I've seen many a threads started with concerned members wondering how to take great pictures of coins. I built my booth for $30 and use a $150 Sony DSW-W570. It has a micro setting and with most cameras it is the symbol of a flower. I hold the camera 5 inches away from the coin and shoot. I stabilize my elbows on the corner of the booth which helps me hold the camera still. I use two 120w florescent bulbs that came in a 2 pack for $10. I also bought two spot lights at local yard sales for $10 for the pair and then spent $10 on fabric. White to reflect light and blue because my wife thought it looked pretty. I also thought it would attract customers on eBay and they'd be able to spot my auctions out. So far it doesn't seem to be working The two indirect lights create no shadow unless it's slabbed then just propping it up on my base eliminates all issues. I took a cardboard box out of the dumpster on the way home. It is about 3ft by 2ft and sturdy. (It was a stereo surround sound box.) I placed it on the counter out in the garage tacked up the white fabric and attached the lights to the back flap. Out of the box I took a piece of Styrofoam and drove a nail through it for a base for my coins. I cut it to the size of a dime to be hidden in all pictures and not damage the coins. Then I drove the nail through my fabric and into another piece for a base. The base is 4x4 which hides all edges after cropping the picture. The reason I elevate the coin is to have the camera purely focus on the coin and not the background. I believe this turns out more sharp photos and has a more elusive background instead of seeing textiles. Now you can take great photos for less! Without big fancy camera or expensive lights and backdrops. Here are some pictures below of my booth and the photos it creates! Thanks for looking. If you have any questions, concerns or comments please do not hesitate to ask!
