I wasn't really sure what area to post this question in?? But I have been trying to take pictures of some of my coins(some I have posted) and I can't seem to get any better pictures, especially that are closer. Does anyone have any advice in what I can do? I only have a 7.1Mp Kodak camera. I set it on the close up setting but I can only get so close or zoom so far, but it doesn't seem to focus right. If I had a camera that had a manual zoom I might be able to do a little bit better but I just can't seem to do it... Any advice?
If u had a scanner, Id say thats the best way. I could never get my camera to focus. Maybe someone will come along and help you out.
ya, i found it to be the best way for me. My avatar is a pic I got from my scanner. Really depends on what ur trying to capture
Alright sweet! Thank you both. Like I said though I have to figure out how the heck to use the darn thing(its actually my parents) and I might have to get one here in a few months when I move out.
Get the book it will be worth the price in the long run. Oh and scanners can never show luster work OK on mostly circulated coins. http://www.amazon.com/Numismatic-Photography-Mark-Goodman/dp/1933990090 I have read mine a couple of times.
Coin Photography- a few basics I have been taking shooting photos of coins for sale on eBay since 2005, and would like to offer a few pointers. In order to take great coin photographs, you are going to need the following: a clean, dust free environment; adequate lighting; and either a decent camera, or a good scanner. 1.) Camera: Digital cameras are getting more and more advanced every year, with formerly high-end features now trickling down to even the most basic models. My personal camera is a Nikon D3000 Digital SLR, it is at the bottom of the SLR range for Nikon, but has all of the features you need to shoot great photographs. You can pick one up new for around $450. When I first started shooting coin photographs, however, I did not have the advantage of an SLR camera; I was using a cheap, point-and-shoot digital camera ($>100), and still got good results. The important thing to look for in your camera is that there is a Macro setting, usually this will be indicated on the camera body by an icon that looks like a flower. When you are using this setting, the camera's computer knows that you are trying to focus on something small (like a coin) and will automatically adjust the focus appropriately. The other feature that you'll need is to be able to disable the flash, otherwise your coins will appear over-exposed and washed out. Another feature which is very helpful is anti-vibration; this used to be only available on very expensive cameras, but is getting more and more affordable. This feature allows your camera to compensate for your shaky hand, thus rendering the use of a tripod unnecessary. 2.) Scanner: A good scanner is capable of producing a decent image of a coin, but I prefer not to do it this way. You will need to be able adjust the exposure of the scanner to compensate for the high reflectivity of the coin, and not all scanners are capable of doing this. Even if your scanner is capable, and the resulting image is an accurate reproduction of your coin, your image will never have the character or warmth of a quality photograph (if that's what you're after). 3.) Lighting: This is the most critical factor in obtaining great coin photos. Ideally, you should use only natural light, as I do. Direct sun, however, will over-expose your coin photographs, in the same way that a scanner can. Therefore, the sunlight should be diffuse- like what you see on a foggy or overcast day. To reproduce this effect, I use is what is called a light tent, and I place this next to my window when the sun is shining through. If it is a foggy or overcast day, then I don't need to use the light tent. If you are unable to use natural light, and must use artificial, I've found that standard incandescent bulbs work best. The new compact fluorescent bulbs are horrible for photography, you'll never get a decent shot using them in a million years. 4.) Getting the shot: Experiment! You'll need to take lots of shots to get only a few good ones, especially at first. Try shooting the camera at different lengths from the coin, and at different angles. If it is a proof coin, it is helpful to have either a black background (when shooting at an angle) or a black outfit to wear (when shooting straight-on) as this is the color that will be reflected in the fields of the coin. For best results, you'll need to remove the coin from it's capsule or sleeve, though you must be very careful so as to not damage the coin. 5.) Image editing: Once you have your shot, you'll need to be able to edit it to make it look great online. Currently I am using Adobe Photoshop CS4, it is a very expensive program but one of the very best out there. You don't need to spend a whole lot of money, however; even the basic Microsoft picture editor that comes for free with every version of Windows will allow you to make all of the changes you'll need. Basically, you are going to need to crop your image, and then save it in a format and size that will make it possible to send over the internet. You'll want your final image to be in JPEG format, and 5 MB or less in size. If you are fortunate enough to have access to Adobe Photoshop, these are the 5 most important adjustments you'll eventually want to make with almost every coin photo: Auto Tone; Auto Color; Shadow/Highlight; Brightness/Contrast; and Exposure. Hopefully, this reply has given you some issues to consider when planning your next coin shoot. Christopher Neal Wyatt http://superiorbullion.com
Assuming your camera is relatively new (less than 10 years old), it will have the capability to take good pictures of coins. Most people seem to think that having a good camera equates to taking good pictures, which couldn't be further from actuality. Three things will help you above all else to get a nice photo of a coin: 1. A Tripod; 2. Good lighting; and 3. Macro capabilities. Most digital cameras have a macro mode suited to taking up-close photos of objects. The range at which your camera can focus in macro mode will vary, but usually between 10cm and 20cm. You can buy a cheap tripod for $5.00 that will do what you need it to do. Lastly, find a white piece of computer paper and sit in front of a window on a nice bright day (though not in direct sunlight, you want ambient or indirect light) to provide you light. Next, mount the camera on the tripod, adjust your setup (coin at the angle you want, etc) and flip that baby into macro mode. Then, see if your camera has a timer on it to take time-delayed photos. Usually a camera will have a 3, 5 or 10 second delay. Set the delay, and then take your hand completely off the camera. Let the camera do its thing and then adjust the settings according to the results of the first few shots. 9.9 times out of 10, this will get you photos that are completely adequate for your needs. No need for a $500.00 dslr or expensive lens. The camera gear doesn't make the photo, the photographer does.
Quite frankly, this question has been answered so many times here, you may not get the response you like. I've replied to these threads in detail at least three times since I've been here. Instead of posting, try doing a search. You'll find endless reading in the results. Maybe ignore the short threads and pick the ones that went long. A lot of great info in the archives going back over several years. Just my .02 cents.
Good advice, and that reason is very well because not everyone needs the same solution to their picture-taking woes. I tried to be very general in my suggestions, as the same basic elements are needed to get a nice quality picture. People can go into detail about ISO settings and bounce-lighting and complicated setups, but when it all boils down, good light, a steady hand (or tripod) and the ability to take a clearly-focused up-close picture are key. Read up a bit on macro photography and you'll learn everything you need to know to produce nice coin photos in just a few hours.
Well, stated. Though most of the discussions don't get quite as in-depth as you'd think. To your list, I'd like to add the importance of white balance and a basic macro lens. Most coin closeups here are done with a lens that can do it or a basic macro lens is attached over top of the camera's lens. It then becomes like a magnifying glass that is stable on the camera. The good close up pics are likely not done with a $100 point and shoot, by itself. If it won't focus, it isn't necessarily your fault or something you're doing wrong. Chances are, it can't focus close up, without help from an additional lens.
