Learning My New Camera - How Am I Doing?

Okay, I working with my new camera.
LOTS of things I've tried to work out.
After several hours this is where I'm at.
Comments and criticisms, please.

 

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That's a great start. All parts of the coin are in focus; you shot the coin straight on - not at an angle.

Not to be critical but more as a critique your lighting could be improved. It looks like you used a single light at 2:00. That illuminated upper and right sides of the coin but left the lower and left sides dark. A bit more contrast would also be nice.

Did you correct for white balance? The material the coin is lying on appears to be gray in the photo. Was it gray or white? If that material does not appear the correct color your coin will not appear the correct color.

Again, that is a great start.

What camera and lens are you using?

 

I agree.
Positioning the lighting has always been a problem for me.
This was taken with two tube-type OTT-LITEs positioned NE and NW of the coin at about 70-80 degrees elevation.
The original image was a lot "flatter".
This version of the image was obtained by increasing the contrast and backing off on the brightness a bit.

I haven't gotten around to white balance yet.
The coin is in a NGC holder so the background is the milky white color of the insert and modified by the lighting.
When I go for the finished image I'll do a circular crop and get rid of current background.
Then if I follow my normal pattern I'll paste the image onto a black background.

My new camera is a Nikon D90 with a AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED lens ("Micro" is Nikon's term for macro).

 

Nice work kanga. As to the coin, may we see a pic of the reverse as well? (If not, may I ask what mint?)

 

I'm in the process of putting together the composite image.
Soon as I get it done I'll post it.

Nice die crack on the reverse.
Goes from the top the left "star", along the top of "UNITED" and into the eagle's wing.
On the right side it goes from the top of "F" through the wing and along the top of "AMERIC".

In the meantime it's an 1878 7tf Rev of '78 NGC MS-63.
Nothing spectacular.
I just didn't happen to have one (I have the 8tf).
Now I'll look around for a 7/8tf.

 

Okay, done.

Here's the reverse at 25%




And here's the composite in my currently preferred format

 

I format the composite to fit a screen page at 1020x768 resolution.
But I keep the original at full size in case further examination is desired.

 

Kanga, your posts on documenting and photographing your collection have been really cool.

As I type this, I have an unemployed college student 3.5 feet to my left.

You are giving me an idea I'm not sure he's going to like it though.....

 

Thanks kanga! Those are some great shots of a sweet Morgan.

 

For purposes of accuracy, a minor edit is required.
It should be 1024x768.

 

Nice photos, your lighting and the sharp lens really pick up the fine details, even the mint frost.

 

Kanga those are great shots what a cool camera. may i ask how much did you pay for it. ?
JC formaerly Jazzcoins Joe

 

The camera body, 4GB memory card, better battery and remote shutter release were about $1000.
The macro lens was another $550.

 

And here's another coin I just received.

 

Kanga, these are terrific! Shooting through slabs is very difficult at times. Did you polish them before shooting?

You've obviously been bitten by the camera bug (as well as the coin variety, too) to make a substantial investment. I have a similar Canon, the 1000D, and recently upgraded to a Sigma 150mm macro lens.

I find that using the new Sigma is terrific in many ways. I'm now cataloging my collection as well. With the 150mm, my raw images are really terrific. I'm now able to view the coins at 200x using PhotoShop Elements ($99) and it is much easier to cherrypick and look for varieties on my screens (dual 22-inch digital).

I will warn you that I paid approximately $750 for my new lens, though! But I view it as an investment and it will eventually pay for itself.

I really like the layout you're using with short notes as well. Really terrific.

 

thats some fancy shootin' there partner

 

Yes, shooting through slabs.
Nope, not polishing first.
But since I'm just learning to handle my camera, I haven't gotten to dealing with scratches, etc. on slabs.

I went with the 60mm lens rather than the 150mm.
I still want to use it for vacation pictures too in spite of it designed more for macro work.
And I still have to see how well I can do with small features such as mintmarks.
Also I use Paint Shop Pro rather than Photoshop Elements.
And you are WAY ahead of me with respect to screens. I have one 17" HD Flat Panel Screen.

From imaging to final screen format I can do one coin in a half hour.
If I image a group of coins in one session I can cut that down to about 20 minutes a coin.

 

Kanga,

Nice set-up! :thumb: Have fun playing with it and figuring it all out. There is quite a learning curve to photographing coins. Some of the guys on here make it look like a piece of cake and Garrett and I struggle for every shot we get. Hobo posted his setup and he's got quite a setup as does Rickie B. I researched copy stands yesterday after reading Hobo's post. There is quite a bit on info to be had on this forum to help with not only coins, but things that go hand in hand with coins. :high5: We're looking into investing in a DSLR ourselves. I have a Canon G9 and Garrett is quite interested in photography so we're currently looking at the D90, Nikon D5000 and Canon T1Si. Garrett is selling a Fugio to help with the expense of the camera. I bought 3 digital photography magazines at Barnes & Noble yesterday. BTW, this months Consumer Reports reviewed cameras and the D90 was their top pick for DSLR. So far Costco is the best price I've found. Their prices even beat the Navy Exchange. G is off to high school next year and he is going to join the photography club and yearbook, so I want to get something that he can use for that too.

 

I just got a Nikon D90.
I went Nikon because I already had the lens, and they are a quality brand.
My wife has a D300 but that's WAY too much camera for my purposes.

Just be careful that you don't end up with a refurbished camera or a Chinese knock-off.

 

As far as electronics go, I swear by newegg.com. I have been buying from them for over 5 years and have never had a problem. Their prices are also very competitive, too.