What kind of camera do you use?

This thread might clear up some of the issues with some peoples pictures vs. others.

I use a handheld Sony FD91 which use's one of those big 3.5" floppy disks. I have a lamp with a 100 watt bulb and a yellowish colored lamp shade (I usually keep on my head) along with white bondpaper to set the coin on. I still don't know how to get the right color balance or white tone straight and your usually lucky if you can read the date, LOL

Bone

edited for spelling

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Kodak Easyshare CX7340

I use the built in macro setting and a tripod. I work in a room with flourescent lighting (not recommended for viewing coins) so my light is diffused enough that I don't have to do anything special lighting-wise. I use a black background and a small tripod to eliminate camera wiggle. Finally, I use the delay feature on my camera to completely eliminate any camera-wiggle from me pushing the button.

About half of my photos are good enough to keep/use, the other half get deleted (dang, I love digital photography).

 

The only real advantage of a Sony FD91 is that they have a genuine manual setting that allows you to have a manual macro mode but unforutnately the resolution does hurt a bit. I honestly think the 100w is an overkill, try to reduce it to a 60w or better still a blue colored bulb if possible. And when that fails, try to take your photos under natural lighting, i.e. when the sun is out

 

Nikon D-100 with either a 60mm Micro or 105 mm micro lens (for coins) carbon fibre tripod (Gitzo) with Kirk BH-3 ball head...baclgrounds vary..use custom white balance depending on light used...

RickieB

 

We use the Sony Mavica FD73...an older model that I bought about 7 years ago. It's been quite a workhorse. In fact when one of my employees dropped it recently I realized we really should have a backup, so I bought a slightly used one on ebay. Now we have two and they both get used practically every day.
These cameras are great for coins and work well for ebay users.
A practiced hand can take awesome pics. It's all about the lighting. I don't use a light just for photos...I just use the store lights. If the object is big enough (not a coin) you can back away, zoom in and use the flash...using the zoom avoids most glare from the flash and usually the photo won't have to be cropped later, since the object fills the pic.
Hope this helps.
Nick

 

I have a pretty nice digital camera, but I've gotten the best results from putting my coins right on my scanner. I think they are excellent scans and its much easier than trying to adjust light, distance, etc.

The only reason I ever need a photo of coin is to post it online. You may have other needs.

 

I use a Nikon Coolpix 4300. All in all, I am rather happy with it for coin pics. Only problem is that I can't blame the camera any more when I take bad shots.

 

I have a Minolta Z2 which was purchased more for its' big zoom (for use at Nascar races) than its' macro capability. However, it's not too bad at that, either:





I have a small, very well-lit bathroom, filled with compact fluorescents, which serves as my studio. The camera's on a small tripod, directly above the coin which is on a black t-shirt. All I adjust at the camera is white balance; everything else happens in Photoshop if there are specks to remove or something. Still don't quite have the light angle I want on the eagle's chest, though. I'll get there.

 

Sony FD88 and Fuji S7000

Not even sure how to add replies or post yet. I'm new here. But here goes anyway. If your using a Sony FD series I suggest you try the outdoors for the best quality. Not necessarily in direct sunlight but duringa day when the sun is out. I've used the FD 7 in the past but now wouldn't get rid of my 88 unless it just dies. I've shot almost 10,000 photos with that 88 and have had some great photos. It's not the smallest, easiest to handle, highest quality or lagest capacity camera in the world, but has paid for itself many times over. Just use it outdoors and the colors, clarity, etc will be rewarding.
I've also got a Fuji S7000 that holds both an HD and compact flash cards at the same time giving me well over 1,000 shots at the lowest settings and well over 600 at the highest setting using one 512 card and the HD is 256.

 

I got a Fuji 510-E but I still don't know ***** about taking pic's.
ps Nice pic's SuperDave!

 

"*****", never heard that one before.

 

Rickie, we have similar taste in setup:

I have a D100 with 60mm Micro and 70-200 VR w/Canon 500D closeup lens. I have a Gitzo too with a Markins M10. I use a custom white balance using a grey card and use reveal bulbs almost exclusively.

 

Nice shot!...Keep up the good work!! I plan on doing some with my close up lenses (1,2 and 3) as well..nice die cracks !!
My lense arsenal consists of the following all Nikor;

16 mm fisheye
28mm PC Shift
35-70 mm f2.8
18-70mm f3.5 DX
12-24mm f 3.5 DX
60mm f2.8
85 mm f2.5
105 mm f 2.8
80-200 f 2.8
300mm f 4

D-100
F-5


RickieB

Maybe we should start a photo service for collectors??

 

Beautiful shots, Leadfoot. I'm going to give those Reveals a try - you're getting great color.

 

I use a Nikon Coolpix 5700. For lighting, two clip lamps with 40-watt Reveal bulbs (One as the main light, the second as a fill). Camera is mounted on a tripod (just a cheap one I picked up at Wal-Mart). Typically I use a slow shutter speed, this was taken at 1 sec, F7.8. Also I use Nikon's raw image format. I used to have a Coolpix 4300, it did great, until someone at work dropped it and damaged the lenses.

 

Thank you. Honestly the key to good color is not necessarily good lighting, although it helps. The key is using a custom white balance and a grey card. If your camera supports this it will result in much more accurate color.

Hope this helps...Mike

 

This was taken by a handheld Minolta Dimage 7.

 

I use a canon S3IS which is about the best point and shoot for macro photography. What i like about it though, is that it has interchangible len's, which is a first for point & shoots.

 

Great pics... I'll be glad when I can get mine to come out as well.