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 Replies: 7 / Views: 2,134 |
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Valued Member
United States
211 Posts |
I am pretty proud of this shot. I am using a Canon SLR with the stock lens and a cheap 4x diopter in front. I find that two lights at angles on a copy stand tend to make flatten the coin. I have a bright spiral florescent light I run through a silk from the top and use a smaller light through silk to fill on the side. Depending on the coin a play with the lights. Its good to keep the lights as far away as possible to keep the lighting even.
I don't use a copy stand. Instead I prop the coin up on its side and use a regular tripod.
For the numismatists out there this is a detail from a 1955 Canadian Silver dollar called the Arnprior. Normally there are several waves coming right up to the bow of the canoe. The mint modified their stamps and lost some waves on a few coins.
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Valued Member
United States
188 Posts |
Very nice pic! I have yet to start learning how to photograph my coins. I think I can feel it coming. LOL
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
You are already doing very well.  Given the importance of keeping the coin and lens plane parallel, I might suggest laying the coin on a flat surface, and pointing the camera straight down at it. This might make it easier to achieve a parallel placement. Are you referring to the stock 18-55 lens of the Rebel dSLR's? I've been able to achieve acceptable results with it without a diopter, indicating that there may yet be room for refinement in your own shots.  |
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Valued Member
 United States
211 Posts |
[font=Comic Sans MS]Yes, I am using an stock 18-55 lens of the Rebel XSI, though I must say that I think I could achieve the same sort of shots with a camera several generations older.
The diopter allows me to get in serious detail like a microscope.
I don't really feel like dropping the bucks on a copy stand. Propping the coins up seems to work. Does anyone has a suggestion for how to inexpensively point the camera straight down? What sort of parts do I need?
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Does anyone has a suggestion for how to inexpensively point the camera straight down? You already have the equipment, if your tripod is full-size. That's how I shot the Morgan pictured above - with my XSi on a $25 tripod, pointed straight down at the coin. You also have lighting and color correction figured out nicely, and there's every reason to expect shots of very high quality. Are you using the tethering software which comes with the camera? |
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Valued Member
United States
211 Posts |
SuperDave,
I feel stupid. I have been shooting photos since I started doing darkroom work in Grade 7. Its so obvious and simple. My tripod works great! First time I tried I was using a low table and legs got in the way or the tripod was top heavy. A regular 28" desk works great. I am stylin'.
Tethering is the only way to go. I have a 30" Apple cinema display and it looks way cool.
Thanks so much.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
I have a 30" Apple cinema display and it looks way cool.
I thought I was Big and Rich™ with my 26" Asus. Now I'm jealous. If you have trouble getting a clear field of view because of the legs of the tripod, you can use a strip of plywood (or equivalent). 8" - 10" wide by a couple feet long, weighted with books on the back, it can extend out from the edge of the table to make a "shelf" which the tripod can fit right over. That makes lighting slightly problematic; I use a 4ft track lighting strip with gooseneck fixtures, like so: http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-F...alogId=10053Makes for infinitely-variable lighting that will extend right out along with the shelf, if I wish. |
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Valued Member
United States
211 Posts |
I bought my computer on Craigslist and the guy included the 30" monitor. I figured I would turn around and sell it for $1100. Once I had it home and set-up I got used to it really fast. Couldn't let it go. Don't need an extender shelf. The trick is to have the three legs come up to the height of the table. I get the rest of the height from the tripod's extension pole which is about 10". With the tripod's head set to vertical I have a 6" clearance, which is more than enough for a single coin. I use daylight fluorescent spiral bulbs on a stand. When I feel extra fancy I have a tent that helps defuse the light a bit.  |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,134 |
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Posted 06/06/2010 10:43 am
