I have a basic Kodak EasyShare cx7300 3.2mp that I bought for other purposes. I can't get a clear coin picture with it so don't get that one for coins.
Hi Tim. Many of the close-up photos you see are actually taken with an inexpensive computer microscope called a Digital Blue. it allows images of 10x, 60x and 200x in full color with top and bottom lighting plus many other features. They sell for around $70+/- and simply plug into an avail. usb port and are viewed right on the monitor. Very, very simple and easy to operate, even for adults. The one I use is a QX5 which is compat. with XP right out of the box. They may not give the results of a good digital camera but they sure are faster and easier to set up. Just turn it on, stick in the coin and your off an running.
I like the Nikon 5400 myself - that camera can do just about anything. But whatever brand you choose - get one with a macro feature for taking closeups.
The Digital Blue (QX3, QX5) is for the extreme closeups some of us use. As far as a simple Digital Camera, I don`t have the answer. I use a 3 year old Olympus D-510. It leaves a lot to be desired. What you need on newer cameras is what is called a "Macro" function. This allows close-up pics. The mega-pixel (3 MP, 5MP) of digital cameras has little to do with the close-ups you can take. It is the macro (close-up) function that matters most. I am also looking for the best coin camera with the best macro features.
it's hard to beat the nikon digital camera macro... I can get to within 1/2 inch of the subject...it gets hard to light it. here's a quick example I just took with a nikon 995. I didn't crop either pic...they are just as they came out of the camera... the closeup is about 3/4-1 inch from the coin. The other is about 4 or 5 inches away. They are handheld and lit with a desklamp with a GE reveal bulb. I'm still experimenting with the setup. You could go the digital slr route with a true macro lens... but as mentioned above alot of digital cams have a macro function...go to a store and test them out. I'm very familiar and impressed with my nikon but other cameras will do similar.
and cropping the closeup isn't too bad...mostly soft because of being handheld ... and only 3mp on the nikon 995
If U want a good inexpensive camera, try the Fuji 510E, $199 5.2 mp, marcro, regular and digital zoom.
Just as important...proper lighting! That is no flash and diffused lighting. I use GE Reveal light bulbs with coins pictured on a black porous background. I take the pictures inside a gallon milk/water jug so that light hitting the bottle will diffuse. Remember...black is absent of reflected light and you do not want reflected colors immediately adjacent to the coin to effect your color representation. Get a tri-pod, GE Reveal light bulbs, a gallon jug and try it! Read on...this is where I got this information: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/essays/vanRiper/020809.htm
I agree with the method Midas uses and I use something similar. Also, I use a cheap Kodak camera and am happy with the images I can produce (although ultra-close-ups are not usually perfectly sharp). I think that cloudsweepers problems with a Kodak is probably more related to method than camera. Here is a recent sample of what I can get.
Cave Troll, You may be correct. If you are getting decent results with an inexpensive Kodak, perhaps I need to experiment more. It could be me and not Kodak, and I might owe them an apology for understating the capability of their product. Thanks.
The digital camera you need is the one with the best macro feature. Some have macro features but you cant get any closer than 18 mm. You need one with a close focussing range like 4 or 5 mm. I've heard good things about Nikons. You can sometimes buy a 2 or 3 MP camera pretty cheaply because it's old technology but it still has the close macro range. Megapixels are only important if you plan to blow the photo up and don't want to get graininess. I also have the QX5 microscope camera. It's nice for fine details but has trouble taking shots of larger coins. It can't get the whole coin into it's focus range so you end up taking a picture of the top and then the bottom of the coin.
I like the black background... I'll need to look around for something to use for that. I need a better lamp (or two) than what I'm using right now.
This is sure some great advise! Its a good idea to do an photo inventory for insurance. Having good detail is important. Living in Florida you never know....
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/coin_photography.htm Try this site. Sorry I don't know how to post links. I will look at the instructions for next time.
Here's exactly what I do... 1) I set the camera to the "flower" setting (macro/close-up setting), 2) I use a cheap tripod to stabilize the camera (only 6"-8" tall, and cost less than $10), 3) I put the coin against a black background (it is an envelope that I've colored black with a Sharpie) 4) I place the camera about 6"-10" from the coin and then zoom in until the coin fills the frame, 5) I use the timer delay so that there is no wobble from me pushing the button, 6) and finally I throw out about 10%-20% of my photos because they aren't as good as I want. Good luck!
I have a 400 dollar Sony Cyber-Shot takes incredibly bad pics-bought a 40 dollar used old Olympus digital and wow
