Guidance For Macro Photography Specifically For Coins?

I can't wait! I just got the vertical setup...taking first shots now...

Much better. This is a tough coin to work with, though - the toning complicates color rendition. Further, if you're using "white" light from above and sunlight in combination, it's also complicating the situation.

One of the ways of measuring light is by "Color Temperature," expressed degrees Kelvin just the same way they do the color of a star. Typical incandescent indoor light can range between 2800-4000k, and normal sunlight is between 5000-6000k depending on time of day and cloud conditions. It really inhibits a camera's ability to properly correct for color when it has to deal with multiple light sources of differing temperature. That's why we advocate all light sources being identical.

The specific color temperature one uses as a light source isn't relevant, despite those who hold fast on recommending only "daylight" bulbs or some specific lamp because of its' temperature. An effective custom White Balance makes that irrelevant. But the necessity to use single-temperature light sources exists, and it's a step on the road to creating the best images you can.

Still waiting on EXIF data.

I have no idea, nor will I ever know. You're the one with the coin in front of you - you have to make that determination.

The purpose of what we're doing here is to equip you with a technique with zero dependence on luck, something consistently repeatable across all types of coins and all levels of luster, which allows you to set a coin under your lens and know you're getting it right within the first two or three clicks of the shutter. To that end, we have to move on a logical, step-by-step fashion, one thing at a time. Master one skill, then move on to the next.

I would suggest you make a trip to your local photography store and purchase an 18% grey card. Use that card to set the white balance(same way you did it with the photocopy paper) make sure the lighting is the same as you would use for the coin. B & H have some different options such as:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...y_Cards.html


even cheaper from Adorama:

http://www.adorama.com/DKGCP.html
Also when you take the photo step away.....( a remote shutter release would help) as light reflected from your clothes might be having an effect.

Trying to pair my remote shutter release with my Canon T3i can't seem to figure it out and do not have a manual. Anyone know how to do this? The release is a Pro Master infrared remote.

Thanks

Don't worry about what you see. It's just a reference for the camera to figure out how to render the non-white components of what it's shooting. My white balance settings come out perfect, but the test shot itself looks grey. Make sure it's a stack of a few sheets, and use a toothpick to achieve focus exactly on the surface of that paper (remove the toothpick, of course, to actually shoot).