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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,210 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
For pictures of coins? The thing is, either my digi-cam sucks or I just suck at taking pictures. What makes it difficult is my camera picks up reflections that even the naked eye doesn't see. I get the light just right, and the coin reflects. And slabs reflect REALLY bad. Either that or my hand/camera casts a shadow over the coin.
And for coins with some unique color, the color never turns out right.
Which brings me to using scanners. I think we all agree that the right photographer with the right camera can take fantastic, hi-res pictures. But I find scanners tend to take mediocre pictures, but they're consistent. And they're easy. Slap it on the scanner and you're done. I'm sick of having to do light and hand acrobatics trying to take a decent picture.
So do you guys think Scanned images are at least sufficient for selling/buying coins, even if it's not ideal? Edited by USArmyParatrooper
10/11/2007 12:04 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Show us some examples of you pictures. Whenever I use my scanner, it gives it a dull look, shows no luster, it's low quality, and small. So for me, I'd rather use my camera and torture you guys with my shoddy photo skills than with my junky scans.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1283 Posts |
quote:
Show us some examples of you pictures.
The one I'm having the hardest time with. OK, here's a couple OBV and REV shots. I can NOT get the color right on the obverse. The reverse I got really lucky, it's relatively close. The OBV looks mostly red, but really it's mostly a light grayish-green with a bit of red around the border.   I've made a few more attempts to photograph (and capture the color of the OBV). In this last attempt it looks more like a dull gray, when really it's more of a reflective lime-green with a tad of gray. Even pictures that come out half decent usually take time and effort. Certain coins like a Morgan I have with light, purple toning are impossible.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
668 Posts |
Are you shooting (Close to) level?
Are you using a tripod or copystand or something else to hold the camera still?
What is your white balance set at?
Are you using Macro?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Did you try to shoot the coin through a slanted piece of glass? I had a hard time getting pictures of toned coins, until I tried that. Here is my best one:  I did this one by putting it under an 100 watt(?) halogen light bulb. Ya, it washes out some of the details, and it enhances the color in certain areas, but it's acurate for the most part and it looks pretty. I call this my supermodel pictures because they're not life like. So, maybe this would be able to help with color? Edited by Amazon99
10/11/2007 12:42 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
quote:
Did you try to shoot the coin through a slanted piece of glass? I had a hard time getting pictures of toned coins, until I tried that.
You know, that just might work! The idea is the angled class directs reflective light off in a different direction, right? So you can properly illuminate the coin without having the light reflect right into the camera. Damn, you're smart! I'll try that! :) Edited by USArmyParatrooper
10/11/2007 01:24 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Actually, I can't take credit for the angeled glass, I learned it off Coin Community and I forget who posted that. Yup, using the glass works pretty well but just to let you know, your going to be playing around with it for a while and taking a bunch of pictures before you get something you like. Good luck and keep us posted with updates.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
I think there is something wrong with that Lincoln you have Jim check and see if you still have my address and send it to me so I can figure out what it is.:) I promise I will send it back (finger crossed behind back)
I use both scanner and digicam and I have also used the slanted glass to deflect the light and it works best for proof coins and toned coins
Good Luck on it
Gary
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
I hate scanned pictures of coins, they stink. What camera do you have? Does it have a macro mode?
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Scanners are OK to a limited degree. However, remember they are basically made for flat objects. Naturally the surface of a coin is flat but it does have somewhat of a depth perspective due to it being a 3D item. You would be much better purchasing a decent digital camera. Not an expensive one, but just one with a decent Macro setting. Digital cameras are dropping in price every day. With the Christmas shopping coming up, many stores will be having greast sales on them. And I think I've mentioned this previously. Try taking the photos outdoors. On a decent day, not in direct sunlight, you will not get those shadows, poor lighting, nasty reflections, etc. Also, a more natural color due to the lighting is natural. Try it.
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
We use scanner and everything you say is quite true.... I guess the biggest advantage is that everything we sell on ebay we find that since the coin is always better in hand than from the scan that everyone is always really happy.... probably costs us a little that we would get with better pics...but that's life... there was a really fast pic/scan system that was being developed for coin guys but they had a software glitch with it.... one day!! the idea was neat... put the coin down and you have with 2 secs a really great image loaded into your computer ready to go |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
Pics and scanners have different uses. The picture gives you a sense of this coin's color:  You can note some features in the scan you might otherwise miss, such as the doubling:  |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,210 |
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Posted 10/11/2007 12:21 am
