Depth Of Focus

Thanks Maltuna

I am going to have to try and manipulate the f stop I guess and see if it helps.

I try to take all my pictures perpendicular to the coin, and it ususally works pretty well. Sometimes certain things cannot be seen from a directly above angle - this is where the problem is. Increasing the f stop number will probably help, but the longer shutter speed will surely not. I have a small tripod but using a loupe over the lens does not allow me to really steady the tripod, only use it to semi-steady my shaky hands, more zoom...more shaky !

Thanks for taking the time.

I agree with bobby. That's what I do with my 7.2 camera. The only pain is trying to get enough light when your that close.

Examples:

Thanks for the help guys. I guess I am used to cameras that don't have the megapixels this one has. I have taken more without any magnification and they do seem pretty good, although they do seem to pixelate upon zooming just a bit before I would like them too.

This Kodak apparently does not have a "Macro" mode, but it does have a picture of a pretty flower that says for objects less than 28 inches away, using that I can get between 2 and 3 inches from the coin, but no closer. The pics I am getting are fine for grading and showing off, but they may fall short on smaller coins. Dollars fill the field at 2.5 inches but not cents, and I cannot get in closer.

Taking the pictures straight on is not that much of a problem , it is the angle pics I need sometimes I was looking for tips on. When trying a side shot from an angle the focal point diminishes drastically in front and behind the center of the image. I can increase the depth by getting farther away, but then I lose the detail I was trying to get. I also have a very hard time doing those shots with the tripod Metalman, it is not quite that adjustable so I hand hold those which makes it even more difficult.

A relative newbie to digital photography, it sure would be easier to use my Canon T50 (yea it's old...but I like it) , but then I can't share as easily and it cost alot to develop that film !Thanks for the tips guys, I hope the help shows in my later post with pictures.

If your camera has high megapixels such as 7 or 8, just take the photos and crop them for the part of the coin you want in most standard photo programs for a computer. No need for photoshop, there are tons of other products that do the same. Coral has one. Many others out there.
Also, pending the camera, look at the front of the lens. If there is a treaded end you may be able to buy a enlargement filter that screws onto the front of your camera. Howver not easily available just anywhere. Usually a decent camera store or on line camera equipment organizations. Most use https://www.bhphotovideo.com for on line camera info and equipment. Order a catalog, they are free and full of info.
Another method is to acquire a magnification lens on a stand. Some with lights. Then place a coin under it and take the photos at will. All sorts available at most scientific organizations. Try https://www.sciplus.com request a catalog and check out page 40.

Eaglefoot ,,you may need to change your source info ,,I know that my photo program reads my camera on F not E which is used for my memory sticks .

what program opens when you plug in the memory card ?

Metalman

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The only pain is trying to get enough light when your that close.

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Use optical zoom on the camera. I don't know why you guys don't recommend using zoom. From my experience, it's the best way to make sure you don't block any of the light. It certainly can't hurt as long as you don't use DIGITAL zoom. I used zoom on every image posted on this forum, I like changing it from 1.8 to 2.8 along with different light angles.

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Use optical zoom on the camera. I don't know why you guys don't recommend using zoom. From my experience, it's the best way to make sure you don't block any of the light.

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I don't know if anyone is experiencing this, but when I try to use optical zoom with my point and shoot, the camera has to be quite a distance away. Then when you zoom in, you can only do so much before it gets blurry. Then when you take the photo, you only have a tiny image of the coin. That's why when I take my photos, I usually have my camera an inch in a half to three inches away from the coin. I'm guessing people with DSLRs have no problems with this.

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It certainly can't hurt as long as you don't use DIGITAL zoom.

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I agree, it's the devil. I have it blocked off from my camera.

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I used zoom on every image posted on this forum

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How far away is your lens from the coin?

To the OP...you've got plenty of pixels to allow you to photograph from a few inches away and then crop to nearly 1:1 to give a usable-sized and detailed image. You will have to support the camera, though, with a tripod or some other means, would be my guess in order to get the sharpness needed unless your Kodak has some form of image stabilization. If you can control f/stop, try to be between f/8 and f/11 or so, to give a fair depth of focus, and be very picky about aligning your coin and camera lens so both are in exactly the same plane.

When using my Canon 3S IS I found the super macro function to be useful, but you really have to play with lighting to get a good, even exposure because you are often an inch or less away from the coin.

Its challenging to get good coin photos...but also rewarding.

Good luck.