What Camera do you Use to take those Clear Crisp Images of your Coins?

I basically asked the question in the title.

What do you guys use?

bnb

 

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I'm looking forward to reading the answers on this, too -- although I suspect it's not the camera so much as it's the method done.

FWIW, for my non-shiny coins (particularly copper) my cheap Epson printer/scanner works fairly well. But it's awful on anything that reflects . . .

And that's where technique comes in . . . and so I look forward to seeing how this thread plays out (although it might be as simple as "see the thread at xxxx!)

 

I use a Nikon D300.

 

I 90% believe that this is true but some cameras make it a great deal easier to get good pictures. Top drawer are the dSLR's models like the Nikon (D300 as mentioned and many others) and Canon models. For coins, unless you are making huge prints, the difference between a 5 year old dSLR and the latest model. Accessories for lighting or close focus and macro lenses make more difference. I collect ancients and have relative little experience with modern coins. I offer several pages that chronicle my photographic education. I'm still learning (slowly).

article:
http://dougsmith.ancients.info/ph2008.html

samples:
http://www.pbase.com/dougsmit/coins

 

Canon 20D
Canon EF 100mm Macro Lens
Canon 420EX Speedlite
LumiQuest Softbox diffuser
Kaiser Copy Stand

 

Canon EOS 50D + tamron macro lens + copy stand

 

Nice setups above me.

I went in the opposite direction. I started out with a cheap fuji fine pix a340. Then I got a more expensive cannon with lots of accesories, lighting domes for coins ect. It turned out to be a pain in the butt for me and so last year I searched pawnshops and found another old Fuji and I'm fine with it. If I have to shoot through a loupe for smaller coins, no problem. If the coin's in focus, the camera is steady, and the lighting is right the shot should come out fine with even a cheap digital.

 

Nikon coolpix P80, cost me around $300 or so I think. But yeah, it's not the size/cost that matters, it's how you use it!

 

I get great results with a scanner, Slightly lifted and blacked out not advanced
But does provide good images along with enhancements from photobucket.com

 

Not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean

I've been reduced to minimal optics.

Following this thread to see where it leads but still putzing by with my Pentax Cheap~o Optio diving camera and soup can lighting system.

It is really a slam/bam thank you VAM and hope to upgrade when I win the lotto.

So bring on the GOOD stuff folks!

 

It's all about the lens and lighting IMO. Mark Goodman has a super book about coin photography that should be "required reading".

Nikon D60 w/Tamron 90mm lens:

 

That's what I Lookin' about!

Great stuff!

 

As mentioned above - its not what you have, its how you use it. You do not need an expensive SLR setup like many of the guys above to take good, if not great coin pictures. For example, I have a Canon SX100IS, a $300 camera when I bought it 2 years ago, and I take pictures which I would consider quite good. Mark Goodman's Numismatic Photography is required reading for the subject. For examples of my pictures, see my registry set linked below.

 

Canon EOS Rebel XSi using the 55mm lens, using three diffused daylight light sources on adjustable mounts.

This one was taken through plastic.

 

Here's a shot with the goofy technique of sticking a wadded up piece of napkin over the flasher and using the flash on a 30 dollar camera.

 

A DSLR with a macro lens will get a person up and running much quicker.
This gets the lens further from the coin so more light can get in.
Most small cameras block the light and make the learning a bit tough.
A DSLR cost more and a good lens will cost as much or more than the camera.
On top of that you need a good stand to keep the camera still.
The Canon Rebel is a nice choice for the price.
With that said, It's all about practice and more practice.

 

Yep.

Yep.

One of the tips I picked up in his book - with light, MORE is not necessarily BETTER. With low contrast coins (including most circulated, especially old copper) one light is much better than two.

Have a flexible rig where you can try a lot of different arrangements. Among other things - try different coin orientations (i.e. top of Liberty's head north, east, south, and west). Choose the best.

 

One of the big paybacks with a better camera :

better white balance + better exposure control = little or no post processing.

 

I've got a Nikon D90 with a Nikkor 60mm Micro lens (Micro is Nikon's term for macro capability).
This is overkill for most collectors, but it is also my vacation/family gathering camera.

 

I have a couple of different setups.

The one I use most is the Cannon 40D with an 105 MM Sigma Macro Lenz. I use 2 tabletop sunlight lamps and a copystand.

I also have an Nikon D3 with an 105 MM Nikkor Micro Lenz with an extender tube. I use the same lights for both applications.

Honestly the Cannon takes just as good of pictures as the Nikon for about 1/4th the money.