Post a photo and your camera model.

Post what you think is a really good picture of a coin you took. Then post your camera make and model. I'm thinking of upgrading cameras.

 

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Cannon Rebel, Sigma 150 macro.

 

Great Lincoln medal LD.

Nikon D5100, 105mm/f2.8 Micro Nikkor

 

Cannon Powershot SD 1200

 

Iphone 4S :hail:

 

Nikon s9100 Coolpix
12.1 MP
18x
1080p HD
$200 at Walmart

 

For the most part, the camera model matters less than knowing how to use what you have. Even the most basic cameras can give impressive results if used properly, so do not expect a new camera to be the ultimate fix. You have already been given sound advice on how to image coins, so if unwilling to accept and learn from it, be sure to set your expectations low regardless of the model you buy.

 

How very true! It's usually more the skills of the photographer than the camera.

 

Nikon D 5100 Body, with 55-85 Nikkor lens

 

My camera is good but it does not have adjustable white balance, no manual focus, no adjustable f stop either.

 

What is your camera model?

 

Elph 100HS by Canon.

 

I checked out your manual.
You seem to have everything you need.
page 85 -brightness/contrast
page 94 -macro
page 92 -vivid (to use for toners if you so desire)
page 95 -AF Frame mode (set this to center)
page 86 -white balance (set yours to 'tungsten', which is fluorescent)

Here is your manual if you need to know where these functions are:
http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0300004755/01/PSELPH100HS_IXUS115HS_CUG_EN_02.pdf

 

The problem with my camera is that the f-stop is automatically adjusted.

This camera cost me $180, the $109 one (Canon powershot), had a lot more adjustments than my newer, $180 camera. I have no clue as to why they cut so many manual adjustments out.

Since the F-stop it automatic only, if I gather a lot of light onto a coin, the camera will automatically lower the amount of sensor exposure down.

This makes it a PITA to photograph slabs. I have over 120 watt power of light shining directly on the coin, without glare. Since the camera thinks there is too much light, it makes the image darker.

 

I don't know what f-stop is, I certainly dont have it.
Your camera is auto adjusting the brightness.....
That is when you adjust the brightness manually homie. PAGE 85

When I am blasting light on mine, I have to manually turn my brightness all the way down.

Even if it shoots it dark, you can adjust the image in the editing software.

 

Cannon PowerShot SD/1300is

The Cannon PowerShot SD/1300is provides a good balance of technology, performance, & price. It is small so it can be carried conveniently.

One photo is a quick point & shoot from a moving car with lighting set to "Day Light". The other two photos depict a slab shot at my desk with lighting set to "Fluorescent".

 

It's always best to take a good picture at the start, but you can correct for a lot of things with post-processing software. Did your Elph come with any post-processing software? If not there's decent software out there, without having to spend a fortune on it like you would with Photoshop. There's even free software, like Photoscape, that will let you make a lot of adjustments to a photo.

 

lol. No secret sauce.
I use two goose neck desk lamps with regular 60 watt "white" bulbs.
The bottom line is, the smallest adjustments on lighting position will have a large impact on the coin. Especially if we are talking about lustrous and silver coins.

I wish it was easy to explain. But I can't. It took me over a year to figure it out. But now, I always think to myself, 'How did I not figure this out sooner'.

I wish I had the time to put together a complete video tutorial from lighting, to camera setup, to post-edit. I really would like to help everyone. Keep in mind also, I only recently improved. No doubt I do not know everything. I can only guarantee my results if you have my camera and my lighting. I am still learning. Consistency is the hardest thing, especially since I do not use a tripod or copystand.

These are some pictures from about 8 months ago, and I thought they were good.