Camera for up close coil pics...

[Jett.]

I've gotten some decent results using the camera on my phone, but to blow them up to poster size wouldbe a waste of ink and time. Here's an example:

As stated earlier lighting is key in these shots. I would definitely look into lower end DSLRs and a decent lense. Research macro photography to get an idea on equipment and techniques.

 

[Nate Rager]

I can get Ok results for forum posting with my phone. But i dont want just Ok. coils don't last forever and I really enjoy cresting them. I can't keep the coil forever, but I can keep a picture of it.

 

[dripdaze]

It all depends on what is acceptable to you as far as image quality. To get a good depth of field you need a small aperture. When you use a small aperture, you need lots of light. A proper macro lens will have good flatness of field which means that everything in the picture is in sharp focus. Anything less than a DSLR with macro lens and off-camera flash is a compromise.

 

[rurwin]

He also does a couple of videos on using a macro lens: Macro Photography Tips Part 1 - YouTube

 

[AttyPops]

A user here on ECF has one that he uses. He can measure stuff with it too. I'll PM him and get an answer for you. IDK prices.

Please wait......one moment please......etc.

 

[AttyPops]

PM sent. Would expect an answer within 24 hours.

It's a microscopic camera that attaches via USB.

 

[YuckMan]

Taken with Samsung Galaxy S3 in macro mode. There are cameras that will do it better, but do you really need one?

 

[EvilZoe]

Check your local pawn shops for a decent DSLR, get a small tripod and practice. There are some EXTREMELY expensive ways to shoot macro but with some practice you can do it with decent priced equipment. I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i that I use a lot and here's a picture shot with the standard lens on a tripod. The lighting was horrible but you'll get the idea.

I love my Rebel.

 

[mujuru]

well... here's a quick pic of a nano coil... 9 wraps on a 20g needle. (Amazing how imperfect my coil looks when looked at this closely... no wonder i never take pics of them... lmao... better to look at them with my bad eyes!!! lol.) .. anyways... no cropping so its a full size file (16Megapixels... not sure how big you can print off something like that... but there ya go)...

20140319173616Canon EOS-1D Mark IV16175345014 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

and just for size reference, this is built on an IGO-S deck... heres a pic of it with a 18650 in frame to compare.

20140319173747Canon EOS-1D Mark IV16175350019 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[sneakerpimp]

^ not too shabby for $7k in kit

 

[sneakerpimp]

from my Rebel..

iphone5...

 

[dfranks04]

I agree that you also do not need to go full on into DSLR/ Macro lenses to get good coil pics. DLSR photography is a very expensive hobby/ profession for good gear. I have a lot of stuff so feel free to ask any questions. My entry level pro setup is a Canon 6d (full frame) with many lenses but love the 100 L Macro. Maybe I should take a pic for fun and show you what it can do. 8^) BRB

 

[dfranks04]

For anyone who is VERY critical about photography. I'm no expert just something I love doing. Also note this was about 3 mins of work (including slight Lightroom work) with no tripod and ISO around 12800 in my basement office.

Everyone else... please enjoy the photo. 8^)

 

[Nate Rager]

Guess I'll push back 2 or 3 mods and get a decent camera if need be.

 

[Nate Rager]

I get that I don't NEED a good camera to get decent pictures for viewing on a computer screen.. But from what I understand if I want to have poster sized images of coils it would have to be a good one. Am I wrong?

 

[dfranks04]

Just for reference.. I quickly took this with my iPhone 5s the other day. Camera phones have come a long way.

If you have any questions on getting a nice camera please ask and I'm sure many of us would love to help. I have had and recommend a Canon Rebel t3i for someone getting started. I also have had the Sony NEX 6 (very nice compact DSLR) and the Sony RX100ii (non-DSLR) and both take great photos. Nothing compared to what I can do with the Canon 6d but its a very different and much more expensive setup.

 

[mujuru]

from my Rebel..

iphone5...

what lens you use on the rebel... and uncropped?

and yeah... my kit is pretty pricey, but i'm pretty sure the body makes minimal difference in this scenario... really, any dslr could similar, if not better. i slapped on the only macro lens i bought.. which i found to be 100% useless... well, until this thread popped up! lol... a 35mm macro isn't all that useful due to working distance. (Obviously, i don't shoot macro very much).

But anyways... my point really was that if you want to print large size, you need large files... so cropping pics out of the camera is a counter intuitive way of "zooming." For uses online, its fine... but large prints is a completely different ball game.

Also... it seems that most peoples pics of coils is useful and such, but not quite what i'd consider macro...

But to the OP... how close of a shot you looking to take of your coils? hell... if i was spending my time building some of those crazy intricate coils, i'd probably want to be all up in there so all those details can be seen up front and center... but that's me. and obviously from my pics, i don't take too much time building my coils... lol.

 

[dripdaze]

I get that I don't NEED a good camera to get decent pictures for viewing on a computer screen.. But from what I understand if I want to have poster sized images of coils it would have to be a good one. Am I wrong?

Once again I've gotta say it's subjective. What do you consider acceptable? Do you want posters that look good when you are standing right in front of them or from across the room? There is a bit of difference in those two situations. Both require a good lens and good lighting but you can get away with a little less camera to get results that look good from across the room.

 

[mujuru]

I get that I don't NEED a good camera to get decent pictures for viewing on a computer screen.. But from what I understand if I want to have poster sized images of coils it would have to be a good one. Am I wrong?

i'm not an expert at large prints or anything, but from what i understand: to get stunning large prints you want to be at 300dpi. But i hear that you can get away at 200dpi with decent results.

to give you an idea, my file was 4896x3264.. 16Megapixels. at 300dpi that's about 16"x 10"... and at 200dpi, you'd be looking at 24"x 16".

My recommendation is to start with the size you want to print, then work backwards from there.

 

[mujuru]

Once again I've gotta say it's subjective. What do you consider acceptable? Do you want posters that look good when you are standing right in front of them or from across the room? There is a bit of difference in those two situations. Both require a good lens and good lighting but you can get away with a little less camera to get results that look good from across the room.

Absolutely true!