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<p>[QUOTE="lehmansterms, post: 2632634, member: 80804"]One thing that became perfectly clear - in fact, hit me like a flash from the blue - back in the 90's on the occasion of acquiring my first decent computer, then discovering the internet and the on-line numismatic community almost simultaneously, was the realization that in order to participate in this exciting new arena (before then, being an ancient coin collector was a solitary pursuit, I can assure you) it was going to be necessary to learn how to do digital imaging of coins so they could be shared without writing a novelette on each.</p><p>My point is, when I was a pre-internet ancient coin guy, I merely dreamed of someday having a set-up to photograph coins. At that time, however, with film photography, it was not only expensive, there was a long lead-time between taking an experimental photo and seeing the result, "Photomats" not withstanding. And, as I said, it was prohibitively expensive - this was back when grading was actually important and meant something - but that's a rant for another day.</p><p>I had noticed that some photos on ebay were very good, and many were pure dreck. I did a quick survey, writing to about 10 ebay sellers chosen on the basis of whether their ebay photos actually <i>looked</i> like coins or not. I asked them what sort of camera they used or recommended and of the 6 who responded 5 said "Sony Mavica". Well, that was the standard for that time, and if I say so myself, I have taken quite a few decent photos with what most would consider pitifully under-megapixeled cameras. My first Mavica was a used FD 71 and I probably took at least eight or ten thousand photos with it before moving up to an FD 91 - which I still use quite often. </p><p>I'm in the phase of trying various consumer-grade cameras to see if any are able to take superior photos with 10 or 15 mp (vs the incredible 0.3 mp of my original FD 71) and non-specialized lenses - and thinking ever more seriously about perhaps acquiring a SLR digital body and a dedicated macro lens, if I ever have a few bucks extra to play with - but for now, my go-to camera is still the FD 91 - which has the most impressive lens (I'm told it's the equivalent of a 115mm telephoto) Sony put on any of the Mavicas.</p><p>Why am I going on about "antique" digital cameras? Possibly because although it's really nice to be able to afford top-of-the-line equipment, there is no reason not to go on with whatever you can afford and does what you consider an adequate job. I don't consider myself "professional" by any means, still, I have been hired to photograph collections - granted, not for publication beyond the web. Still, comfort and familiarity with your camera probably comes very close to equalling the results one is likely to get with all but the very most sophisticated (expensive) gear. Learn the "trade" - the rules are simple - #1, "Lighting is everything." #2, see rule #1. ...you can add" Don't shoot against a busy background, make sure the camera stays motionless, focus, use your GD phone to <i><b>talk</b></i> to people, the general quality of on-line photography took a major hit and went steeply downhill when people started using their phones in lieu of real cameras for shooting coins.</p><p>Aside from keeping your phone in your pocket, it's important to remember that if it works for you, it's probably not particularly useful to pine over the equipment you can't afford - just go with what you know and what works for you - that's my two cents worth (talk is cheap, see how much you get for two cents?).[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="lehmansterms, post: 2632634, member: 80804"]One thing that became perfectly clear - in fact, hit me like a flash from the blue - back in the 90's on the occasion of acquiring my first decent computer, then discovering the internet and the on-line numismatic community almost simultaneously, was the realization that in order to participate in this exciting new arena (before then, being an ancient coin collector was a solitary pursuit, I can assure you) it was going to be necessary to learn how to do digital imaging of coins so they could be shared without writing a novelette on each. My point is, when I was a pre-internet ancient coin guy, I merely dreamed of someday having a set-up to photograph coins. At that time, however, with film photography, it was not only expensive, there was a long lead-time between taking an experimental photo and seeing the result, "Photomats" not withstanding. And, as I said, it was prohibitively expensive - this was back when grading was actually important and meant something - but that's a rant for another day. I had noticed that some photos on ebay were very good, and many were pure dreck. I did a quick survey, writing to about 10 ebay sellers chosen on the basis of whether their ebay photos actually [I]looked[/I] like coins or not. I asked them what sort of camera they used or recommended and of the 6 who responded 5 said "Sony Mavica". Well, that was the standard for that time, and if I say so myself, I have taken quite a few decent photos with what most would consider pitifully under-megapixeled cameras. My first Mavica was a used FD 71 and I probably took at least eight or ten thousand photos with it before moving up to an FD 91 - which I still use quite often. I'm in the phase of trying various consumer-grade cameras to see if any are able to take superior photos with 10 or 15 mp (vs the incredible 0.3 mp of my original FD 71) and non-specialized lenses - and thinking ever more seriously about perhaps acquiring a SLR digital body and a dedicated macro lens, if I ever have a few bucks extra to play with - but for now, my go-to camera is still the FD 91 - which has the most impressive lens (I'm told it's the equivalent of a 115mm telephoto) Sony put on any of the Mavicas. Why am I going on about "antique" digital cameras? Possibly because although it's really nice to be able to afford top-of-the-line equipment, there is no reason not to go on with whatever you can afford and does what you consider an adequate job. I don't consider myself "professional" by any means, still, I have been hired to photograph collections - granted, not for publication beyond the web. Still, comfort and familiarity with your camera probably comes very close to equalling the results one is likely to get with all but the very most sophisticated (expensive) gear. Learn the "trade" - the rules are simple - #1, "Lighting is everything." #2, see rule #1. ...you can add" Don't shoot against a busy background, make sure the camera stays motionless, focus, use your GD phone to [I][B]talk[/B][/I] to people, the general quality of on-line photography took a major hit and went steeply downhill when people started using their phones in lieu of real cameras for shooting coins. Aside from keeping your phone in your pocket, it's important to remember that if it works for you, it's probably not particularly useful to pine over the equipment you can't afford - just go with what you know and what works for you - that's my two cents worth (talk is cheap, see how much you get for two cents?).[/QUOTE]
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