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 Replies: 40 / Views: 4,861 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
I live near Syracuse, and my camera, lighting, and skills are less than desirable, and I guess I just don't want to invest in what it would take for ME to take a couple of photos sell one PCGS 1909 S VDB on ebay. Figured there's nothing to lose by asking if there was anybody that I could employ in my area. I would have tried to use the original sellers photos, but they were worse than mine  Then there's the other idea, maybe unconsciously I don't want to sell it.  I've seen some advertisements for some coin photographers on the forum, and I'm keeping them as an option. Also an investment in a couple of Jansjo lights would probably make a difference. Actually don't think my pictures are "that" bad. But they probably are! There is a bit of reflection, and when you zoom way in the quality deteriorates...not sure what that's about. Would it help if I posted a couple of the photos for suggestions? Thanks. Ed |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
Post some pics Ed, would love to see them...we'll be gentle...Ray
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7375 Posts |
A guy actually sent me an ebay message and said that my photos "suck." I think that motivated me.   Here's a couple of photos with white and dark grey background. Ray, you helped me a lot with the raw SBAs, but this amimal is a bit more frustrating. Thanks. Ed |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
Ed, I think you need to start by not trying to get the entire slab in the photo. Start with just the coin itself close up. The entire slab picture can just be a verification picture in your listing. Get up close and personal with the coin and we can go from there.
BTW, what are you using for equipment?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Thanks! Am using a tripod and a Kodak Z1485 IS, which has a 35mm-175mm lens. The lighting is fluorescent. I can probably get a little closer....will give it a try. Should I post it cropped or uncropped?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Here's a couple raw uncropped. I've probably taken at least 200 pictures of this coin in the last month. The first one is with the coin raised up about 5", and the tripod all the way down. The lens is about 7" away. Any zoom at all will blur it.  The second one is with the coin flat on the desk and tripod still down all the way, so the coin is about 12" away. I was able to use minimal zoom, but any more will blur it.  The third on was with the coin flat on the desk, and I raised the tripod about 6", and the optical zoom was maxed out.  Oy Vey! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
919 Posts |
I had luck taking pictures of slabs outside. Regular lighting indoors will not work. I'm surprised you can't get a little closer before cropping. With my 50mm lens I am able to get to where the outer circle of the slab is all I see.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
On the top of your camera select the SCN(scene) mode. From there I think you use the 4 way button next to the display and you can select macro mode which should allow you to get up close and personal with the coin. I don't see specs for how close you can get, but typically with macro mode, you can get closer than adequate lighting would allow anyway.
Let me see what I can do with your current pics as well. Are you at the highest resolution setting on your camera? I think the manual said it is a 14mp rig?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
Hmmmm, after thinking about this a bit something is definitely off, especially for a 14mp camera. I can use my 5mp camera from 7 inches and zoom in after the photo is taken and see a pretty clear picture. I would start by checking your current MP settings. I tried to just simply zoom in on one of your pics and it was not good.....Also, are you using the timer on the camera to take the picture, or are you snapping it yourself. Use the timer if at all possible.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Crap, I think I was using my Manual setting. Got used to the manual setting with the raw coins, and was getting used to being able to control some of the settings. Yes, I am familiar with the SCN mode, and the Macro (little flower) setting, but I think all the settings become automatic in SCN mode. Not sure I can even control the white balance, which is important with flour. lights. BTW I have tried outdoors in sunlight and the color is good, but the coin looks really grainy. Will try again, but might have to be tomorrow.....getting ready for work now. My camera is 14.2 MP and I'm using the 2 sec timer. I think the settings are correct, but will check again. Here's a link to a previous thread of mine with some photos of raw coins using Manual mode. https://goccf.com/t/160822&whichpage=1Better? Can't believe the plastic is wreaking this much havoc. Thanks much. Ed |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Had time to try a quick one before work. This is with SCN mode Macro setting. Could zoom in a little better (but not great,) and I actually used the flash with the coin tilted a bit. Will have to work on the hairline scratches a bit. Is this any better? Still bugs me that I can't focus/zoom in any better. Can I show the link to my ebay listing so you can compare to the current photos I'm using and tell me if this is better? Thanks. Ed  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
Hi Ed, depending on your macro capabilities, you should be able to get as close as an inch away from the coin if not closer. Curious how close you can get before it doesn't look focused. I saw your posts in your other link. How close were you on those shots?
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Hi Ed, depending on your macro capabilities, you should be able to get as close as an inch away from the coin if not closer. Curious how close you can get before it doesn't look focused. I saw your posts in your other link. How close were you on those shots?
Then you noted I downloaded his manual to get that stat, right? He's got 7.9" zoomed all the way out. Here's a suggestion, edweather. Use full Manual Mode, and force the Aperture to its' minimum of f5.1 and ISO at 80. This will give you the most-possible depth of field, and hopefully make the camera's focusing job easier. This will possibly require you to use a longer exposure and maybe more lighting; if you're using the timer, you can probably get away with an exposure as slow as 1/8 without introducing "shake." All you want here is an image of the slab, right? Or do you need the coin inside it, alone? Quite frankly, you're probably reaching the limits of this particular camera. Not all cameras lend themselves to coin photography. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
tights24, I was able to get as close as about 6". The specs say 7.9", so I actually a little closer than I thought I should. Those photos were all cropped. At least I was happy with the focus, and the focus stayed good if I zoomed into the picture. Hi Dave, Tights24 suggested that I concentrate on getting a good picture of the "coin" and use the slab for identification. I like that strategy, but frankly at this (frustrated  ) point, I really don't care what the photo is of, (slab would be fine) as long as a potential buyer can see a decent picture of the coin. Am at work now, but will try your suggestions when I get home. Small aperture, ISO 80, and slow shutter. Any suggestion as to light vs dark grey background. I kinda like the dark. Thanks. Ed Edited by edweather
10/29/2013 9:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
Quote:Then there's the other idea, maybe unconsciously I don't want to sell it. That is what I would be thinking if I had a S-VDB! I tried looking up your s/n to see if it was it was listed in any of the major auction house...no luck. There are a few companies that will take images of the coin, they may crack it out, that would probably be the best move. I have used an AGFA 8X Loupe with my digital camera (macro, no flash) and got halfway decent results with smaller coins;  Edited by oih82w8
10/29/2013 11:41 pm
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Any suggestion as to light vs dark grey background. I kinda like the dark.
No real preference as long as it's monochromatic; that'll help your camera get the color right easily. I was thinking you wanted to image the whole slab with my suggestions. If you want just the coin, you may be in for a rougher time because the camera is being fooled by the slab, and can't focus where you want it to, a little lower on the coin itself. |
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Replies: 40 / Views: 4,861 |
Posted 10/29/2013 09:39 am
