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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,250 |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
Taking good photos is most likely very important to all of us but am just wondering what type of camera do you use to photo coins? Also, do you use any type of special equipment? I have done quite a bit of reading on the subject and also on this website but am never able to get the light just right so would appreciate any hints......
thanks.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
We have an entire forum dedicated to this topic. I'm gonna go ahead and move this there....
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
OK. Now that we're home....
Go ahead and post a couple typical pictures of your work, along with your opinion of what you'd like to be better. It'd make it a lot easier for us to comment.
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Valued Member
 United States
123 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
You've got the setup pretty well nailed - pics are large and nicely focused. Are you by some chance using natural sunlight for lighting?
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
No, these were taken indoor without a flash but using a spot light. I use the macro setting and 2 second delay. I haven't invested in a light-box but if that will improve the quality I may but but think a better camera with a larger aperture would be the best investment.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I'm not a fan of the diffused lighting of a lightbox. It's fine for bringing out details, but at the cost of luster. Like so (both pics are the same coin):   Only one of those looks like the coin actually does in-hand. Hint - it ain't the diffused-light one.  I note that the bottoms of those Lincoln pics are focused lass-sharply than the tops. That indicates the camera and coin aren't completely parallel - it's a place where you could possibly improve. Are you using (or does your camera have) manual exposure settings? I note you're using a delay, and guessing the camera is solidly-mounted - between those, you can likely slow the exposure down to as long as 1/4 to generate more light on the coin the easy way. That beats the cost of a new camera. What camera are you using? |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
SuperDave, awesome photos, both! I have a Canon Power Shot SD850 IS. I use a short tripod and am thinking I should be using a longer more adjustable tripod. I may take 15 to 20 shots and then try to use the best. Like I said before lighting is my problem, I have it, but getting the best use of it. thanks for any help.
Jack
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
SuperDave, what type of camera do you use? I won't go the way of the lightbox, thanks for showing the results.
Jack
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
The diffused-light pic was taken with a 4MP Minolta Z2 back in 2006. The direct-light shot was an 8MP Canon 350D using a 100mm Macro lens. The SD850 is a nice camera, and should provide you with excellent results once you get it tuned in. Have a look at my "Project A720" thread, down the page a little, to see what can be done with a pocket digicam. As a synopsis, I was able to do this:  With this:  Don't be afraid to throw some serious light onto the subject. I was using two 50w Halogen bulbs in that series. Another thing - many of the shots you see me post here have been postprocessed using the Gimp. A little postprocessing in the interest of a more realistic picture isn't against the law. |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
This setup was exactly what I needed to see! Will experiment a little and with the manual settings on the camera. Thanks again,
Jack
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Valued Member
India
229 Posts |
wow excelelnt pics I couldnt take those if I lived ot be a 1000 but then I dont have a oin camera either
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
If you follow SuperDave's advice you will be taking great pictures before you know it. My camera is getting close to 5 years old now and following the masters sage advice I am getting some very nice results from it.
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
This is the same coin I photo'd yesterday and placed in the modern coin grading section. I believe this is an improvement, however, I am still not happy with the lighting. Still experimenting so this is going to be a work in progress.  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Remember what I mentioned about postprocessing?  Keep in mind, a little distortion is induced by the fact that the camera isn't centered perfectly above the coin. |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
The same coin but now enhanced   |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,250 |
Posted 03/17/2010 11:37 am
