What A Difference The Lighting Makes!

I need to get a piece of glass out of storage tomorrow to set up axial lighting but I thought I'd start on a couple other techniques first. I tried my "final" setup, as well as the "down-reflector" setup documented in the "Coin Photo Setup" thread. Subject is a MS65 1883-CC that is toning in the holder (was blast white when I bought it in 1989, I hear this is common of old ANACS slabs). I had to change over to a Nikon 105mm lens as my PB-4 is unfortunately a bit too long to image a Dollar with the 75ARD1. Anyway, here are the images:

"Final" Setup


"Down-Reflector" Setup


I'll try to publish axial Sat night...Ray

I like the down reflector image better, and the second proof nickel.

Now if people would quit seeing how big they can make images, we could see them side by side.

SuperDave...is that you in the pic? Photoshopped, I hope.

I documented the down-reflector in the Coin Photo Setup thread. I also pictured a version in a couple other threads. Here's a link:

https://goccf.com/t/87392&whichpage=7

The one shown is simply white paper. But the one I used for the Morgan photo is cardboard covered with aluminum foil. The white paper version acts as a diffuser and you get very little luster, while aluminum foil version acts as a reflector and luster is supported. The extra distance helps the Jansjos look "bigger" and eliminates any pinpoint source issues, so they have not extra diffusion.

I'm actually surprised at how nice it came out, having only tried it on small coins before. Maybe I'll give it a try on some Cents again and see if I can get a better result than the Smile Directors.

Thanks for the attribution of VAM-5, I had not attributed it before and don't have a VAM reference. Is the info for attribution available online? Or do I need to buy a book?

...Ray

Thanks! Yep, it's a VAM-5 all right. Good info...Ray

SuperDave...Here is the link to the Rodenstock 75ARD1 page. Follow the tech specs link to download the pdf, and then you have to click inside the pdf to get the MTF curves...Ray

http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/en/...o-rodagon-d/

That is insanely close to perfect for a lens! My old EF 200mm f/1.8 is close but not quite as good on MTF and it is one of the highest rated MTF ever made. This one is on the list to get. THe last comment I made about one on ebay selling for $161.00 was incorrect that was the model II not the one Ray is using, they are a bit harder to find and cost a lot more it seems.

One more thing about the 75ARD1...it's actually an achromat, not an apochromat. It may be constructed like an Apo lens, but the LCA curve (bottom right on the MTF page) shows only 2 zero crossings, not 3, and no second downward inflection characteristic of an apochromat. So they can call the lens Apo if they want, and in fact a bunch of refs say that mfrs use the term "Apo" to mean "our best", but in reality it is not truly Apo.

And SuperDave, did you see they have a 120mm version of the ARD? They rate it from 0.5x to 3X. I've never seen one or heard of one being used, but it might be an interesting lens for someone wanting more working distance.

I've been looking at the MacroVaron 85mm f4.5 as well, not to buy but as an example of new lens tech. Actually, the tech is pretty old, as the variable-mag technology was developed by Nikon for their first-generation 150mm Printing-Nikkor (the newer "A" version is fixed at 1:1 optimization), but now Schneider is using it on the MacroVaron. At over $5k the MacroVaron is outside my reach, but is interesting to look at. The MTF's still don't match the Printing-Nikkors from the 1970's...

Here's a link to the Schneider MacroVaron page:

https://www.schneideroptics.com/eco...353&IID=6855

Aha! I did not see my title change. Too cool. Thanks for pointing it out.

Lighting is everything with coins. Well, almost. My normal priority list goes like:
1) Focus
2) Composition
3) Exposure

Actually, lighting isn't even in the top 3, but in general the assumption is the top 3 are already met. If one or more of the top 3 are lacking, it really doesn't matter how good your lighting is. But given all of the top 3, lighting is the next most important thing...Ray