What Am I Doing Wrong!

Question;
As I am now using my manual 50 mm OM lens, I should be able to use an extension ring for the same . . . right?
There is no evil magic at work is there?
I would like to get a bit closer, to REALLY see how bad these shots are!

OK, got it!
Would there be any benefit to use the new auto gizmo, or would an old OM extension serve the same purpose.
Since I suppose I can use either.
I am thinking 25mm.

I have a set of extension rings on the way. Manual, so I will stay with my manual lens. Cheapo, but if a toilet paper tube will work . . . . . .

Everything I have done so far gives me the same results. Glare.

Move the lights all around. Use the axial set up. Big aperture, fast shutter. Small aperture, slow shutter.

Glare glare glare.

Blinding off of the angled surfaces, dark if I try to compensate for it.

Then I go to the Heritage site, or look at some of Superdave's work. Shoot.





OK, "stop" rant "stop"

Any thoughts on a polarizing filter?

Jon

I got the same results with the two superzooms I used for coin photography, the Minolta Z2 and Canon S2 IS. Never found the key; I progressed in terms of equipment before being able to solve the problem.

Your images are an order of magnitude better than I ever achieved with those cameras - that's a *stupid* nice coin, by the way - so I don't have any suggestions to offer yet. Great, sharp focus, decent contrast, but very noisy and the background is reflected in the image.

Can you arrange a lens hood? Can you force the ISO lower?

Heck, I have to get past the coin itself before thinking through the photography. May I assume it's an 1880 or 1881? That's a stonkin' reverse.

Oh, ....I can't use the word I was going to, here.



I have 9,000 coin images from my own cameras, going back to 2005. Ain't no way to remember them all. You've just pwned me.

The image you posted was an 1879-S. It was shot on 24 Jan 2006, with a Minolta Dimage Z2. 1/3s @ f/8, ISO 100 using ambient room light. The original image gave a coin diameter of about 1450 pixels.

This was before I understood the importance of saving originals; I have EXIF data for very few from that era when I was just learning coin photography.

Currently, I use an adapted track lighting setup with 1-3 gooseneck fixtures, each holding a 50w MR16 halgen bulb. It sits directly above the camera, and I can position the lights very close to vertical while still being able to achieve angles when I wish. That's harsh light; my interest is in presenting specific details rather than showing the coin in its' "best light."

Like so:



If I were interested in the latter, I would be angling regular tungsten or GE Reveal bulbs, one or two at about 30-45 degrees from the coin, using a gooseneck table lamp.

Not too bad. Could be brighter and a little less green. Fluorescent lighting gives off a green cast. The sharpness is good.

You'll notice a hot spot on the top of the head that's a little distracting. Once you get your brightness down, try diffusing the light to get it a little more even. Tissue paper in front of the light source is one option.

Louie, are you out there? Or any other Olympus users?
Did you ever shoot tethered to a computer?
My eyes are not what they used to be, and I would like to use a computer monitor to view while focusing. Something big. Make out some details.
Could come in handy for other things as well.
Is this easily accomplished?
I see some software available for purchase, but I am hoping it is easier than that.
Jon