Help Getting A Picture

You most likely don't need to use macro mode, but when you do use it, you should be using some kind of tripod and timer delay so it's completely hands free.

First we will need to know what equipment you have for imaging in general. Do you have a tripod, a copystand, etc. What type of lighting? Your color looks pretty good, so you probably won't need to mess with white balance too much.

My suggestion, start simple. Grab two stacks of books(5 or 6 high) and form a wall on both sides of the coin. PLace the camera on top like it was a bridge. You will probably be 7-8 inches away hopefully. Have the camera on regular full auto, focus, turn the timer on, and take a shot. You will be able to crop and resize it from there. Make sure there is plenty of light as well. Show the results here and we can work from there. What type of camera anyway?

When you start getting into more detail on the pictures, we have resident experts that can take over.

The book idea was only if you didn't have a tripod. On the tripod, are you pushing the button or are you using the timer delay feature? I would make sure you are hands free. I would also take the tripod up a bit, use full auto without macro mode, zoom in as far as you can where it will still focus, and take a picture. this will allow plenty of light in, and should also get rid of any shake regardless if it has image stabilization.

Then just crop and resize.

I'm new to collecting but have found that my scanner works pretty well but I do have to remove the coin from the sleeve for it to work.

Looking at the photos lighting is a big problem! Look at some of the photos I have posted they are all free hand! Try something simple 1st.

1st go out and get a 5000 lum light bulb they cost about 4.00 dollars

2nd Set the coin at an angle where the light is not reflecting directly back at your camera as that tends to bleach out the photo.

3rd Use your elbows as a tripod and look for just a single point on the coin exhale slowly keeping your sight on the spot and squeeze. Think of it as being prone shooting a rifle.

I will post a pic of some angle to try as lighting is 1/2 the battle and light glare is a killer.

First, stop holding the camera to shoot. You will not get a satisfactory shot without the camera on a solid mount. Drop $20 on the cheapest Best Buy tripod; it'll make you a hero in your own eyes.

Second, use a delayed shutter. Your hands introduce a shake into the camera when you press the shutter, regardless of how steady you feel.

Third? It doesn't matter. Do those first two, and the rest will be easy. We'll talk about it then.

Here is a copy of a previous post....

This is how I take my pics, with a few of Bobby131313's ideas.

Prepare a black background and mount a screw into it, then add some felt on top to hold the coin in place.


Balance the coin on top, lean the coin to one side slightly if you have to, to save reflection from coin.


Place cut-down juice or milk container over the coin. This not only stops glare but gives you a steady platform for taking the pic. Try different length containers until you find one that you can focus closest with.


I then place an old magnifying glass on top to increase the size of the pic. At this point you could place a piece of paper with a hole cut in it, and shoot through this to stop the glare of LED's.


I then shine light through the side of the container, this stops the glare. You can adjust the height of the light to add or subtract the amount of light on the coin surface. I only have one light, but two might work better.


This is the coin pic after editing in Microsoft Picture Manager.
No colour adjustment, just cropped and darkened a little. All this on fully automatic setting on the camera.


Hope this helps

This is how a Sac comes out...


Steve

Hello,

Am I close?



Thanks,
Rich