ok guys, being that i usually buy things on a wime,and i am getting a bug for a camera, i need some advise on which digital camera to buy,so i dont wind up in best buy not knowing anything. could anyone tell me what features are important, mpxls,lenses,etc to photograph coins.i dont want to get into stands but i have a good tripod.want to spend about $300. what cameras do you all use? thanks for the help guys.
If you go to this site there is detailed descriptions on every technical detail for you. You will learn before you buy!! Try it... RickieB
before we can tell you what features are important, we need to know what you'll be taking pictures of!
I am far from an expert, but have been looking myself, but have learned enough to say you should not exclude the Canon A560 or A630. They both have extremely small delay for auto focus (button to snap time) and have 4X lenses. They are both recommended by http://www.steves-digicams.com/. You might find that site very useful.
I would think that a 'macro' mode and several good lights and a mini tripod should do the trick better than too pricey of a camera. Some of the folks here take awesome pics and there are several related threads on the subject. I'd like to have a stereo microscope with a trinocular port and a high resolution CCD camera that connects directly to the computer. Good luck and have fun!
That is true for sure. BHP is the largest photo supplier you will find. Order their catalog. You'll be shocked that it is like a large city phone book. Great information on cameras. Now my opinion. Here are some things to consider and exactly what are your plans for the usage of the camera. For one thing if you are not a professional or not good at playing around with additives for a camera, make sure you buy one that does not require changing lenses. Next make sure any camera you buy has a removable memory card and not just a built in memory. The reason is if the camera fails you will still have the photos you just took, greater capacity of photos, no need for computer connecting cables. The type of memory card is important. Many card readers are fairly universal and many new computers come with multiple card type readers. However, some can only read the more common ones. If you look for that feature you will notice the SD and Compact Flash cards are the most common. Some cameras come with a proprietary type card. This means for additional cards you pay a fortune and only if available. Stick with SD or Compact Flash. Battery types also are important if your not a camera person. Again, some are proprietary and only work with thier batteries. Sony and Cannon are famous for that. Some of thier batteries are in teh $50 range. Get a camera that uses normal AA or AAA batteries. Your camera should have a tripod connection on the bottom, approximately 3X or better zoom, Macro features, minimum of 4 megapixels of photo size. Possibly ability to reduce photo size if desired. As to a flash. Most cameras today come with a built in flash. If it goes out, your camera is now almost useless in many situations. Not easy or cheap but if the camera has a hot shoe for additional flash units would be better. However, the built in flashes today usually outlast the cameras. Many cameras have so many features you would have to spend the rest of your life figuring them out. Again, sit down and study what you may want but mainly what you need.
Thought I'd throw in that I have a Fuji S7000, S9000, Sony Mavica FD7 and FD88, Cannon S410, and a DXG what ever that is. Naturally I wouldn't list about 20 film cameras. The Sony's take proprietary batteries that cost about $35 each but I picked up extras at the flea markets for $10. The Canon also has a proprietary rechargable battery and I have no back up for that. The Fuji's and DXG take AA standard batteries. My favorite is the Fuji S7000. Holds two memory cards. One Compact Flash of 2 gig capacity and a stupid XD card which is not the most common but has 512 MB capacity. It goes up to 12 Megapixels but I leave it set at 6.3 or 3.1 most of the time. At 6.3 I can take a few thousand photos with out changing cards. One more thing about a camera is the outer lens. Check if it has a threaded ring for additional filters. If so you can have a ball with some trick lenses and/or filters. For example I have some that split the images into 2, 3, 5 and put together make a real pile of images. A filter ring size of 49, 52, 55 are very standard for filters.
I use a Sony CyberShot DSC-H2 digital camera. I'm still learning how to take good pics of coins, it takes beautiful photos otherwise. Coins have always been a tricky subject to photograph but once you learn the right combination of light and camera settings you can be very good at it.
Here is a trick. Try taking the photos outdoors, on a bright day, not in direct sunlight though. You'll find that most digital cameras work best with high lighting availability. Place a coin on a bar-b-que, black one, not a one being used for cooking presently of course. Hold your camera over the coin, take a breath, take the photos. Always take a breath when shooting photos. When you breath your chest expands and contracts. Your arms are usually close to your body while taking photos. When your chest moves, your arms move, the camera moves.
Since you have not posted a response, I assume you are still looking. Again, I suggest you look at http://www.steves-digicams.com/. You can compare all the suggestions there and make up your own mind.
One more thing about the purchasing of cameras. Not sure if any in your area but just like coin shows, there are camera shows. Around here in the Chicago area there are shows for coins, guns, knives, cameras, computers, etc. If you have access to a camera show, the people there are basically professionals. Even if you do not purchase a camera there, you can ask, ask, ask questions with people that really know what they are talking about. Most of the camera shows I've been to I find the sellers appear they would rather talk about cameras than sell them. Must be in the photographers blood to show off photographic knowledge.
Thanks thanks for the help guys. i can now go to best buy and not have to rely on know it all salesman thanks again
I just posted a few pics tonight.. the camera I use is a Nikon D2x you can get them at Band H Photo,, the link I sent ya... Good shooting.. RickieB
And don't be taken in with those "this camera comes with a carrying strap, bag, computer cable, computer program, and even batteries. For one thing the batteries are almost or are dead. You'll never use a camera strap unless your a tourist. The computer cables you may have or can find anywhere. Many programs for photos are downloadable free. If you buy a camera that uses a Compact Flash card and you buy an extra card, they come with a program called "Corel Photo Album 6". I have a stack of those. I've heard Picasa is great and it too is free. Don't be taken in by "note this camera has a black body. All professionals use those". So what. Check out all features first. Good luck.
