I love the Canons, I have two, but the old SD700IS is better for coins than my newer SD880IS. The 700IS allows me to use optical zoom in macro mode.....a feature I find indispensable:
I have the Canon PowerShot Pro 1. It's okay for full view shots of coins, but it's super macro mode and zoom are only so-so for close-ups. All around, it's a great camera for outdooor landscapes and scenic vistas. But when it comes to close-ups, I use my Pac-Sci Stereomicroscope with zoom and camera attachment. Chris
That Mavica is still a winner with a lot of folks...I know two eBay power sellers who list hundreds of items weekly, both using them. Each of these fellows have several backups available when one of 'em doesn't work. These guys are satisfied, and won't even discuss changing to a more modern camera. I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2, and find it just fine for macro work. I agree with the caution about lighting...it is all-important.
After this comment Louie, I thought I'd show you the end picture after I was done messing around with it. I'll probably get my wrist slapped for this, sorry for being OT. I'll stop after this. Just after changing the levels a bit, and cropping it using thirds more effectively.
Snaz, you did a killer job and really turned that photo out. I could only hope to be a quarter as skilled as you when it comes to photo software; nice work :thumb: I have Paint Shop Pro X2, and don't know how to use it. I'm going to buy a book to help me use it to its potential. How did you become so good; did you get a book, take a class, have a friend show you, or did you just tinker around with it? -LTB
The problem asking that question is it's sort of like asking who should I marry, what car should I buy, What city should I live in, etc. Everyone will suggest the camera they use, not necessarily the best for the price range you may be looking for. Also, many use cameras that are excessively large by todays standards and become bulky for lugging around compared to the point and shoot variety. Cannon is really popular but mostly due to advertisements. Nicon doesn't do that much advertising so their popularity has dropped somewhat. If you go to the average electronics place you will see a really large variety of cameras and some are just as good or better than the more popular ones. Myself I presently use a Sony Mavica 88, Fuji S7000, Fuji S9000, Cannon S410, Sanyo VPC-S880 and a Samsung L73. All are really OK but for taking along to parties, events, etc., even the Fuji's are to bulky. Remember the if your only going to have one camera, make it one to take everywhere and for taking photos of coins. Of course you could look into a Hasselblad H3D11-31. Just can't beat that 31 Megapixel quality. And most lenses for that camera are under $4,000.00 :rolling:
I use an old Sony DSCF828 these can be had on eBay for around $300 if you are patient.. Old model but still takes good pics even if its not a DSLR
I disagree with almost everything posted on this question. I do use and believe in DSLR's and macro lenses but the difference they bring to the process is minor compared to the lighting used and the ability of the photographer to look at a coin and decide what needs to be done to bring out truth and beauty. Since many people reading this will want to shoot coins inside plastic holders, even the advantage of macro lenses will go away. If we were comparing 20x30" prints we might see more differences but proper lighting and exposure will make more difference than equipment as long as it has a full range of available adjustments allowing the photographer to control the process.
The topic of this post was “Best Camera” He did not ask about lighting , anyone who photographs their coins should know that lighting is most important. I have a very good point and shoot (CanonSX10IS) , it gets me fantastic pictures however all other things being equal it would not come close to a DSLR with a high end Macro Lens. With a point and shoot even in macro mode you have to get closer to the coin and will lose lighting , with a nice macro lens you can still zoom in properly from a distance of more then 6 inches and allow more lighting on the coin. With a point and shoot you are relying on the cameras zoom function , with a macro lens you are relying more on the lens.
You must not read many posts. As usual as they go on and on and on, the original post gets completely lost and forgotten. I'm only surprized that the camera stands, lighting stands, camera carrying cases, type of batteries in your camera too and Mother's maiden name and shoe size haven't been covered yet. In a similar post some time back someone asked for a possible camera for about $100 and the post ended up with suggestions for mostly Cannons for about $500+ with special lenses. Which is why I comically threw in the hasselblad H3D11-31. Just can't beat a really heavy, expensive, bulky camera to take to a party. :goofer: I'll just stick to that Kodac Brownie.
To Mark T and those who agree with him: The point was that there is no "best camera" since the limiting factor on quality is rarely the camera. Your Avatar shows you like slabs and the plastic you shoot through will offfset the quality you gain with an upgrade. Unless you are planning on making a very large print, many owners of a point and shoot would be better off shooting from six inches away and taking advantage of the the lighting freedom that allows. For selling online and posting to this site in reduced size most newer cameras are oversize in terms of megapixels. You would lose quality when cropping but not as much as you lose by having the lens an inch from the coin. There are point and shoots that allow macro at both the telephoto and wide ends of the zoom. The last one I owned was a Minolta D7i. It is a feature worth seeking out if for some reason you insist on not owning a DSLR. I'll change my statement: The "best" camera is one that the owner can and will take the effort to learn to use if necessary working around its shortcomings. Too many people buy a new camera thinking it is some sort of magic solution to all their photo ails. They then blaim Canon or Nikon for problems that are much closer to home. Buy what fits. Original Canon Digital Rebel, 100mm Canon macro: Reduced to this size, I do not see where it would be improved by using a 1Ds mkIII but I do notice that this file looks better on pBase than here on Coin Talk because of the file resize routine imposed here. Compare: http://www.pbase.com/dougsmit/image/108291601
