Taking pictures of coins to sell on EBAY: I am going to sell my coins and stamps on EBAY and needed to know what kind of camera is really good at taking macro shots. I would like to...

Johnincalifornia

I am going to sell my coins and stamps on EBAY and needed to know what kind of camera is really good at taking macro shots. I would like to keep the price between $200-$400. Any advice regarding how to take pictures of silver coins in order to keep glare down would be appreciated.Thanks

RegisG Loc: Mid-Tennessee

Johnincalifornia wrote:

I am going to sell my coins and stamps on EBAY and needed to know what kind of camera is really good at taking macro shots. I would like to keep the price between $200-$400. Any advice regarding how to take pictures of silver coins in order to keep glare down would be appreciated.Thanks

You don't have to spend that much. Just get one of the microscope cameras that attach directly to your pc. There are lots of them and I've used the $50 type that gets great coin condition detail.. Here is one [url]http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Handheld-Digital-Microscope-Pro/dp/B00CMJ1I08/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1403709792&sr=8-12&keywords=microscope+camera [/url but, just search for microscope camers.

RegisG

Johnincalifornia

Thank you very much. I would have never thought of such an economical solution. I am going to buy one today. Thanks again!!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Never considered an option like this one...

amehta Loc: Boston

RegisG wrote:

You don't have to spend that much. Just get one of the microscope cameras that attach directly to your pc. There are lots of them and I've used the $50 type that gets great coin condition detail.. Here is one http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Handheld-Digital-Microscope-Pro/dp/B00CMJ1I08/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1403709792&sr=8-12&keywords=microscope+camera but, just search for microscope camers.

RegisG

I had never even heard of this option. Cool! Thanks for mentioning the interesting toy. :-)

mel Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

The Hog is full of surprises. That keeps it interesting.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I sell stamps on Ebay and have done so for a few years now. I use an Iphone 5 camera and sometimes a sony cybershot both work great, I found if yuo can light them good enough, its best to shoot without the flash ,pics come out much better.
also if you have a scanner, that works great for stamps too...

The money I make from ebay buys all my new camera equipment, that is a must have . It also allows me to buy stuff for the camera that I dont need , but I still but it.

MARTYIV Loc: On the Wabash

Johnincalifornia wrote:

I am going to sell my coins and stamps on EBAY and needed to know what kind of camera is really good at taking macro shots. I would like to keep the price between $200-$400. Any advice regarding how to take pictures of silver coins in order to keep glare down would be appreciated.Thanks

Try using your scanner to scan your coins and stamps. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. You can change the background color by propping the lid open. Plus their on your computer ready to email or whatever.

kenpic Loc: Edmonds, WA

One of the tricks to shooting coins (or any small metal objects) is to tent it with vellum. I usually put the coin on black velvet, but could be any nice background. Using a copy stand (two lights at 45 degrees) I place a sheet of vellum that I have rolled into a tube. This extends from the lens of the camera all the way down to the velvet (with the coin in the center.) The coin is picking up the reflections of the light hitting the vellum and will look very nice. You will need to experiment with your exposure--ideally use a gray card. I think you will be pleased with the results.

OonlyBonly

Or something like this. Yes, they do work - even the cheap one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Photo-Studio-24-Photography-Light-Tent-Backdrop-Kit-60cm-Cube-Lighting-In-A-Box-/390813491437?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5afe4ca0ed

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

I am a long time eBay seller and have sold many small items like coins and jewelry. I have always used a tabletop light box. I have an Sigma 18-50 f2.8 Macro lens. It has served me well....With the light box, you can carefully control lighting and show your items off to best advantage.If you don't want to buy a light box, you can make a perfectly serviceable one from some white sheets and a wooden frame...Google DIY lightbox for plans ...I have one of those microscope/cameras. I do not find the results acceptable and have not taken any shots that do not require a lot of PP to make them usable. You know as well as I do, when selling on eBay, part of the profit is NOT spending a lot of time and energy on getting your listings ready. If you have to manipulate the shot much, you are at a point of diminishing returns.....

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Johnincalifornia wrote:

I am going to sell my coins and stamps on EBAY and needed to know what kind of camera is really good at taking macro shots. I would like to keep the price between $200-$400. Any advice regarding how to take pictures of silver coins in order to keep glare down would be appreciated.Thanks

Just playing around I did this with a scanner:

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

LFingar wrote:

Just playing around I did this with a scanner:

That is really cool! Anyone who collects coins or stamps could use this idea to record a visual inventory and have a file on hand in case of loss or theft. Very clever!

MARTYIV Loc: On the Wabash

LFingar wrote:

Just playing around I did this with a scanner:

Thanks for backing up what I said with a pic. My printer lost its network connection this morn and I couldn't do crap.

Aaron Braganza Loc: Sydney, Australia

[quote=RegisG]You don't have to spend that much. Just get one of the microscope cameras that attach directly to your pc. There are lots of them and I've used the $50 type that gets great coin condition detail.. Here is one [url]http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Handheld-Digital-Microscope-Pro/dp/B00CMJ1I08/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1403709792&sr=8-12&keywords=microscope+camera [/url but, just search for microscope camers.

RegisG[/quote]
Wow am amazed - unaware such a device existed - thanks
Imagine all the money invested in macro lenses - but of course they suit other purposes as well