What is a good, affordable camera to use for coin photography? I've been using a Canon PowerShot A2500. It doesn't take great pictures, but they are acceptable, and the camera cost not much over $100, if I remember correctly. They don't sell this camera anymore, though.
I've tried the Microscope route w/o much success. Tried my cellphone (older one). No success. Then I got a Moto G Cellphone with much better results. So, try a good cellphone?
I agree with @SensibleSal66 …. The microscope I tried was pretty close to awful. With some practice and lots of trial and error I get pretty good results from a cell phone, a cheap small ring light, and a pint mason jar.
I started out with a Canon Powershot.....SX something, but it had (still does) macro capability. As long as you have macro you're in the ball park of taking good coin photogs. I'm into DSLR's now but the little point and shoot fellow is always at the ready to take up some slack.......
I take such bad pictures that when I proudly posted my first coin / story (my 1916 SLQ) after years of just reading posts / sitting in the background, I was immediately accused of posting a fake or being an idiot with a 1917 Type 1 no date. While I continue to improve my skills, that first outing burned me pretty good and I'm hesitant to brag on certain coins (even if they are, like my 1916, certified and graded by ANACS, PCGS, ICG or NGC). I just don't need the negativity. That said (sorry for that sourness, it just stirred a bad memory) I learned here about the using a can or stack of books to raise and steady my iPhone over a coin that is placed on a bottle cap. With good lighting, that often works pretty well for me. I think having good eyesight (which I do not) is really the capper to getting good photos.
Not to mention a good eye doctor. My vision is 20/20 with glasses. I have no excuse.... Hey! You're up!! LOL
The question is - what quality and what budget is your target? 1. Buy a Smartphone with a very good Makro lens (iPhone 15 Pro / Max) 2. Buy a electronic Mikroskope (more money, more quality - I make the mistake for long time buy a 80 USD piece - wasn't a good choice) 3. Buy a Camera with exchangeable Lenses and buy a separate Makro Objective
I use my cell phone (Samsung Note 20) along with the free PhotoScape program. I took this one yesterday.
I think "macro capability" is what I'm looking for, the cheapest camera available with macro ability.
We all start out with poor photos. Excitement or whatever to post pictures gets the best of us at times. After taking subpar photos, I took it on as a challenge. How to get decent shots with common items. Lots of decent advice here. Folks can help. So I keep at it. Here’s an inexpensive setup folks might try -
What are you trying to accomplish with your photography, and what's your budget? If you are looking to photograph the entire coin for online display, there are a lot of inexpensive point-and-shoots with macro capability. But if you are looking to make large prints, or use the photographs to look for details such as repunched mint marks or die breaks, then you'll need more specialized (and, alas, expensive) gear. Either way, the most difficult part of coin photography is lighting.
I went to DSLR years ago. It cost a lot. If I had to have something new to image coins, I would go with a nice cell phone. Like any camera, it takes a lot of practice. I'm really impressed with some of the images folks take with cell phones but I wonder if they are editing the images with software on a PC. DSLR is not for everyone but there are some cool features. You can tether it to a PC and view the coin on your monitor in real time as you change the focus and lighting. When you like the image a click of the mouse saves it on your PC.
GALAXY S24: I have this smarphone and depending on how far away I am from the coins....and which light source (Green Banker's light vs. regular LED bulb)....I get different data points on the Details of the photo (i.e., ISO, focal length, etc.)...and the lettering on the coins can be razor sharp (GB light setup) or blurry (the LED setup). If anybody out here has an Android phone or Galaxy specifically and changes settings on one of the modes for coins....would love to hear about it.
The Canon Rebel T series, of which there are many, is popular. I still use a T3. I think T-7 was the latest. But you will need a good stand to hold it and remote shutter switch ($30-$50) or plug it into a laptop and use the software like I do. The lens that comes with it I only use for zoomed out photos of currency. You will want to get a bellows and then you can get any macro lens you want to fit it. These extras aren't that expensive but will allow you to get perfect photos of whatever you want to do. I like using a laptop screen because it's the only way to see if it's in focus in real time. You can't tell on a small camera screen. You will need lighting on the sides too. I don't know what the out of the box option is for what you're looking for.
Here's a few examples of stuff I got and photographed with my T3i last year. Canadian Dollar is a PL.
