much struggle, dedication, and hard work to get to the point in which I'm at. Buying high end camera's, learning how to take professional coin photos, getting offers to work for dealers, buying some of the nicest coins I could ever have dreamed of..

Man... Sorry forum, just a little sentimental at the moment.

Thanks for all your love and support.

bnb

 

Sorry I meant since you are capturing much more information it will allow you to do things such as change the exposure a larger extent without losing detail and or introducing noise. Best bet as always though is shoot it right the first time...

Have fun, it is going to take patience and a lot of practice...and you will discover that a lot of times you have to rig your setup to get what you want (e.g. the toilet paper post before). Even the professionals do it. A good friend of mine does photography for companies like Miller, Four Seasons, and other huge companies.. should see the stuff they come up with sometimes...

 

Get a Nikon D3x with a 105 Micro VR lens with 3x closeup kit.

Will run you about $6500 of that retirement budget. Whoops made a typo..it's more like $8500.00

RickieB

 

Cool, ordering that one right now per your recommendation Mr!

bnb

 

Very true. Every coin is a new adventure trying to catch that image that is most like the coin. Sometimes it's easy and other times you give up for a while and come back at it with a fresh mind. It's all fun.

 

Great.. I have the D3 and the mentioned lens, you will love the D3x and the len's is superb!.
I'll make it easy for you. Here ya go...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productDetail&A=cart&Q=add

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/424744-GREY/Nikon_2160_105mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html


Enjoy..

RickieB

 

Canon Rebel w/ Sigma 105mm macro

 

Canon with a Sigma 150.

 

cripes~

BANG! And we are out of the Gate.

This is gonna be fun. Using RAW takes about a years just to get a handle on, so be sure to let the fellow have some space. I'm waiting for my 3~D setup Real Soon:high5: Not used one since the '50's and now they are BACK!!!