Taking Better Penny Photos

Depending on the setup you use, what works best for you is what counts. I use different lighting systems for my scope and for full coin images. I find on the scope you may have clearer images, but the coin color does look correct. Note the first three images:



But to show color, I use a different setup to get the correct color to show better:


The last two images I use a different setup for larger coins and full images for coins.

Kinda hard to answer a poll like that. Need definitive choices, as "what kind of lighting". Direct incandescent, leds , daylight, all the above...you asked too diverse questions in your selections.

Now, I don't have a phone at all! Dinosaur! So I can't help on suggestion other than daylight seems to work for most folks on lighting. For questions about an error, closer pix are needed, both sides, cropped down or initially focused in full frame. Lighting is crucial, too bright glares, not enough/indirect causes shadows that mask areas and tend to be out of focus. Have found LEDs work better for me, sometimes if the LEDs on my scope are too bright, I'll use an LED flashlight, tricky but works.

As to closeup, does your phone have macro? That may be what your using now? There's inexpensive clipon magnifiers for cellphones, might try one of those. My USB Microscope setup cost me @ $50, works great...there's even some for $20, but think you get what you pay for.

Your photo, focus OK, too far away to see details, need to crop image to frame, show both sides and add dialog on what is area of concern, what do you see? The indirect lighting is causing shadows, may affect details. That help?



Coop's setup is massive! He's the pix expert on coins so his is a fullblown microscope w/ high $ camera attachments, something I'd never be able to afford!

Lovely US CENTS photos.

The S7 is definitely capable of taking some decent coin pictures; I have an S6 and have gotten some good shots with it.

The are several factors that all come together (or not!) when taking basic coin pictures. One is the lighting. More light will shorten the amount of time the "shutter" remains open (using old world terms). Lower exposure time means you get less blur - because as you know, the S7 is handheld so it is critical that you minimize motion when snapping a picture.

Also, focus is key - you can access macro mode via the Pro Mode on your camera which will allow you to get up close and still focus. I usually tap the screen to force it to focus in a specific spot just to be sure.

The are better cameras and if you can mount the camera on a stand or tripod, you can minimize some of the movement issues - but you can do quite well with the S7 with some practice.

Marie, here's the setup I use, notice the screen pix, that's
's a close-up. With the standpipe increased in height by a cheap hobby brass pipe I can extend upwards to take full size pics of dollar sized coins.

I use an S7 for my pictures, and I think it does a pretty good job. Pro mode can definitely let you fine tune so you get more clarity. I also recently bought a little macro lens called Easy-Macro. It was about $10 and works well so long as you can get some light on the coin. Being able to create a stable surface for the camera is key to avoid blurring your photo when you take the picture. I use a thick book for shots of an entire coin. A DVD case for the macro shots. =p