Setting up my camera stand. I see I need to do a lot better with lighting and settings, but I thought I'd share a couple of interesting items - one counterfeit (that shouldn't fool anyone) and one exonumia .
Even so, it's a nice start. One of the biggest problems I've noticed on these forums is that a lot of people try to take their photos with handheld cameras or cellphones, and the results are blurry. Try using two desk lamps positioned at about 10 & 2 o'clock at 45 degree angles to the subject. This way you get sufficient light on the subject, but it reflects away from the camera lens. Chris
Also, a good trick I've read here is to put a mirror under your camera lens. When you've got the lens level, you'll just have a clear circle of the lens barrel (otherwise it will be off-center.) Will help with making sure your whole coin is in focus.
Not the greatest images ever, but these were shot with my iPhone through the lens of the air-tites with a small desk lamp next to my bed. They are pretty close to the coins in hand but the luster is a bit washed out.
You must have one of those mattresses that you can jump up and down on and a glass of wine won't spill. Chris
How many lights are you using? It looks like you are using one light placed at 12 o'clock. You will have much better results if you use two lights and place them at 10 & 2 respectively.
No, just no wine yet. I find that if I use the full screen shot with the zoom on about 20% that I can get a decent representative image without too much fuss. I still want my old point and shoot though.
For these, I used a DinoLite. The light flare is from the LEDs. I was just experimenting to see what the microscope would do for a full sized picture. I think I'll just use it for extreme closeups and use my digital camera for the full size ones. I can get a nice full picture with the camera but I need to get better lighting. As you say, two lamps, one on either side, should do the trick.
I took this shot with a Cannon Powershot 1200 SD. No fancy light set up although I do miss my two goose neck Verilux lamps (the wife confiscated them for some project she was doing). Gots a Nikon D810 coming in a few days. Can't wait to try out the 105mm lens I bought on Saturday.
Shoot, I met him in Boston at the 2010 ANA. He gave me his book on Standing Liberty quarters. A real gentleman......
I didn't know that either. He helped me build my set of SLQs in the early 90s. I responded to an ad in coin world if I remember correct. Never met him, but was a nice honest dealer who was willing to work with a kid on a budget to get some nice coins.
