How to prepare an effective and cheap set-up to take coin photos?

Dear master,
In the end,I decided to prepare a cheap set-up to take nice coin photos.But I have no idea about how to do that because I have never seen such a set-up .So I need the photos of your own set-ups if you dont mind.If you share the photos of ur own set-ups It will help me alot.Please help me.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I have a page on the subject.
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/coinphoto2011ez1.html
When trying to be cheap, it is important not to skimp on a really solid camera support. My scrap lumber is perfectly solid but not adjustable. That is no problem if you also make more than one coin support of different heights or are willing to prop up the one on various thicknesses of books.

Produces this result:


If your camera is smaller, you may need to scale down the measurements given on my page.


You will probably make two or three versions before you get the one you prefer for your equipment and desired results. The one below does not do well in blurring the background but it is compact and can travel wherever needed. The old 3MP camera is not as good but does well enough for small photos used online.

The last two images were made one day when I did not have any coins out of the bank so I used fakes.

 

Dear Dougsmit,
Thank you very much for your help.I have already a Canon SX130 IS whose macro I like.Now I have an idea about what to do, with your help.Now I need to know how a lamp should be and if you make use of any software like photoshop to make some adjustments of the photos taken.If so, what kind of basic adjustments you do?

 

I use Photoshop Elements software (about $79?). The current version is 12 but I still have 10 and do not know what was added. The amount of processing needed will depend on the amount of effort you put into taking the image with proper exposure and how well the coin separates from the background. It is good to work with the coin next to the computer so you can adjust the image to match what you see in terms of color and brightness. Some will require no postprocessing other than combining the two sides and cropping away the surplus background. Some will need so much you will decide to reshoot. I am sure that there are many other programs (some free) that will do the job but this is what I use and I have not kept up with the market in such programs.

 

Great set up! Thanks for sharing.

 

Here is what I've been using:


The bar clamp was about $10 from Home Depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Jorgensen-2-in-x-12-in-Light-duty-Bar-Clamp-3712-LD/100172251

The camera clamp was just over $20 from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ABB4HC/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The camera clamp has a standard tripod screw so any camera with a female will mount. I just happen to have a Microsoft LifeCam attached right now so I can get 1920x1080 pics. Here's a result (cropped):


I'm still working on the lighting.

 

Just to add to this.

 

The light is high and behind me. A piece of felt is propped up against the computer screen along with the coin to be photographed. I shoot two clicks underexposed and do a little touch-up in Photoscape.........

 

This previous thread describes several good photography set-ups.
http://www.cointalk.com/threads/post-your-coin-photography-set-up.229658/#post-1730213

This photo depicts my set-up:

 

I like the grading fluid pictured in the background, Collect.

 

My kind of cleansing fluid!

 

Wow Green18, some beard!

 

You noticed? I've been wanting to grow a Z Z Top one but the wife will have nothing of it......

 

cool set ups everyone...i liked checking them out.

 

Thanx for everyone who shares their experience.With your help, I could plan what to set up now