Close ups

[digital_camera_guy]

How can I do close ups with a digital camera. Im selling wholesale coins on ebay and need to take some pictures of them close up.. but they just end up coming out blurry. Obviously I dont want ot go out and buy a digital camera for £1000, I just want to use my £150 3 million pixel one..

I did get some close ups just by putting a magnifying glass over the lens, but picture was too glary... I just want to know... to do these real close up do I REALLY have to buy an expensive digital camera ??

[Chunk]

You need a camera with a Macro setting that allows close focusing. Many less expensice point and shoot digital cameras have it. Check the specs of different cameras in the reviews section of this site.

[ken1953]

As Chunk recommended...make sure you are using your "Macro" setting. Your 3 mp camera should be sufficient to get in extremely close with plenty of detail. Your fuzzy pictures may be coming more from camera shake, rather from out of focus. Make sure to use a tripod or at least set the camera on something that won't move. Also, most p/s cameras allow a self timer. Usually about 3 secs or 10 secs...USE THIS!!! It will cut down on camera shake.
If your camera does not have a macro setting, then you need to look into one that does. Many cameras in the 150 pound (200-300$) range have it and take great macros. But, unless you are "rock steady", spend a couple of quid on a good table top tripod!!!
Ken

[Ronnoco]

Consider close up diopters at +1, +2, +3 that are like filters that fit over the lens. They can be used separately or together to increase magnification. That is by far, the most inexpensive approach. Depth of field is very small for close ups, so you need a tripod or vertical stand and a fast shutter speed. The best approach to shoot coins by the way is using a reflector off-axis to reflect light onto the coins and emphasize the surface texture and colour.

Ronnoco