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 Digital Cameras and Photographing Hallmarks
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| Author | Topic: Digital Cameras and Photographing Hallmarks |
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Waylander Posts: 116 |
posted 01-25-2005 04:49 PM
  
Hello all I'm just started investigating buying a good digital camera to enable me, amongst other things, to photograph the hallmarks on my silver. Given the amount of good photography on the Forum, I was wondering what camera people used, specifically the level of optical zoom and the amount of mega pixels. The camera I am thinking of is a Fujifilm 3500, with 4 Mega Pixels and 6 x Optical Zoom. Would this be sufficient? Additionally, does anyone have tips regarding lighting and backgrounds when shooting hallmarks i.e. should I use a white background, and where should the light be coming from? All contributions much appreciated Thanks all Waylander IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 2501 |
posted 01-25-2005 05:15 PM
I have a 5.1 megapixel Panasonic DMC FZ10 with 12x optical zoom. I have a shooting box built with frosted diffusion panels; lots of light, but little or no glare. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2180 |
posted 01-25-2005 06:01 PM
This link and this onemay be of help. This site lists cameras good for macro (close up) work, and this one has excellent hands-on reviews/tutorials of most digital cameras. [This message has been edited by swarter (edited 01-25-2005).] IP: Logged |
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sazikov2000 Posts: 254 |
posted 01-26-2005 05:54 AM
Using a scanner with the highest resulution is sometimes better than a digicam (small objects like spoons, hallmarks, details, etc.). IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 661 |
posted 01-27-2005 02:03 PM
The thing to look for is a "macro" function. This is kind of the opposite from a zoom lens in that it allows you to get your lens very close up to an object. When you see a professional close up photo such as dew on a rose it was shot with a macro. Not all digital cameras have macro functions, especially the very inexpensive models. Zoom functions (digital or optical) won't give you the same level of detail and clarity as a good macro function. Perpaps the second most helpful feature is to get a camera with external threading around the lens to permit you to buy and screw on suplemental filters, and then buy a polarizing filter. Polarizing filters cut down glare and reflections which are common problems with photographing shiney items, but they also cut down a bit on total light coming through so you either need to be sure to increase your light source a bit or be sure your camera can capture enough light in an indoor lighted area to compensate. Polarizing filters also have the bonus of making your regular outdoor photos really pop with extra color saturation and contrast. Again, lower priced cameras may not have this threading to allow for filters to be added. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2180 |
posted 01-27-2005 06:46 PM
If a camera can use filters, you can also add supplementary close-up lenses or "plus" lenses. They come in sets of +1, +2, and +4, and can be stacked if needed, or singly in powers up to +10. For photographing silver marks with cameras that do not take interchangable lenses, supplementary lenses are a necessity for most, even those with a macro setting. Cheap supplementary lenses will be blurry at the edges; higher powers may be sharp only at the center, if at all. [This message has been edited by swarter (edited 01-27-2005).] IP: Logged |
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IJP Posts: 316 |
posted 01-31-2005 12:17 PM
I use a Nikon Coolpix 8700, on a user setting I customized for the best images. I am absolutely impressed with the capabilities of this camera in macro-mode, and it has numerous other applications as well. It's versatile and easy-to-use. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2180 |
posted 04-09-2005 02:19 PM
quote: If you plan to use a polarizer with a digital camera, be sure it is a circular polarizer (it will be so marked on the ring), rather that the older linearpolarizer (which probably will not be marked as such). IP: Logged |
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Scotia Posts: 125 |
posted 04-12-2005 12:36 PM
Hi there, I use an Olympus C5000Z, 5MP Camera. It has a "Super Macro" mode which enables you to take a clear picture really close up, so it is ideal for hallmarks. IP: Logged |
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Clive E Taylor Posts: 316 |
posted 04-12-2005 03:12 PM
Couple of points which may help. Scanning -If the object is flat enough and you can scan the mark, this works really well. It's worth trying positioning the object in different positions on the scanner and different axial alignment as this does vary the result. Soft boxes. Bubble wrap (the clear variety -Not the coloured type !!!!) is a very good diffuser and a piece or two of aluminium foil -(available free from your kitchen!) IP: Logged |
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Waylander Posts: 116 |
posted 04-14-2005 07:08 AM
Thanks to all for their replies. Kind regards Waylander IP: Logged |
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