This is what i would expect when buying something like that. If I get it in hand and I am physically looking at it without seeing colors then I too would be disappointed. This is the correct way to go about coins that look like this. Atleast give me a heads up that the pictures do not represent the coin unless lighting is added. My opinion...
Can someone explain how one knows if the .jpg is "juiced" or not? I use Corel's Paint Shop Pro and I can add any colors you desire to a coin. I have done it by accident on some of the coins that I want to sell. I normally only use the focus function in the software but it can be significantly "juiced". Diffused lighting or natural sunlight is, in my opinion, the best way to show a coin.
GDJMSP YOUR telling me that is the same coin pictured above.. only difference is a different angle and light... that's amazing to me.. thanks cause I have read some books that told me to stay from toned coins especially if your new to it...NOW I SEE WHY...
You can do it... Scientific instruments need to get involved. A laboratory-grade motorized tilt stage would do the trick. One or two degrees...or less? No problem. Computer controlled. And the videographer needs to look through the viewfinder to make sure the image is being captured(!) But really, who'd go through with the trouble, right? Well, maybe somebody crazy enough to want to do a bang-up job of presenting beatifully-toned coins for sale, that's who!
Dang, that looks awesome. I've been thinking about building one of these for a while now, for exactly this purpose. So.... those are really expensive. Do you know of any in the $50-$100 range?
Yes, that is exactly the same coin in all 3 pictures. And I used the same lights in all 3 pics, all I did was tilt them just the tiniest bit for the different pics. Think of it like this, whenever you take a picture there are 3 things involved, the camera, the object, and the light source. And if you drew a line from the 1st to the 2nd, and the 2nd to the 3rd, and the 3rd back to the 1st, it forms a triangle. That triangle has 3 angles, each of given degrees. Move or shift any one of the one of the 3 even a tiny bit and those angles change. And if the angles change then what you see in the picture changes too. This is because the different colors we see in toning is caused by reflection and refraction, so if you change the angles then the reflection and the refraction changes too and that let's you see a different color. It's simple, basic geometry - the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, every single time. And of course if the angle of reflection changes then the angle of refraction is changed.
Ahhhh. I forgot to look at the coin under my magic light. Just had to break out this bad boy and the coin looks awesome!
What specific light will bring out color that won't appear in the several different kinds of light I've tried with?
What type of lighting will make the coin look like this? I can't imagine it is possible. I've looked at the coin under several different types of lighting and at every angle possible and those colors in the sellers images escape me every time.
Have you tried to discuss this with them? Unless you've made a habit out of returns, most reasonable individuals will wave such a fee, especially with something like this. Oftentimes restocking fees are there to dissuade a certain type of would-be buyer, and not to stick someone, I assume, like yourself who simply isn't pleased with a good-faith purchase. Paying return shipping isn't all that unreasonable though, and comes with the territory. Any dealer openly offering to pay for return shipping would also be opening themselves up to abuse from many less than serious buyers.
Yeah, having to pay return shipping doesn't bother me. It's just the restocking fee since the images were not accurate, at all. I have chatted with a representative about the return and they're the one that told be about the 10%. I just recently discovered this particular dealer and have only purchased one coin before the one in this thread.
I'd push it if I were you... regardless of fault in the matter, it's simply good business to at least give customers the benefit of the doubt on a first-time return.
Unfortunately, no. Of course, these things (goniometers and tilt stages) made for scientific purposes are also priced for the budget of your typical research lab. So we're talking thousands, I'm sure. But this one is being sold from Latvia, so perhaps it's cheaper? You'd have to contact them. I still think that a simple, "weighted", non-motorized tilt stage along with using good lighting would work. The videographer needs to look through the viewfinder (display screen) AS she shoots the video of a s-l-o-w-l-y tilted coin on that sturdy, weighted stage to make sure that she is getting that tone/luster in the shot. Video as a complement, not a replacement, for still photos. That would be good enough.
This goniometer doesn't have a motor with computer-control, but it does have these "thumb screws" to get that "just right" x- and y- axis that Doug mentioned. This one will set you back over $500 bucks. Uff-da!
What I really want is something that I can program to go through a movement similar to the turn of your wrist as you rotate a coin under the light. This will show the luster playing off the high points, and changing through the fields. You would be able to see the cartwheel move. Angled photography would be a side benefit, but I have shims for that.
@gbroke was working on a tilt gif image I believe that was turning out quite well, I wonder if he ever perfected his technique since we havent seen much of him in a while
Call them and tell them you're unhappy and unless they make it right you will take your future buisness elsewhere. It's a win win for you. Either they will do it to secure your business and you will shop with them again. Or they won't in which case who wants to do business with a company that isn't flexible and willing to make their customers happy. This is the catch-22 they're in and businesses know it so how they respond tells you alot about their character. Oh and never talk to the person that answers the phone. Always Ask To Speak with the owner
Haha, what does that one cost? $4k? I actually like the previous one better. The swinging arm on this one would obscure the lights, and lead to awkward shadows. And, I don't need the rotational motion. No, the previous one was ideally suited to my needs..... although it is $1.5k.
