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<p>[QUOTE="Suarez, post: 3319130, member: 99239"]I just answered off-the-cuff style about your quest to get a new camera for coins. Really, take it from someone who does this professionally - you can get great results from crappy hardware(*). Since you say you're also interested in outdoor photography then go ahead and get the DSLR but know that that's only a small (and not even necessary) step towards getting pro-level shots.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since I own Nikon equipment I would recommend getting a used Nikkor 60mm Macro lens. And since you're going to shoot with high f-stops you'll be wasting money by paying more for "fast glass". I think I paid $100 for a used f2/8 which has been my workhorse for the last ten years.</p><p><br /></p><p>What you <b>should</b> get though is a good lightbox that can effectively diffuse light and also invest in a decent tripod with a ballhead-type mount w/ quick-release. Your Aethelred II penny looks good but your bottom two shots show that you're using a light that IMO is too harsh and your shots are not color corrected. It's hard to tell if that is the camera or that the light itself is colored. Look on Amazon for 5000k lamps if you need good lighting. Your Nikon will have color balancing that is preset for 5000k lights making this part a no brainer.</p><p><br /></p><p>And one last thing I always recommend is that you do your test shots against modern coins. By comparing your results with pocket change you will know whether you're getting good shots or not.... otherwise it's too easy to fall in love with mediocre work when you're shooting your favorite coins ;-)</p><p><br /></p><p>* to prove the point I just took a pic of the closest coin I currently have to your Cnut <i>with <b>my cell phone</b></i>. It isn't the best obviously but on quick glance, I think, it would not be out of place on your average auctioneer's website.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/4OgsE19.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Suarez, post: 3319130, member: 99239"]I just answered off-the-cuff style about your quest to get a new camera for coins. Really, take it from someone who does this professionally - you can get great results from crappy hardware(*). Since you say you're also interested in outdoor photography then go ahead and get the DSLR but know that that's only a small (and not even necessary) step towards getting pro-level shots. Since I own Nikon equipment I would recommend getting a used Nikkor 60mm Macro lens. And since you're going to shoot with high f-stops you'll be wasting money by paying more for "fast glass". I think I paid $100 for a used f2/8 which has been my workhorse for the last ten years. What you [B]should[/B] get though is a good lightbox that can effectively diffuse light and also invest in a decent tripod with a ballhead-type mount w/ quick-release. Your Aethelred II penny looks good but your bottom two shots show that you're using a light that IMO is too harsh and your shots are not color corrected. It's hard to tell if that is the camera or that the light itself is colored. Look on Amazon for 5000k lamps if you need good lighting. Your Nikon will have color balancing that is preset for 5000k lights making this part a no brainer. And one last thing I always recommend is that you do your test shots against modern coins. By comparing your results with pocket change you will know whether you're getting good shots or not.... otherwise it's too easy to fall in love with mediocre work when you're shooting your favorite coins ;-) * to prove the point I just took a pic of the closest coin I currently have to your Cnut [I]with [B]my cell phone[/B][/I]. It isn't the best obviously but on quick glance, I think, it would not be out of place on your average auctioneer's website. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/4OgsE19.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
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Thinking of new camera for coin pictures
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