Nikon vs Canon

[ray_parkhurst]

Finally sprung for a Canon camera to compare head-on to my Nikon. I've been wondering if Canon's EFSC "Quiet" mode would help with coin photos.

The comparison is between my existing Nikon D7000 ($1400) and a Canon T2i ($500). The setup is Bellows mounted on modified Microscope Stand, with Rodenstock 75mm f4 Apo Rodagon D M1:1 Lens.

edited to say that the jury is still out. First impressions are not always what they seem to be...Ray

[Antiquity]

Ive been looking at the T2i, let me know what you think, for the price point it seems like a steal......

[ray_parkhurst]

Turned out the first comparison shots were not fair to the Nikon. I had turned off all sharpening on the Nikon, but the Canon was still set to sharpen. This created a false impression.

After turning off the sharpening and trying again, here are the 100% Pixel level details between the two:

Nikon


Canon


The result is the same, the Canon clearly wins for sharpness, though the difference is less dramatic than first impressions.

I'm expecting the differences to become larger for higher mag shots. That's an experiment for later today...Ray

[Rollem]

Well Ray, all I can see so far is $900 LOL

Any other reason for me to spend $900 Please tell us

James

[jfines69]

IMHO the nikon shows more of the detail than the canon... Especially the "T" and surrounding area... However that could just be the lighting!!!

[ray_parkhurst]

The Canon is not as robust as the Nikon against blown-out details. The loss in detail at the rim near the T is blown-out, not really lost. The lighting is exactly the same between the two.

Where the extra sharpness is most apparent is in the midtone regions with a lot of texture. There is a small dent at the bottom of the T, and just above it is a small group of bumps. The texture of the bumps shows much better on the Canon. It's this midtone texture at 100% mag that is the main difference between these images.

[RWBILLER]

Looking at 2i also.
Rog

[ray_parkhurst]

Well, after living with the T2i for a while now and running it through its paces, it is "permanently" mounted on the bellows as my numismatic photography camera. I've found the following in comparisons with the D7000:

T2i is immune to shutter vibration effects. This only shows up on high mag (variety) photos and at 100% pixel detail at lower mags.
T2i gives better color representation with less fuss and post processing
Canon tethering software has better (bigger) live view window and a live histogram, which is very useful
D7000 has better immunity to blown-out highlights
Nikon tethering software has better camera adjustability functions, and better Manual exposure control functions

So my recommendation if anyone is thinking of getting a new camera for coin pics is to go with the T2i. For <$500 it is a steal compared with the Nikon, at least for functionality. Not sure yet about reliability, etc but I've never heard anything that would steer me away from Canon in this area.

Ray

[coppercoins]

I personally like the Canon shot much better.

Ray - I have been very busy of late and have not responded to your PMs. Believe me, I am not ignoring you or your assistance in this matter. This, however, must go on a lower priority for now, at least until I get the Jorjo lamps and test them. They could be the solution to most of my problems. More later...

[RWBILLER]

Ray
Thankyou - we have decided on the 2i - where did you buy it?
Rog

[papascoins]

I don't know much about photography. The Canon pic, it seems, is only sharp, or 'focused' as you go closer to the center. Looks like the Nikon keeps its focus throughout the shot. (It's like you said, 'blown-out' details near the edges.) Just my opinion!!!!!!

Looks great though! Maybe someday for me.

[ray_parkhurst]

No worries Chuck. Just let me know when you are ready.

The Jansjo's are great, though I highly recommend building some form of the "Directors" (Diffuser-Reflector) I've been developing to minimize hotspotting and chroma noise problems they can cause because they are such pinpoint sources. They create EXTREME local contrast. That said, I've seen some excellent results with two un-diffused Jansjos at 10 and 2 with a diffused one at 12. The 12:00 one gives an overall diffused illumination that reduces the local shadow contrast of the other two lights.

I've built a range of "Directors" for various purposes, including a very effective one for high magnification. I've published results for most of these on another forum's Coin Photography subforum. I wish we had a photography sub-forum on LCR. The posts I've made here recently have garnered a lot of interest and it would be nice to have them segregated from the rest of the traffic as they are pretty specific...Ray

[ray_parkhurst]

Bought mine on Amazon for $499, free Super Saver shipping...Ray

[Roller]

I see the T2i for $470.00, free shipping (body only). Was going to get the D5100 but for the price I am looking at the 2i as well. I mainly need the live view that I don't have with my D70. The 18 meg of the 2i does not hurt either. As for the jansjo, Ikea is out of them (in Florida anyway) and they're going for $17 on the net. Got 2 of them which also got me free shipping.

[ray_parkhurst]

I don't know much about photography. The Canon pic, it seems, is only sharp, or 'focused' as you go closer to the center. Looks like the Nikon keeps its focus throughout the shot. (It's like you said, 'blown-out' details near the edges.) Just my opinion!!!!!!

Looks great though! Maybe someday for me.

I don't see how there could be any focus or sharpness issue across either image since these are just small crops fairly near the center of the overall image. If this was a full image, not a crop, the story would be different...Ray