Photos of coins

[argentumandcoins]

Can anyone suggest a cheap digital camera which I can buy just for photographing coins? I know it needs a macro mode and I will need lighting and a tripod as discussed above. I can't see me using the camera for anything else so possibly I could get something which plugs into the USB port and uses the pc screen for display? I presume digital microscopes are not suitable though?

Myself, Declan and Hus all use a Canon powershot A480.

It will knock you back around £60 Steve and ticks all of the above boxes.

I don't use a tripod or any lighting other than natural daylight.

[Accumulator]

Can anyone suggest a cheap digital camera which I can buy just for photographing coins? I know it needs a macro mode and I will need lighting and a tripod as discussed above. I can't see me using the camera for anything else so possibly I could get something which plugs into the USB port and uses the pc screen for display? I presume digital microscopes are not suitable though?

Myself, Declan and Hus all use a Canon powershot A480.

It will knock you back around £60 Steve and ticks all of the above boxes.

I don't use a tripod or any lighting other than natural daylight.

Thanks John, I think I can stretch to £60! If no one has a better idea I'll get one next week. I'm fed up looking at me poor scans.

[declanwmagee]

I should, mate

[Peckris]

Can anyone suggest a cheap digital camera which I can buy just for photographing coins? I know it needs a macro mode and I will need lighting and a tripod as discussed above. I can't see me using the camera for anything else so possibly I could get something which plugs into the USB port and uses the pc screen for display? I presume digital microscopes are not suitable though?

Myself, Declan and Hus all use a Canon powershot A480.

It will knock you back around £60 Steve and ticks all of the above boxes.

I don't use a tripod or any lighting other than natural daylight.

Thanks John, I think I can stretch to £60! If no one has a better idea I'll get one next week. I'm fed up looking at me poor scans.

On the other hand, you should be able to pick up a DSLR plus macro lens and still have change from a grand ....

[SionGilbey]

Can anyone suggest a cheap digital camera which I can buy just for photographing coins? I know it needs a macro mode and I will need lighting and a tripod as discussed above. I can't see me using the camera for anything else so possibly I could get something which plugs into the USB port and uses the pc screen for display? I presume digital microscopes are not suitable though?

Myself, Declan and Hus all use a Canon powershot A480.

It will knock you back around £60 Steve and ticks all of the above boxes.

I don't use a tripod or any lighting other than natural daylight.

Thanks John, I think I can stretch to £60! If no one has a better idea I'll get one next week. I'm fed up looking at me poor scans.

On the other hand, you should be able to pick up a DSLR plus macro lens and still have change from a grand ....

Only really worth it if you're a dealer.

Otherwise get a decent camera for a few hundred and spend the rest on coins.

[Accumulator]

Went to Jessops today. They didn't have the A480 (they thought it was an older model) but suggested the A3300 IS, for £120, plus a mini tripod. I quickly set it up this evening, in macro mode, but can't take any close ups, presumably because the lighting isn't good enough. Will have a proper go tomorrow in daylight.

Edited May 29, 2011 by Accumulator

[Peckris]

Went to Jessops today. They didn't have the A480 (they thought it was an older model) but suggested the A3300 IS, for £120, plus a mini tripod. I quickly set it up this evening, in macro mode, but can't take any close ups, presumably because the lighting isn't good enough. Will have a proper go tomorrow in daylight.

I just read a review of it that didn't even mention that it has a macro mode. I hope you're sure about that? Take it back if it doesn't, as that's the one thing you need for taking pictures of coins.

[argentumandcoins]

Can anyone suggest a cheap digital camera which I can buy just for photographing coins? I know it needs a macro mode and I will need lighting and a tripod as discussed above. I can't see me using the camera for anything else so possibly I could get something which plugs into the USB port and uses the pc screen for display? I presume digital microscopes are not suitable though?

Myself, Declan and Hus all use a Canon powershot A480.

It will knock you back around £60 Steve and ticks all of the above boxes.

I don't use a tripod or any lighting other than natural daylight.

Thanks John, I think I can stretch to £60! If no one has a better idea I'll get one next week. I'm fed up looking at me poor scans.

On the other hand, you should be able to pick up a DSLR plus macro lens and still have change from a grand ....

Only really worth it if you're a dealer.

Otherwise get a decent camera for a few hundred and spend the rest on coins.

A drug dealer Sion?

There aren't many coin dealers that could or would lash out a grand on a camera

[SionGilbey]

Can anyone suggest a cheap digital camera which I can buy just for photographing coins? I know it needs a macro mode and I will need lighting and a tripod as discussed above. I can't see me using the camera for anything else so possibly I could get something which plugs into the USB port and uses the pc screen for display? I presume digital microscopes are not suitable though?

Myself, Declan and Hus all use a Canon powershot A480.

It will knock you back around £60 Steve and ticks all of the above boxes.

I don't use a tripod or any lighting other than natural daylight.

Thanks John, I think I can stretch to £60! If no one has a better idea I'll get one next week. I'm fed up looking at me poor scans.

On the other hand, you should be able to pick up a DSLR plus macro lens and still have change from a grand ....

Only really worth it if you're a dealer.

Otherwise get a decent camera for a few hundred and spend the rest on coins.

A drug dealer Sion?

There aren't many coin dealers that could or would lash out a grand on a camera

Or, I suppose, rich.

Personally, I couldn't swap a few extra megapixels for a couple of really nice coins.

[Peter]

Went to Jessops today. They didn't have the A480 (they thought it was an older model) but suggested the A3300 IS, for £120, plus a mini tripod. I quickly set it up this evening, in macro mode, but can't take any close ups, presumably because the lighting isn't good enough. Will have a proper go tomorrow in daylight.

Plenty of A480's online (ie argos just over £80)

However it gets slated on batteries and its viewfinder.

[Accumulator]

Went to Jessops today. They didn't have the A480 (they thought it was an older model) but suggested the A3300 IS, for £120, plus a mini tripod. I quickly set it up this evening, in macro mode, but can't take any close ups, presumably because the lighting isn't good enough. Will have a proper go tomorrow in daylight.

Plenty of A480's online (ie argos just over £80)

However it gets slated on batteries and its viewfinder.

Ok, here's my first attempt using the A3300 IS. I had the coin about 8cm from the lens, using fully auto instead of macro mode (it seems just the same and focuses better). The coin fills less than half the screen, but with 16MP I don't think that matters. On a windowsill in daylight, not sunlight as its a bit dull here today. I downloaded the image and cropped it to 1500 x 1500 pixels (but reduced it further for posting). Any comments, suggestions or otherwise much appreciated!

**Since posting this I've noticed that macro IS better so will take a comparison shot and post below!

Edited May 30, 2011 by Accumulator

[Accumulator]

Actually not any better. I need to play some more.

Edited May 30, 2011 by Accumulator

[Accumulator]

Here's one taken in better light in macro mode. The better light allows the camera to have the coin and focus at a closer distance.

[Accumulator]

And a final pic showing a detail (the damaged die around '0') at 1:1 extracted from the original photo.

[Peter]

I think you have got it cracked....nice pictures & coin

[Accumulator]

Thanks Peter. I've taken a few more for practice. Here's one of a coin with more lustre:

Edited May 30, 2011 by Accumulator

[Accumulator]

.

Edited May 30, 2011 by Accumulator

[Accumulator]

For comparison I have scanned (at 1200 dpi) and photographed the same 1895 penny, then cropped both to leave only the detail around Britannia's head. The photo (on the right) is far superior to the scan, so I'm very happy with the results.

[Peckris]

Went to Jessops today. They didn't have the A480 (they thought it was an older model) but suggested the A3300 IS, for £120, plus a mini tripod. I quickly set it up this evening, in macro mode, but can't take any close ups, presumably because the lighting isn't good enough. Will have a proper go tomorrow in daylight.

Plenty of A480's online (ie argos just over £80)

However it gets slated on batteries and its viewfinder.

The crucial thing is - has it got a genuine macro mode? It's no good for coin photos if it doesn't.

[AJWcoins]

Well it took me a while but I went in to town and picked up a 'Velbon CX mini' tripod for £18.99. Here's my first results I'm thinking I might have to up the resolution(to maintain quality when I crop on the laptop) as I have to take the shoot slightly further away than if done by hand. Any how here's my first picture so I'm guessing they shall only get better as I keep trying different things.

[AJWcoins]

Here's my second attempt I've upped the resolution(MP)and chosen a larger coin which seem to be easier to do than the smaller one's.

[AJWcoins]

Now for the other side.

Well now to think about smaller coins any suggestion's.

[AJWcoins]

Here we are with a smaller coin.

So far I'm just using daylight but would be good to have a light set up for taking pictures after sunset etc. So any recommendations for bulbs/setups be nice but don't worry to much as there is already a fair bit about this here any way.

[Nick]

Well it took me a while but I went in to town and picked up a 'Velbon CX mini' tripod for £18.99. Here's my first results I'm thinking I might have to up the resolution(to maintain quality when I crop on the laptop) as I have to take the shoot slightly further away than if done by hand. Any how here's my first picture so I'm guessing they shall only get better as I keep trying different things.

I don't see any reason not to use the highest resolution that your camera can manage. Resolution can always be reduced (if needs be) but it can never be increased.

[Nick]

So far I'm just using daylight but would be good to have a light set up for taking pictures after sunset etc. So any recommendations for bulbs/setups be nice but don't worry to much as there is already a fair bit about this here any way.

The choice of bulb will depend on your camera's ability to determine an accurate white balance. Some cameras introduce a slight colour cast into the photo, so it's worth a bit of experimentation with different light sources to see what works for you.