Should I Upgrade Camera Or Lighting?

I always have trouble shooting a dark coin through a scuffed-up slab. I'm guessing that experimenting with the lighting would be more productive than changing lenses, etc. Another alternative would be using Photoshop (or some other post-processing software) to alter the levels or boost the contrast, to account for glare off the slab.

I think your details are quite good.
As for "foggy" make sure your slabs are clean and reasonably polished.

"Color" is a whole 'nother world.
You have to continue to toy with lighting and camera settings.
And to make it more difficult each metal is different and sometimes even each coin.
As for your light sources you need to deal with brightness and type.
You want a "white light" source; that will at least contain the whole, balanced color spectrum.
You also need to deal with "white balance" every time you change the lighting.
And don't even think about DMPL or proof coins until you get a good handle on "normal" coins.

And keep copious notes about the what you did for each and every image.
Nothing like nailing it and not knowing how you did it.

I have 3 jansco lights. Previously I had ping pong ball diffusers on each. I have started experimenting with a cardboard cone "smile director" a la ray (rmpsrmps).
My white balance is done via the eye dropper custom white balance in canon's EOS utilities. My post production is done using Picasa (contrast/cropping)
The reason I think a new camera body may help is there are many options greyed out and not functional on the EOS utilities program using a rebel XS camera.

question Wizzy1 when you purchased the canon camera. did your camera come with the original software. I have learned after using a canon t1i, a canon t5i and a canon t5. that if you do not have the original software. say you go the canon site and down load there software. that is why you will have greyed out application. I know this for a fact. the camera will still work properly. but there will be app in there that will not apply to say your particular unit. just some information for you

The smiley cone should make a world of difference for you once you get it set up well. Your equipment looks like it's working very well, just need to get the lighting right.

First, I used the tungsten setting and got a better color result for this coin. See results below. The coin is pretty dark chocolate color in hand, I was just trying to "improve it a little" . I still think the custom eyedropper works better for silver coins



I'm having trouble with the smile director cone. Both my 75mm lenses lack threads at the end (omega el-omegar 1:3.5 or rodenstock omegaron 1:4.5). So the only way to attach the cone is to press fit it but this is not reliable and constantly needs adjusting. I imagine it will just stop working shortly. Any suggestions? I also am guessing in the dark about the block out circle and the tabs size and function.






As far as functions being greyed out. I did download the software from canon's site. My used rebel XS did not come with the original discs.
Ford_Prefect where in the mode setting should I look to enable more options in Live View. When I looked when I first got the camera and software I thought the more advanced options were only for higher end/later model canon cameras.

see wizzy I set a piece of abs pipe over my coins. you can also use macros tubes. my lamps are diffused with a Kleenex doubled. the abs pipe is 2 inch in diameter and the height is 2 inches. a 2 inch abs union will work as well. if you choose to use abs pipe go to the local hardware store. buy a can of flat black paint or military grad flat black. as that colour black will absorb light. that is why the military use it. you spray the inside of the tubes to cut reflections. this penny is in scratched plastic look at the lights. on the end of my lens is a piece of macro tube but I don't need it there.

just experiment more with lighting, is cheaper than buying a new camera