Camera for coin photography... Need help!

How can I build a lightbox or where can I buy one? Also, is this a good camera for coins?
http://shop.nikonusa.com/store/nikonusa/en_US/pd/ThemeID.18145600/productID.230054600

 

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I have a Canon ELPH 100HS. Takes great pics for $175.

Remember...it's not the camera, it's the person using it.

You can have a $5,000 DSLR and have terrible looking pictures unless everything is set up right.

Proper lighting, proper angle, proper focus, proper white balance, proper ISO, proper distance, etc.

I am by no means a photography expert, but these look better than 80% of the coin pics on eBay. It's all about set up.

 

Just like coins, you should buy the most expensive camera and lenses you can afford. In the world of DSLR's you get what you pay for. Buy something cheap or inexpensive you will soon out grow it and want something better making your first purchase a total waste of money. Also, shop only at the Nikon or Cannon store, nothing out there better (and IMO Nikon is the better of the two, but the gap has closed to the point that both are pretty close in quality).

 

Why do you want a lightbox?

That camera will be fine, the lens would not be great.

 

Jon, whatever you end up with, don't get a DSLR. Get the best point and shoot your budget allows AFTER you check the spec for "closest Macro focus". Many will shoot at less than an inch. The DSLR has a flipping mirror and shutter that adds nothing but blur. A DSLR Macro lens could cost more than your entire budget. A good tripod is probably more important than the last increment of camera quality. I compose the pic then shoot with a 2 second delay to insure not even my shutter finger is inducing blur. I have never figured out a good system for extra shiny proof coins. They are very difficult. But, just shoot a lot of angles until you get the effect you want. Also, experiment with the white balance setting until you get the color balance correct. If you aren't aware of www.dpreview.com make sure you check all the comments there about whatever models you are contemplating.

 

Thanks Todd for the advice. What lens can I get away with? Also, how should I set it up without a lightbox?

 

This thread has shown that we all have opinions. Mine are on my page:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/coinphoto2011ez.html

Remember it is not the price of the stand or the camera but whether they are solid and used correctly. I agree that dSLR's are the best way to go but simpler cameras fit more people's willingness to learn so they may give better results. I challenge anyone to show a stand more solid than you can make out of a couple dollars worth of lumber. My current main stand is 2x4" frame but I have a lighter one for travel use. Spend all you want but learn to use what you buy.

 

With a DSLR I recommend a 90MM macro at a minimum. Just use the light, no lightbox. Shoot in a darker room. We all have looks we like, I don't like the look a lightbox gives. you had to play some and get your own look.

 

Your word is gold. Thanks.

 

Todd: A canon lens like this can be used with the nikon I posted right?
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Lens-Cameras/dp/B00004XOM3

 

looks like someone brought up my thread from a while back ago .. anyways i did end up getting at point and shoot that one of the other members had .. i'll show u guys a pic ... still experimenting with it

 

Sage advice DW. I totally agree but find it hard to mingle the "coin budget" and the "photography budget". Seems like I have to choose one over the other, and at this time, I'm unwilling to do so. I do get adequate pictures with this, but I must admit, the "box" does have it's limits.........



Suits my needs at the moment but lately I've been experiencing it's limitations. Being somewhat unsatisfied, with certain results, I may have to soon entertain your suggestion..........

 

no you can't..Canon and Nikon lenses are different from each other.

 

I'm using my grandmother's Nikkon D3100. Not sure on the price, but it works absolutely great for me.

 

Only real lmitation I would see for an amateur setup for a point and shoot would be photographing color. Color is tough even with the pro stuff.

 

while a wooden frame will work with a point and shoot or a dslr with a small zoom lens, it will never work with a large prime [no zoom] lens, for example I have a 150 mm macro lens, In some cases I have to be 2 feet away from the coin to get a shot of the whole coin, and because the lens does not have zoom, I will need to change the distance between the lens and the coin for coins of different sizes, and because it is a macro lens, macro lenses have a "feature" that the magnification depends on the distance between the lens and the object, so if I need a 1:1 picture the lens must be exactly 1.24 ft away from the object, if you change the distance you will not get 1:1 pictures, which another reason why a simple wood stand will not work.

 

I use an old (relatively) Canon S3IS for digital work - it can focus in macro mode at 0", and I've tried it. Layed the camera on its back, carefully placed an flower leaf on the lens and the focus was perfect.

I'm sure the newer cameras are a lot better. Lots of practice with a cheaper camera would be more productive than no practice with an expensive camera.

I'm still not convinced the F3P is still not the best camera of all time. If you're into 35mm...

And make sure it's "made in Japan"! Since no cameras are made here in the USA I'm comfortable saying that.

 

The S3IS is a great cam, I really wanted one back when it was released, also cameras that can focus at 0" are rare.

 

Not that I know of. Canon and Nikon have different mounts.

 

Thanks I did some more searching. I am down to one or the other...
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/1455/Micro-NIKKOR-105mm-f%252F2.8.html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-TechSpecs
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Produ...F-S-VR-Micro-NIKKOR-105mm-f%2F2.8G-IF-ED.html