Cheap Coin Photography

The pics I've taken below were shot quickly just to illustrate the point that even without expensive equipment it is still possible to get relatively decent shots.

Had I taken a little more time, used a tripod, a couple of lights, I could have had far sharper pics. But the whole idea was that if I was a novice, there is still a way to get suitable pics for posting on the forum.

They are uncropped and the only adjustment was the contrast setting.

I've got a Sony Cybershot DSC-H50 (9.1) and a Kodak CX6330 (3.1). Because I'm familiar with my Kodak, that's generally what I use for taking my pics for posting.

What I've done here, just to show what is possible with a cheap camera and a loupe and a eyepiece from a broken video camera. I took these pics quickly without a tripod and only one desk lamp with a 60 watt bulb.

Pic #1 was taken with the macro setting at the widest angle (no zoom).



Pic #2 was taken with the macro setting at maximum (optical) zoom:



Pic #3 was taken with macro at maximum zoom through a 2.5X loupe:



Pic #4 was taken with macro at maximum zoom through an eyepiece from a broken video camera:





This is the equipment:

 

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good thread at the right time(for me at least). i plan on waiting to make new purchases at next months show. so this month i want to get my photography skills right.

all of my cameras are point and shoots. i have my old cannon 5mp(don't really use it). my sony cyber shot 7.2mp DSC-w70( i have tried to take some coin pictures with it, it seems to get nice close ups. but the macro is weird the pictures actually jump around when i go back and look at them?) then i have my new touch screen nikon 12mp. the nikon is what i have been using to get pictures. i just used a tripod for the first time. i also put a white screen up on my computer and put the coin in front of that, to give it a lighted background. i used macro, but not sure if my tripod was stable enough. should i make my own thread to post the pictures or is it ok to put them in this one? i only ask because my pictures have not been good at all, and am trying to perfect it as much as i can..

 

I plan on taking pics with the Sony as well as a comparison to the Kodak. I'll also try to do some artsy stuff depending on my work schedule.

It's up to you if you want to start your own thread, you can always just refer back to this one.:smile

 

I sometimes use a loupe to take detailed pics of some of my art bars. That helps a lot. I agree with you on that it does not take much money to take decent pics. I paid only about $140 at WalMart to buy a Polaroid T1031 digital camera (10 MP) and a memory card and an additional $6 to buy a mini-tripod to put the camera on. In total it cost me $146.00.

 

AAHHHHHhhh, yes nice photos but imagine how much better they would be if taken with a Hasselblad through a 50,000X electron Microscope? :goofer:

 

I miss my Hasselblad!

 

I didn't have a Hasselblad on my Electron Microscope, as film backs were considered not flat enough at that magnification, so we used glass plate emulsions from Kodak.
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I was going to say that those are great photo's for that equipment and that you must take lots of practice...but if you had a Hassey your better then that even...

 

ikandiggit: Very nice thread and a very good point about what you can do with little resources and budget. Excellent creative approach using the video camera eye piece and in getting to know your tools to obtain above standard results, above that of what we often see from those with limited resources.

 

I used the Hasselblad and a 4x5 Crown Graphic for my studio work. For "field" work I had a Nikon F2 Photomic, and a twin-lens Rolliflex and then in the eighties I used a couple of Nikon F3's. I quit photography in about 1988 and didn't take a picture until 2001 when I bought the Kodak to document my first art exhibit.

I also have a small collection of vintage cameras:

 

Thanks. It's all about knowing the limits of your equipment. I know that I can't blow pics up larger than 5x7 without getting adverse results so my pics aren't larger than that for my shows. Also, I think about what the end result should be and I work with what I have to achieve that, thus finding a lense (video camera eyepiece) to shoot through that gave me the macro images that I want.

For posting here or on other forums, the images I can make with inexpensive equipment are sufficient.

 

Good photos.

About a year ago I decided to photograph my art medals and select coins.
Picked up a desktop tripod from Walmart for $13.99 and a small copy stand that I really didn't need then taught myself axial photography.

If I started over I'd just buy the $13.99 desktop tripod and a couple of desktop lamps.

 

When shooting ultra close-ups with makeshift equipment, you have to be aware that the depth of field is very shallow and it may take several attempts to keep the area of importance in focus and using a tripod can make all the difference.

 

Just fantastic, very innovated work. Took all my excuses for not taking pictures of my coins away because I thought it required high speed camera equipment. I have all of the items I need right in front of me. Im going to practice. I just thought my cameras wouldnt focus to coin detail level.

Thanks for the tips,

Steve

 

Very good post and enlightening. Photos posted are very good. Thanks for sharing this.

 

Close-up lenses are a not-too expensive option to using a loupe in front of the lens. They are particularly nice if you have a camera lens that has filter threads on the front because the close-up filters can be screwed on and don't have to be held by hand all the time. Even if that isn't possible they ought to beat a loupe for photographic sharpness because most will have a larger area of glass to cover the the lens with. In any case, try out whatever magnifier is available and shoot some pictures. It's fun!

Lighting can be a challenge, especially with uncirculated coins because they tend to be more contrasty. A good free source of soft light is a window, as long as the sun isn't shining directly through it at the time. You may also try holding up a piece of white paper or aluminum foil to bounce some light back into the coin's shadows.

Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
www.pandacollector.com

 

Good tips. Close-up lenses (filters) are a good, inexpensive option.

Playing with the lighting can really improve image quality and also different lighting can enhance what it is you want to show in your pics. If it's a detail, side lighting with one lamp, even though contrasty may produce a better image than bounced lighting. However, for shooting the entire coin dead on, reflected or bounced lighting would be better. Diffused lighting gives a different effect as well.

Again, it's not having to spend a ton of cash. Just use whatever you have available.

 

Just Carl,

I have access to a TEM & SEM at work. Have you tried your electron microscope on coins? Im interested because you gave me the thought to use them for counterfeit detection. Just a thought.

Let me know,

Steve

 

Interesting thread. You've done marvelously with your equipment. I've tried the loupe thing a few times but can never seem to get a clear focus. Maybe more practice.

 

I'd like to see some of your art medals. If you don't mind, could you start another thread for them? I dont want this thread to be highjacked.

Chris