toned coins, question...

what is the best way to show off the brilliance of your toned coins on the computer. i tried taking pictures with my digi cam. its a good camera, i admit i am still learning it, but it does not show off how greatly toned this coin i have is..

i am picking my scanner up soon. will the scanner show off the tone better? or is there some trick to it?

here is the coin btw. trust me, it is much more toned in person..

 

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From my perspective, scanners are basically worthless for taking images of coins.

Your camera is still the best bet. Lighting is key. You must experiment!

Stick with the camera.

 

Exposure time and lighting are key factors.
You can easily control exposure time.
But correct lighting is a REAL pain.
And it changes from metal to metal, and surface to surface (proof, MS vs. Circ, color, etc.)
I'm still trying to find the and I've been at it for several years.
And it may still require a touch of "photoshopping" to get it right.
The eye/brain combo see things differently than the camera.

But one REALLY easy change you can make is your background.
Use a non-reflective black or dark gray surface.
You want as much of the light your camera collects to be from the coin, not the background.
A white background tends to overpower the more subtle colors coming from the coin, particularly copper coins.
I use an ordinary piece of black kindergarten construction paper.
Watch out for light reflected from things in the area of your camera setup.
Use a "white" light source. You need to get as close to the full color spectrum as reasonably possible (simulating sunlight).

And a scanner is generally not good for imaging coins.
You can't control:
- focus
- light intensity
- direction of light
- other things I haven't thought of

 

Search on lehigh96 user id and photography. He has posted several threads about this. There are other threads also, but I thought his were good.

 

A scanner will often yield a dull, lifeless image. It is fine for circulated coins since the process is quick and typically the focus is quite good. However, nicely toned coins do not do well with the typical scanner settings. It has already been mentioned, but lighting is key and you must experiment quite a bit to get images just right.

 

thank you for the photo tips...I have been experimenting and failing....lots of glare...

 

If you have the money for one, a DSLR camera with atleast a 105mm macro lens will wield the best result. Heres one of my pictures.

 

May also try diffused lighting. Put a paper towel or thin white cloth over the light source. Makes a real difference sometimes.
P.S.--If you are using a halogen light, be careful not to let the cloth or paper towel catch fire!

 

Thread about diffused lighting for photographic toned coins

 

I'm kinda off-topic here, but I can't resist praising the near perfection of that beautiful colonial era, pillar dollar. Makes mine look kinda feeble. Good on you!

 

That was a joke right? As much knowledge as you share on here, you have to still collect. I have learned so much from your posts. I really hope that was a joke.

 

Guys, we are rudely in process of hijacking Panda's thread. Trusting that we will be forgiven. Pandas have a reputation for being adorable, affectionate, cuddly and forgiving animals.

Thanks for joining-in, financeman. I was thinking the same exact thought, also one of disbelief. Disappointment as well. Was intending to ask GDJMSP what caused him to abandon collecting, but didn't want to push the hijacking of this thread too far.

OK, GDJMSP, you are cornered. Give-it-up! Why are you no longer a collector? Your many, many, many fans are anxious to know.

 

Wow, well I will tell you one thing. Since I have been a member, you have been very helpfull to me. Your knowledge and how much you know amazes me.
Thats the thing about coins though, you do what makes you happy

 

When it comes to goal #2 ..... your cup most certainly runneth over. Concerning your goal #1 ..... may goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life. As far as coin knowledge is concerned and your willingness to share, you amount to being a national treasure. It's always a pleasure to read your informed postings.

 

starting to acknowledge your cup of woes

my my

things are going this great century for you GD