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alli_lynch's picture
Submitted By: alli_lynch
Joined: Apr 24 2006
Posts:
Best camera for coin photography
Posted: April 24, 2006 - 5:26am

Just looking for some advice and/or a recommendation. I shoot photos mainly of coins. The reason I want digital is the most common--I can take a zillion and have them instantly. I use an outdated Fuji right now (really bad) and my boss is letting me upgrade! I use a Nikkon D70 at home (personal use) and it is great. I just want to see if anyone has a better suggesion for close ups and fine detail. I would be using it on a copy stand or tripod since sometimes I set up packaging shots. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! I also have a terrible time with lighting (fluorescents in my office) so it needs to be pretty idiot proof since I'm not very savvy on getting the light correct!

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Larry Berman's picture
Submitted By: Larry Berman
Location: Pittsburgh
Joined: Mar 7 2005
Posts:
#1
Re: Best camera for coin photography
Posted: April 24, 2006 - 5:47am

If you're going to use the D70, purchase Nikon's 60mm macro lens. That'll give you the highest quality close up pictures you can get.

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alli_lynch's picture
Submitted By: alli_lynch
Joined: Apr 24 2006
Posts:
#2
Re: Best camera for coin photography
Posted: April 24, 2006 - 6:53am

Do you think the Nikon D70 is best for coins?

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Larry Berman's picture
Submitted By: Larry Berman
Location: Pittsburgh
Joined: Mar 7 2005
Posts:
#3
Re: Best camera for coin photography
Posted: April 24, 2006 - 8:26am

There is no best. Any consumer camera with good close up capabilities will work as will any DSLR with the proper macro lens. You need to decide how the images are to be used and then pick the proper tools for the job.

A bigger problem will be lighting. You can't use on camera flash and you can't put the tripod mounted camera in the path of the external lights.

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alli_lynch's picture
Submitted By: alli_lynch
Joined: Apr 24 2006
Posts:
#4
Re: Best camera for coin photography
Posted: April 24, 2006 - 8:34am

Images will be used for high res print, and then downsized for web. I do like the Nikon D70. Maybe I will stick with that since I'm familiar with it, and then tackle the lighting issue separately. I've done some research and found some "old tips of the trade" that were used with SLR's that I'm sure can be applied to a DSLR.

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pchaplo's picture
Submitted By: pchaplo
Location: Texas
Joined: Feb 20 2006
Posts:
#5
Re: Best camera for coin photography
Posted: April 24, 2006 - 10:38am

A used Canon Digital Rebel D300 - about $400 bux. The images are amazing. Get a cheap lens and add the closeup lens 500D if you need more magnification. The cheap kit lens is a macro, but you may need more magnification.

Paul

www.chaplo.com
www.paulchaplo.com
www.imagestock.us

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ronk's picture
Submitted By: ronk
Location: Quensbury, NY
Joined: Mar 15 2005
Posts:
#6
Re: Best camera for coin photography
Posted: May 2, 2006 - 1:34am

A few of the p&s will focus down to 2.5 inches.This may be enough. A table top try pod is reccommended. As for lighting, try a gooseneck desk lamp with a reflector card on the opposite side. Do a custom wb or set it for incandescent and you are in business.

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