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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,855 |
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Hey all, I just started collecting coins and such recently. I've been into photography for a few years, however, I never considered shooting the coins! I do have a DSLR and a light booth all set up at one of the places I work, so perhaps I can snap a few pictures tomorrow. In the meantime, I do have some instagram shots, lol.  1928  I hope my phone pics are ok! I hope to get some more professional looking shots up. I don't have anything too interesting to shoot quite yet though. |
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New Member
 United States
22 Posts |
 Lastly, a junk-pile.  |
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Valued Member
Canada
453 Posts |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
Hey Vanslem!
If you're looking for some more information on coin photography, there's a wealth of information in the photography section of the forum, including set-up guides and product recommendations.
In addition, try checking out the book Numismatic Photography by Mark Goodman. It's where I first started with coin photography, and it provides a fantastic overview on all of the aspects surrounding great coin photos.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1804 Posts |
Another newbie says Welcome
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Thanks for the welcome! I've got the gear, I've just not done it yet. I've dabbled in a bit of everything, though I could use some practice with the macro stuff. Cityscapes.  Cars (lots of cars).  Architecture (lots of that, too!).  Some model shots.  I have messed around with macro stuff a little bit, though it was long ago.  I bought a light tent about a month ago, as well as some constant-lighting for it. Again, this is snapped with my iPhone, so the quality is appalling, and the exposer is way off, however, I should be able to get some good shots.  Edited by vanslem6
02/10/2014 9:29 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Macro shooting is a far more mechanical undertaking than any other form of photography, and certain specific techniques work really well so for a photographer who knows the nomenclature of photography it's pretty easy to learn. Concentrate on 3 things to start: 1) Since dSLR, set aperture at f/8 (the usual best compromise between DoF and diffraction limit) and let ISO & exposure be the variables, although you'll want to keep ISO below the noise threshold of your camera. If you can't shoot 1/100-ish @ ISO200 with that aperture on a coin with any luster at all, you probably need more lighting. 2) Remote/timed shutter 3) Camera and coin perfectly parallel, on solid footing. Place a small mirror on what will be the coin's resting place, and adjust the camera to center the lens reflection in the viewfinder. That'll square you up quite nicely. I note you're hosting remotely, which is cool. Downsize & crop demo coins to 800px diameter and nothing but the coin (if you have the image that big or larger) - that's a good compromise for image size and filesize. Go up to 1000px if you can, as long as it doesn't end in 3MB files.  We have a lot of concentrated coin imaging knowledge in this forum; I'd offer the vain opinion that there's no better place on the Internet to learn coin photography. If you browse some of the threads here, you'll see why I'm making that boast. Welcome to the gang. |
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
Thanks, I'll do a little reading.
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Valued Member
United States
403 Posts |
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
^^ Thank you.  Ok, I played around a bit today. I learned a couple of things. First off, my lights aren't nearly as powerful as they could be. Secondly, my 'macro' lens doesn't shoot as 'macro' as I thought/had hoped, haha. I tried a few different things before getting back to work. Perpendicular.   Slight angle.   Edited by vanslem6
02/11/2014 5:44 pm
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New Member
United States
22 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Oh boy, vanslem6, you have come to the right place.
What our members do with cameras and coins is near miraculous.
You are going to learn A LOT!
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,855 |
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Posted 02/10/2014 8:48 pm
