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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,303 |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
Don't know much about cameras; always used the simple point and shoot. When I started collecting Morgan varieties, I bought a Nikon D90 with an 18-55 mm lens attached. Pictures were coming out not to my liking. I was told that a Nikkor close-in lens (+2) for a 52 mm lens would be appropriate. Still don't think its working very well. Someone else suggested I get a Macro coupler ring, but I haven't done that yet because I don't know what to get that will fit my lens.
I am at a loss as I'm really camera handicapped. Can someone tell me what I might get to bring coins in close and still clear. I can't stress the fact that I'm camera novice who doesn't understand much about DSLR cameras, much less what attachments are available out there.
I would appreciate any guidance you can provide.
Rod.
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
What are you using for lighting? Your photos of your 1880 O look like better lightning could be in order.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2784 Posts |
hello rodmeader well first I can tell you. I started from being a new to this as well. I am still in the learning curve. I find thou it is getting a lot easier. there is some members here that are great leaders. they will walk you through the process of great coin photography. myself I have a Nikon and canon as well. when it comes to lenses I have purchase macro and enlarger lens. I would wait they will be on here soon sometime in the next little while and rod they will help that's for sure. if you listen to them it will also save you money. my photos are getting a lot better and there is a learning curve. I can tell you that you are at the right spot have a great one
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1037 Posts |
 rodmeader I am a novice coin photographer too, so you are not alone. I have found to take really good coin pictures you need the following: a detachable lens camera, a macro lens/adapter, a tripod, and additional lighting (two additional). I am using an Olympus Pen and had to go to their website for specific equipment information for my camera. I had to update my 14-42mm lens with one that accepts the Macro converter. There will be some trial & error as you dial in your system. Your camera is comparable with my Olympus. You shouldn't have a problem taking great coin pictures, but you'll need to get a few accessories as I have mentioned above. I suggest going to a camera store and picking the brain of a clerk about macro photography. Good luck and post some pix! Edited by welder
07/11/2015 6:40 pm
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New Member
 United States
9 Posts |
dave, the 1880-O Morgan isn't one of my pictures; just picked it out of Morgans that was available on an Avatar list. I think that's what its called. Most of my shots are taken with regular day light. I do have a desk lamp that has a day light type bulb in it and one of those attachable mechanic work light also with a day light bulb. I use one on one side and the other on the other side.
Glad to hear I've come to the right spot for photography help, rocky. Need plenty.
welder, I'll start posting a few as soon as read up on how to do image posting. There are very few camera shops where I live (Rock Hill, SC). I know of only one. I was hoping that the Technical Community College in Rock Hill offered a photography course; but, they don't.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1037 Posts |
You can always attend the University of YouTube.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
rodmeader...your 18-55 on D90 should do "OK" for full-size Morgans on its own. Set to 55mm, Aperture Priority, F8, and you should be able to get a decent shot. It won't fill the screen with the coin so you'll have to crop a bit, but quality should be pretty good. If you want to shoot variety details it's a completely different story. You will need additional optics, though unfortunately the +2 lens you bought is really not the best solution for either full-coin or variety detail shots. I'd like to see what you are able to do now. If you want you can email me (use the CCF system) a full-size image (don't crop or process) and I'll post it here with comments.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
Thanks. I'll e-mail you an image this afternoon.
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
rmpsrpms, I tried to send you an e-mail through the CCF system, but it wasn't allow because I'm a new member. How else can I get a picture to photo to you?
Rod.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
I just sent email to you Rod...Ray
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Rod, Sorry for the lengthy delay as I've been out of town for a few days, but the 1880-O I was referring to is the VAM-48 photos you posted on VAMworld. The lighting looked a little hot in places.
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
dave,
I'm still struggling with coin photos, but hope to produce more acceptable photos in the future. VAMWorld is the only place I've posted images. The problem I have is that before joining VAMWorld, I rarely picked up a camera; and, that was only when I was asked to take a picture of someone or something. Those photos were taken with point and shoot. I've never used cameras like the Nikon D90. I don't know what lenses I should have; and, for that matter, what lenses fit my D90.
Fortunately, rpmsrpms has kindly offered to see what problems I'm running into.
Maybe I'll get the hang of it someday.
Rod.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1602 Posts |
Hi Rod, I'm a Nikon shooter myself and the first thing I should point out is that Nikon calls their macro lenses "micro". That is, lenses that are specifically designed for shooting close up photography at about 1:1 ratio. Assuming you don't mind buying a new lens, I checked to see what sort of Nikkor-micro lenses they offer for DX cameras like your D90. It looks like the "Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR Lens" fits the bill. It allows auto focus within seven inches of your coins (I'm getting this info from Amazon.com; that's where I get a lot of my photo gear) and sells for around $275 [new]. A cheaper alternative is to get extension tubes for the lens you have, but go to a camera shop to make sure they will work with your specific camera. Tell them you're looking for something like "Auto Focus Macro Extension Tube Set for Nikon AF AF-S DX". That route will cost you < $100. For lighting you'd want even lighting from both sides or an inexpensive "ring light" or even two lamps on either side of your coin. I should point out that when you're photographing a coin, you want your sensor (camera body back) parallel to the surface of the coin. Of course this is just scratching the surface & please don't hold me responsible for things you don't end up liking. Yes, there certainly is a lot of trial and error to perfect your set-up. I hope this gives you something to go on; a sort of a research starting point. I second the You-Tube idea. Search for macro- or even 'photographing coins' Cheers! Biedercoins |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
Thanks for the information, Biedercoins. I haven't taken too many photos in my life; left it to more talented folks.
I'll look into the options you have given me. I like the idea of the Micro Nikkor Lens. That just might be the trick; but, I'm open to all options.
Rod.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1602 Posts |
One more thing that I didn't say that should have been in bold, use a tripod. There's just no better way to maintain that focus and parallelism of coin and camera.
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
I use a copy stand that has a 12"x9" base and 12" column. I also have a 5 foot adjustable tripod. There's carpet in my office so the tripod is subject to movement. The copy stand is solid as a rock.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,303 |
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Posted 07/11/2015 4:32 pm
