| Author |
 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,251 |
Page 2 of 2
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
123 Posts |
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
You've got the setup pretty well nailed - pics are large and nicely focused. Are you by some chance using natural sunlight for lighting?
|
|
Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
No, these were taken indoor without a flash but using a spot light. I use the macro setting and 2 second delay. I haven't invested in a light-box but if that will improve the quality I may but but think a better camera with a larger aperture would be the best investment.
|
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I'm not a fan of the diffused lighting of a lightbox. It's fine for bringing out details, but at the cost of luster. Like so (both pics are the same coin):   Only one of those looks like the coin actually does in-hand. Hint - it ain't the diffused-light one.  I note that the bottoms of those Lincoln pics are focused lass-sharply than the tops. That indicates the camera and coin aren't completely parallel - it's a place where you could possibly improve. Are you using (or does your camera have) manual exposure settings? I note you're using a delay, and guessing the camera is solidly-mounted - between those, you can likely slow the exposure down to as long as 1/4 to generate more light on the coin the easy way. That beats the cost of a new camera. What camera are you using? |
|
Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
SuperDave, awesome photos, both! I have a Canon Power Shot SD850 IS. I use a short tripod and am thinking I should be using a longer more adjustable tripod. I may take 15 to 20 shots and then try to use the best. Like I said before lighting is my problem, I have it, but getting the best use of it. thanks for any help.
Jack
|
|
Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
SuperDave, what type of camera do you use? I won't go the way of the lightbox, thanks for showing the results.
Jack
|
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
The diffused-light pic was taken with a 4MP Minolta Z2 back in 2006. The direct-light shot was an 8MP Canon 350D using a 100mm Macro lens. The SD850 is a nice camera, and should provide you with excellent results once you get it tuned in. Have a look at my "Project A720" thread, down the page a little, to see what can be done with a pocket digicam. As a synopsis, I was able to do this:  With this:  Don't be afraid to throw some serious light onto the subject. I was using two 50w Halogen bulbs in that series. Another thing - many of the shots you see me post here have been postprocessed using the Gimp. A little postprocessing in the interest of a more realistic picture isn't against the law. |
|
Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
This setup was exactly what I needed to see! Will experiment a little and with the manual settings on the camera. Thanks again,
Jack
|
|
Valued Member
India
229 Posts |
wow excelelnt pics I couldnt take those if I lived ot be a 1000 but then I dont have a oin camera either
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
If you follow SuperDave's advice you will be taking great pictures before you know it. My camera is getting close to 5 years old now and following the masters sage advice I am getting some very nice results from it.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
This is the same coin I photo'd yesterday and placed in the modern coin grading section. I believe this is an improvement, however, I am still not happy with the lighting. Still experimenting so this is going to be a work in progress.  |
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Remember what I mentioned about postprocessing?  Keep in mind, a little distortion is induced by the fact that the camera isn't centered perfectly above the coin. |
|
Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
The same coin but now enhanced   |
|
Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
WOW! Talk about three different coins! SuperDave, your enhancement is awesome and mine came out too dark. Yours is full of luster and mine isn't. Like I said this is going to be a work in progress for me.........
|
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
40% Sharpen, 20% added contrast and 30% less yellow hue in the Gimp. I normally only add 30% sharpen and 10% contrast, but with less-lustrous coins you can get away with more without making it look grainy.
|
|
Page 2 of 2
|
Replies: 17 / Views: 3,251 |
Page 2 of 2
|
First Page
Posted 03/17/2010 12:24 pm
