Taking Pictures of Coins

That's a good start. What's wrong with that? Just turn the pic. It just takes a little practice.

 

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Got it! This is a "junk silver" Walker I am just using it for practice.

 

You're the man. You're all over it!

 

Another test.

 

That is interesting. I ran a grading contest here for years using my $100 point and shoot, a couple $10 lamps and a stand made from scrap wood. Oh, and someone else was taking pictures just as good using and old 1 meg camera.

 

Looks nice and the focus is good, but you need more light in the shot.

Are you using a remote shutter? You can get a bluetooth one for a few bucks. Really helps to ensure clarity.

 

Here is your image simply adjusting the white balance. Not a bad picture! Not sure what you are using, but most all cameras have a simple adjustment built in.

 

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This was with my Iphone at 3/4"-4" from the coin. I pressed down on the phone and took the shot, no timer.

I am not familiar with a remote shutter. What is it?

Using an Iphone. I have a coin that I really would like to have graded by people on this site. I will continue to practice and put that coin up at another time. Thanks for the help all!

 

Hmm...something weird happened here...

Anyway, keep at it! If you have fun you've found a side hobby! I suggest Googling using an iPhone for photography, you may find some useful stuff. The first thing I learned was to read and understand my camera's manual (my new camera...not there yet...).

Not sure if iPhones will have a timer. A timer will delay when the photo is captured so you could hit the button and two seconds later the image is taken.

 

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/SelfieOnAStick-4088088-Bluetooth-Shutter-Remote/dp/B01923A3NY/

You mount your camera on a smart phone tripod and use the remote shutter to take the pic. The action of pressing the screen/button to take a picture causes the camera to shake, adding blur to the shot.

You can also pick up a clip on macro lens for the camera on the cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...=aps&field-keywords=clip+on+macro+lens+iphone

 

Yeah, it would be great to have a side hobby too. With coin role hunting thrown into the mix, I am plenty busy.

Thank you for the information! Will look into it.

 

You can delay the shutter on an iPhone. Heck, I can say "Cheese!" to my G3 and it snaps the shutter, designed for selfies. Imagine your iPhone can do something similar.

Play a bit with distance in small increments, to nail down the minimum distance at which the phone will deliver sharp focus. You're very close on the Morgan, probably within millimeters too close. I believe there is yet more optical sharpness to be had, as well as the aforementioned White Balance.

Then build some uncomplicated placement that allows you to duplicate that distance every time, even if it's only a stack of books the right height that you dangle the phone off the edge of. Slightly weight the opposite end for stability.

What little the phone will lack once zeroed-in, is easily corrected in postprocessing. And you're learning the lessons here which are the foundation of coin photography with any equipment.

 

I will focus on the distance. I was about 3 3/4" away. I will try a little higher.

 

I would venture a guess that the fuzziness he is seeing comes from your holding the camera in hand. I think your picture is very good for being hand held. You need to put the camera and coin on something firm - floor, desk, table, etc. just so long as it is very solid.

 

Sorry about the same coin but I am trying a new location than the one before. I am also using a Mac to get the photo up instead of a PC right now.

 

These don't retouch quite as bright as the last one, but they are clearer.

 

Do you think they are good enough to grade? That is what I am shooting for. If I can pull it off with just an iPhone I will have saved mucho dinero.