I'd like to learn how to take some close up photos with my Nikon D40. I'm sure it can be done, but I'm finding it's not as easy as I would have thought. If someone has a link to a thread with pointers (I already searched), it would be appreciated. As of right now I have a lamp to shine light on the coin, while at the same time holding the flash shut so as not to drown the coin out with too much light. Also, I use the auto focus to get close, but switch to manual for the final adjustments.
If you have a macro feature on the camera, use that. Don't zoom in on the coin. I take most of my images through a microscope. But I use a digital camera.
Some pointers: 1. Use the Macro feature on your digital camera. 2. Use a Tripod to prevent any movement of the camera while taking pictures. 3. Take pictures outside to get "true" look of a coin. 4. Practice taking coin pics using your camera. Other posters will have better suggestions than I will in terms of taking coin pics but these pointers work well for me when I take pictures of some of my silver art bars.
Here are some other coin photography threads that might help you: http://www.cointalk.com/t115542/ http://www.cointalk.com/t115190/ http://www.cointalk.com/t114269/ http://www.cointalk.com/t114290/ There are other photography threads on CoinTalk but some of those threads might be in the above threads. Krispy's post (see post #9 on the thread called "First attempt at photographing a coin") has other listed threads that will help you out on taking coin pictures.
Go with what has been said but my suggestion is to not use natural, outdoor light. Use two lamps on the coin. I use halogen lamps, others use florescent, and the latest suggestion I've received is to use 100 Watt Reveal light bulbs. Also make sure your white balance is set accordingly in addition to using the macro!
Wow, I was just talking to someone about reading up on taking good coin pics and this thread showed up. Talk about perfect timing. Thanks for all the usefull links
Nikon D40 would be an SLR. Unlike point-and-shoot (less expensive) digicam, you need a dedicated MACRO Lens to get close up and detailed pictures. Otherwise, you have to be content with the minimum focus distance of your current lens and just have it digitally zoom with a photo software.
i seen my thread was linked. i have been getting my pictures outside, and they have been good. very great with detail but the pictures are not showing the true luster of the coins. also shooting outside can only be done a few hours a day. i went out and got a set of GE reveal bulbs and a set of a slyvania daylight bulbs, they both are supposed to be good a mimicking natural light. but this way i can control when the light is on and more importantly where the light is shining! i also got a styrofoam cooler that i am going to rig to be a little coin photography studio, with flexible light sockets, a coin stand, reflectors, and a digital camera mount. using this with the new bulbs, should work out pretty well and will update my original thread with results and details. so if you are interested check it out tomorrow night.
I've been looking for a place to offer a tip without starting a new thread. Glad you opened this up. My tip- When taking pics of coins in tpg holders with scratches, this works very well. Spread a light coat of oil (coin care [tm] works good) on the holder. This makes the scratches nearly invisible. Try it. I'm sure you will be pleased with the results.
Bump.......... I am using a Canon 40d on a copy stand with lenses Canon AF 35-105mm Nikon AF 35-70mm with Canon adapter Raynox macro conversion and also using Various extension tube lengths with 5000k Tulip CFL's lighting diffused Halogen Daylight room lighting All of this in a trial an error method in various manual settings. Using the Macro function disables the Live view function which is a necessity when attached to a copy stand. I'm not springing for a $600 macro lens. not yet! What I am finding that no matter what the combination, the manual focus is so sensitive that I just can't quite get the detail I want. I am close. Honestly I have gotten as much detail with my $99 point and shoot. The reason for this camera is for dedication (tethered) to a computer for eBay listings and coin cataloging. I figure once everything is set up. I should be able to shoot coins in similar color very quickly straight onto the computer. Anyways.. What all are you using as far as lenses and can you post examples? Thanks! This is shot at f5.6 @ 1/50th with Nikor 35-70mm adapted with about an inch of extension tube.
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