How Best To Photogragh Coins

im new to collecting and i am haveing a terrible time tryin to take pics of my coins. always to fuzzy or the coin reflects the flash too much.. i have a very good camera but jus cant seem to figure out the best method. if anyone has some tips it would be greatly appreciated :bow:

 

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try taking them in the bathroom.. I swear it works.

 

Just a quick starter improvement idea.....

#1 A tripod is required
#2 GE Reveal bulbs and a properly adjusted white balance. Should be a lightbulb icon on most cameras, otherwise incandescent.
#3 Use a paper towell over the bulb to help diffuse the light, this can be handheld.
#4 Use your cameras timer to offset any hand shake you may have. Click and wait the 10 seconds for the camera to shoot the pic.

Hope this helps and keep us posted.

Also, welcome to the forum !!

 

thanx, but that all seems really involved for jus a couple pics. is there a quicker way? or any rule of thumbs?

 

#1 A tripod is required
#2 GE Reveal bulbs and a properly adjusted white balance. Should be a lightbulb icon on most cameras, otherwise incandescent.
#3 Use a paper towell over the bulb to help diffuse the light, this can be handheld.
#4 Use your cameras timer to offset any hand shake you may have. Click and wait the 10 seconds for the camera to shoot the pic.

Hope this helps and keep us posted.

Also, welcome to the forum !!
.....................................................................................................
go to a camera shop, ask for a "digital camera mini tripod". mike.

 

Find a place where the light is good

RTFM=
1)Read the Funny Manuel for the camera.
2)Get a tripod or something that acts like one.
3)Turn off the flash & Take the coin to a place where the light is perfect for what the camera can do (i.e. RTFM)
4)Take a great photo!

 

I USE A PANASONIC DMC-TZ1 AND I trim the picture after I take it.You can take a picture two feet away and when your done you got a picture of nothing but the coin.If your looking for a camera,I went to best buy layed a quarter down and tried everyone the had till i found this one.GOOD LUCK

 

Well if you want good pictures then it is a little involved. A tripod really does help. Next you will need to just play around to get decent pictures. Mine are okay, but no where near as nice as some of the others. I usually have to play with the lighting to get decent pictures - I need to get some GE Reveal bulbs as mentioned to see if that helps.

 

I don't want to know the details...

 

That depends. Do you want your photos to look like this



or like this:



I give the same advice to anyone looking to take better coin photos, buy a copy of Mark Goodman's NUMISMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY.

 

ouuuuuu I remember that coin lehigh

 

My advice: Listen to Lehigh's advice -- buy the book.

 

I have a mini tripod (you put on a table top) and that works very well. It eliminates the hand movement when holding the camera. My pics have improved since I started using a digital camera mini tripod.

 

I've never used a tripod. I've taken over 15,000 images. A good macro camera is a start. I take most of my images through a scope and hold the camera by hand. You just have to try what works best with you and add to it from there are you go. You will get it.

 

Hopefully your using a digital camera. If so most require a lot of light. My suggestion is to save lots of money and just go outside and use that thing in the sky for your lighting.
If you can find a dark surface, dull not highly reflective like the top of a bar-b-que grill place your coin on that. Not in direct Sunlight but in well lighted area. Hold your camera as loosely as possible so your not using force which causes some shaking usually. When taking the photo, hold your breath. When you breath your chest expands and contracts and takes your arms with that. Your arms are holding the camera and this does create a movement.
Squeeze the trigger very slowly.
If the coin is in focus when you try, the results should also be OK.
Naturally things like a tripod are helpful.

 

"I give the same advice to anyone looking to take better coin photos, buy a copy of Mark Goodman's NUMISMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY."

And buy it through amazon going through the cointalk link...

 

Turn off the flash.

Turn on the lights.

Turn on the macro.

Buy the book.

You say "that's too involved". Seems easy. Do want good photos or not ?

 

.999Fine advice!