Cameras

Australian coin · July 21, 2014, 04:57:04 PM

I just bought a new camera yesterday! it took a while and got a good one
the first one I bought a week ago I had to return it LET ME SAY - I would not **** on a Nikon if it was on fire! what a load of faulty ****
ill show some pic of the new one I got yesterday its a Olympus - so much better ( at lest it can focus in on a threepence and over date )

****ADMIN EDIT BECAUSE I HAVE A POTTY MOUTH*******

Robster · July 21, 2014, 04:57:21 PM

I have until recently been using a Nikon D3200, great camera.!! I use a Tokina f2.8 macro lens.! My camera is mounted on an old enlarger stand and I use a 3 light setup. (2 x Jansjo l.e.d. spots from Ikea and a 10w halogen I had lying around.!!
I have just scored a Nikon D7100 so I can use tethering software to shoot my pics through my laptop (Control my Nikon software didn't support the D3200.)
Now I have one camera for road trips and one dedicated to coins and I couldn't be happier.!!
Like all else there is much to learn but you will be so much happier as every shot improves.!! Best wishes, take tons of pics at different speeds, apertures, and lighting.!! Look forward to some results.:yahoo:
Your other lens will be great for general pics. You will have everything you need in one lens for the 'fishing' action shots.!!

Fordprefect · July 21, 2014, 05:02:45 PM

Yep, copy stand and lights

But :-

Before spending any more dollars I'd be checking if
the D3200 supports Live View shooting.
From memory it dosn't, Robster I think ran into this roadblock
maybe he would be best to comment.
And i see he has responded before my post
Without "Live View" capability you are severely limiting
your options.

trout · July 21, 2014, 05:12:44 PM

QuoteCamera stand and lights. That'd be the best thing to buy next.

I already have another OTT light on its way that I ordered last week so I will have a squizz in town tomorrow when I go in for some other suitable lights.
Now for a camera stand , which is recommended and who sells them?

QuoteWithout "Live View" capability you are severely limiting
your options.

Can't I simply push the button :angel:

Fordprefect · July 21, 2014, 05:19:08 PM

Quote from: 'trout' pid='55099' dateline='1405928564'
QuoteCamera stand and lights. That'd be the best thing to buy next.
I already have another OTT light on its way that I ordered last week so I will have a squizz in town tomorrow when I go in for some other suitable lights.
Now for a camera stand , which is recommended and who sells them?

QuoteWithout "Live View" capability you are severely limiting
your options.
Can't I simply push the button :angel:

If you wish to produce mediocre images, yes.

Robster · July 21, 2014, 05:30:24 PM

The problem I had with the D3200/macro lens combination was as follows; I could only use manual focus with this combo.!!
Still takes great shots but with my 'ageing' eyes what looked to be in focus was quite often just 'off'.
I bought an old 'enlarger stand' from a camera store (about $25) and with a few mods. this allows the camera to hang down over the coins.
Will try and find a pic. of the setup shortly. :idea:

trout · July 21, 2014, 05:33:09 PM

These are OK but I should be able to improve on this with the new set up (I hope)

Australian coin · July 21, 2014, 05:42:11 PM

Nikon S3600 Digital Camera ($150 down to $118), was so nasty with auto focusing in the wrong places, couldn't do zoom in, needed to buy a memory card cos it could only take two picture before it said camera was full.... ah when I took it back to the shop the staff tried it and said there was something wrong with the lens and would send it back for repair, because I bought it new and it was within the shop warranty of so many days return they just gave my money back (dicksmiths)
when I went looking for a better camera I tried the shop displays in JB Hi-Fi and same camera had a macro option that you could choose in the menu but still count focus in on a 20c coin.
JB Hi-Fi store person sucked and said that the only camera they had with macro was $300! that $100 more or all cameras than elsewhere
I found my camera in Office works! the staff member was helpful and I got a camera $139
Olympus VR-370

I had a play with my new Olympus camera and it did pretty good for a first go, I took a pic of the new threepence in the mail to see if it's a over date, but alas no, then took a pic of my current over date with lighting then none, can see it good enough, a bit of playing with the camera should be able to take top pics

http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/olympus-vr370-digital-camera-16mp12-5x3in-silver-olvr370sr?searchTerm=Olympus VR-370

markn · July 21, 2014, 05:55:07 PM

We didn't have liveview until recently and yes, it's much better with it. But we didn't have it for years and we got along ok without it. At least with the lenses you've got and the Tamron you seem to have bought you can get a new body in the future and still be able to use your lenses.

Without liveview I strongly recommend you find a way of tethering your camera to your PC to allow you to take images and review them quickly because the auto focus won't always work the way you expect. And if you're doing the SD-Card->PC Copy->Review cycle then it takes forever.

Robster · July 21, 2014, 06:07:24 PM

Trout, this is the stand that I hang my camera on.!!

trout · July 21, 2014, 06:18:17 PM

Quote from: 'markn' pid='55106' dateline='1405931107'We didn't have liveview until recently and yes, it's much better with it. But we didn't have it for years and we got along ok without it. At least with the lenses you've got and the Tamron you seem to have bought you can get a new body in the future and still be able to use your lenses.

Without liveview I strongly recommend you find a way of tethering your camera to your PC to allow you to take images and review them quickly because the auto focus won't always work the way you expect. And if you're doing the SD-Card->PC Copy->Review cycle then it takes forever.

I should be able to run a cable from the camera to the computer to view the images.

Australian coin · July 21, 2014, 06:29:10 PM

my cable to camera to computer (not only upload pics) but charges the camera, also has a plug piece to charge it from wall, bonus

trout · July 21, 2014, 07:02:28 PM

I LOVE that stand Rob :good:
So fess up where did you find it

Quotemy cable to camera to computer (not only upload pics) but charges the camera, also has a plug piece to charge it from wall, bonus

I have that with my Fujifilm Point and shoot Camera as well but I normally take 20-30 images at a time and suss them in the viewfinder then take the sd card out to do the cropping.
The transfer rate from the camera via the cable is pretty slow and is easier/faster to do it that way.
BTW this little Fujifilm jobbie is the best point and shot camera I have owned and cost less than $300 :good:

trout · July 21, 2014, 08:44:48 PM

QuoteAt least with the lenses you've got and the Tamron you seem to have bought you can get a new body in the future and still be able to use your lenses.

Good Point Mark.
I did buy the Tamron so if the 3200 body becomes a pain in the proverbial I can always upgrade to a better Nikon body :good:
In the meantime this new equipment is far more advanced on what I have at the moment so I should be happy with what I have got until "I" get more advanced at taking coin shots :angel:
The advice from you and other learned camera buffs on this site has been invaluable and I appreciate it greatly.
My goal eventually is to be able to take an image of a coin that looks "Exactly" how it does "In Hand", I have a long way to go yet but by Crikey I am enjoying the Journey :dance2:

Robster · July 21, 2014, 11:44:38 PM

The stand was bought second hand from a camera store. originally held an enlarger.!!:angel: