Hello all - I'm wondering if you have any pointers when photographing PL/DMPL coins. I have a numismatic photography book that has been incredibly helpful photographing UNC coins, but isn't of much help with PL/DMPLs. Equipment wise I currently use: Nikon D3300 w/extension tubes Copy-stand Two Gooseneck Lamps If anyone has advice on how to properly photograph these coins or any additional equipment that would be helpful I'm all ears! Thanks.
For prooflike coins, you often have to treat them as you would proof coins. Try some of the proof coin techniques mentioned in that article. As a point of reference, could you show us some of your current pictures? We may be able to provide more pointed guidance if we see what you're currently shooting.
The classic technique for Proof and PL coins is the ringlight. The ringlight must be big enough in diameter, or close enough, such that the light that reflects off the fields does not shine up toward the lens. The light that hits the devices, since they tend to be "rough" (especially if cameo) will scatter, so you will get bright devices and black fields. If you're looking for the recently-popular bright field technique, then you need to use axial lighting. This maximizes the reflection from the fields, and gives the opposite type of contrast.
Here's a link showing the results of the two techniques: https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=141101 Here's a link showing how to set up axial lighting: https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=125365 Here's one coin photog's method of implementing a ringlight, which is actually a lens-mounted diffuser: https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=324472 This link has a good diagram of the axial technique: https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=109798 And this link (middle of page 2) shows a ringlight setup for dark field proofs: https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=90681
