New camera

[coppercoins]

Just got a Nikon 5200 and really like it...

http://www.lincolncent.com/nice43d.jpg

http://www.lincolncent.com/nice43d2.jpg

http://www.lincolncent.com/nice40d.jpg

http://www.lincolncent.com/nice40d2.jpg

[Bob P]

Looks pretty good Chuck. Have you experimented with closeups like an RPM or DD yet? Real anxious to see how it handles those. BTW...did you use any color editing on those pics?

[coppercoins]

No color editing. I used the pre-set white balance in the camera and balanced it off of 18% gray stock (the standard for setting white balance).

Close-ups....not quite as good yet. My problem is that the camera has such good resolution, any shaking really shows in the photo. I'll need to try finding one of those adaptors that will work for this camera.


http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/1971/1971d1mm009m.jpg

http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/1971/1971d1mm009ma.jpg

http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/1971/1971d1mm009mb.jpg

http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/1971/1971d1mm009mc.jpg

[Doug]

Interesting new tilt Chuck! What kind of adaptor are you refering to? Even a darn heartbeat seems to makes things difficult holding these new cameras steady for mere macros or intricate closeups thru a scope.

[coppercoins]

I've seen something like this on a telescope, but haven't found it for a microscope yet - BobP gave me the idea.

It's a piece that screws into the lens of the camera and fits the eyepiece hole of a microscope. You just plop the camera into the microscope as an eyepiece and snap your shots.

I expect that the piece will cost $20-$40.

[Robert]

When/where do you experience the shaking?


How about a more "beefy" table? Theyr'e heavy and expesive but I've seen small marble tables (three slabs bolted together) give a rock steady base for sensitive weighing scales.

Also, how about some sort of remote control camera trigger?


Just some ideas to throw around...

[Bob P]

Robert,
The 'shaking' that Chuck is refering to is from holding the camera up to the microscope eyepiece. The microscope itself has a very solid base, and the tables are sturdy as well. It's just that by taking micro photographs, even the slightest twitch while holding the camera up to the scope produces blurred images, especially when using cameras that are using a higher resolution setting. The adapter we are referring to enables the camera to be secured to the scope, directly to the eyepiece...therefore no holding of the camera is required. I am sure you have seen those camera adapters you can attach to a telescope? Well, this is the same thing, but threads onto both the microscope eyepiece, and the camera lens.

[coppercoins]

Bob is right. I haven't yet tried taking the photos at lower resolution to see if the shaking effect reduces. If I'm REALLY careful I can get decent shots at high resolution, but end up blowing far more time than I get decent shots for.

A nice gold image I took with my new copy stand and the new camera...

http://www.lincolncent.com/gold006.jpg

[Bob P]

Nice pic of the gold piece Chuck. BTW...when you are finished with that coin, I would be happy to take it off your hands for absolutely nothing!

[Doug]

A VERY nice pic of that gold Chuck! I've been looking for a copy stand as well to steady my old hands. What did you get and where? Sure seems like a winner.

[coppercoins]

I got it at Lawrence Photo here in town for around $50. It busts down with four screws and is carryable in a $15 tote I bought there too.

[Jack]

Chuck have you tried www.CoinOptics.com for the
"scope to camera" adaptor. I got one from Larry Brooks at the Fun Show in Orlando two or three years ago, it may be what you are looking for.

[coppercoins]

It's probably exactly what I'm looking for, however, it will have to wait until after the first of the year. Our budget is tight enough that Christmas will be a bit sparse as it is. Buying any more stuff right now would just be wrong.