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 Replies: 13 / Views: 782 |
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CCF Advertiser
 United States
1318 Posts |
I just put up a 6 mm 0.16 gram coin and as always did my best with my decades old 12x Nikon Coolpix. I hold my arms around a pillar in my basement I lean on to steady myself as I photograph with like 5 incandescent lights. I am starting to look at photos others are doing and clearly they are using some great cell phone telephoto options just holding the coins on their fingertips. But, from my experience, lately my new phone is taking photos and enhancing them of my backyard or whatever when I did not ask for that and I just don't trust AI not to try to help me when I certainly don't want it's help. Just wanted to put that out there as I can't justify my way of photography much longer. Edited by louisvillekyshop
08/25/2026 9:06 pm
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Moderator
United States
34570 Posts |
@lou, yes I get the feeling that my phone is also adding an unasked-for AI component to pics. I'm going to move your thread over to our photography subforum in case someone there has some ideas.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Moderator
United States
109641 Posts |
I use my cell to image all my coins. the photo below is my VERY simple setup. (I do hold onto the table top to keep me steady though) I set my phone camera to a 5x zoom setting and just hold the phone directly above the coin, allowing a bit of space around the coin so I can later rotate if needed then crop to the edges.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3636 Posts |
Rarely do I use my iPhone for taking pictures of my coins. I'm on the way overkill side of the equation using my Pentax K1 full frame DSLR on a tripod with a 90mm 1:1 macro lens. My lighting are strobes that are triggered by the shutter. For shots like this. You can enlarge it as well.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10030 Posts |
Great pics, can we see a pic if your setup, please.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3636 Posts |
Sorry, I just saw this. I'll get a picture of my setup sometime tomorrow.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3636 Posts |
Sorry this took longer than expected and please forgive my messy studio. There's been a lot going on in there over the past month. Here are two shots, one of my main setup and the second is of a setup I built for my phone for those instances where the phone makes more sense. Picture 1 (Main Setup)  On the first picture I actually stand the coin up against the black background and then take the shot straight on the picture. Picture 2 (Phone setup)  On the second picture there is a MagSafe phone mount attached to the top that allows my phone to hang over the edge and take a picture straight down on the coin laying flat. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10030 Posts |
Very interesting layouts on both , thanks for posting.
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Moderator
United States
197760 Posts |
Impressive!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3636 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
109641 Posts |
Well, I suppose that is one way to get nice images  (very nice set up) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3636 Posts |
Thanks Dearborn. My setup cost is not for the faint of heart but when it's your profession. |
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Moderator
United States
109641 Posts |
well you are very welcome!  |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
My first attempt with my Galaxy S23. Pointing down over edge of small book stack, single source 4k LED set back across coin. Manual settings. It could be a lot better but it will work for now.  |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 782 |
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Posted 08/25/2026 10:13 pm
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
