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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;EyeEatWheaties, post: 1117823, member: 26972&quot;]This Message Board is badly in need of a Photography forum.&nbsp;&nbsp; As digital imagery becomes more and more readily accessible - the questions consistently seem to be pouring in exponentially.</p><p><br /></p><p>I am happy to help and share because I am convinced that this is the future and that a lens can pick up far more than the eye and brain can process.&nbsp; There is another whole part to this and that is the interpretation of what you are actually seeing or not seeing in a digital image. For example, I think it is widely accepted that Hi res digital images make a coin look worse than it does in hand.&nbsp; In full resolution you are looking at my Lincolns at 50x -&nbsp; that is nuts!&nbsp;&nbsp; However I love them - but I also understand those certain anomalies.</p><p><br /></p><p>I am focused on Lincolns for the most part and while what I write should apply to all coins I think it is important to point out that I don&#039;t have 1/100th the experience with silver/nickel/gold that I do with copper.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Photography as is grading a coin, an art. So one persons likes/dislikes may not be another&#039;s.</p><p><br /></p><p>First off.&nbsp; I am using PHotobucket Pro to host my images. I think it is about $25 per year.&nbsp; the pro account apparently does not change the original file when uploaded, if it does, it is not much.&nbsp; I have my link settings set to the largest resolution allowed which is 4000x3000 - I have coin compositions larger than that however I rarely post them..&nbsp; These large images may slow peoples computers down and I have seen it mentioned over and over that they are resizing the forum width unacceptably to other members.&nbsp; I am pretty sure this is due their browser settings though I am not 100% about that .</p><p><br /></p><p>Second - my images are from a camera.&nbsp; I found that professional quality equipment can be bought used for a quarter of the new cost. I using a Canon 40d and Canon 100mm Macro lens.</p><p><br /></p><p>Third - I feel that the most important part of coin imaging, is that the coin must be viewed on a monitor through the camera with all the settings applied BEFORE the shutter is released. I set my lens to manual and crank the camera up and down to bring the coin into focus.&nbsp; I have my DOF set very very shallow - if I focus on the Lincoln high points the field are slightly out of focus and visa versa.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Fourth - Lighting&nbsp; - is oh so critical to capture a coins attributes. this is where imaging a coin becomes an art.&nbsp; I use a 3 light set up and am careful to keep those lights in the same position - there&nbsp; are exceptions to that rule...</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;I feel strongly that certain coins should be shown certain ways. I have my lighting set in a manner that I think is a good balance of capturing luster without hiding too much detail.&nbsp; For example: a same year/mint 65RD can have very different attributes than another same year/mint 67RD&nbsp; - For example&nbsp; I have 67RD that have more nicks and dings than a 65RD HOWEVER the 67RD has a far superior luster and in hand this becomes obvious but in a digital image those nicks and dings on the 67RD may be distracting.&nbsp; this is where knowledge of what you are actually looking at and interpreting that image gets confusing.&nbsp; What one person sees initially is not necessarily what another person sees/or looks for. </p><p><br /></p><p>So with all of that.&nbsp; a picture is worth a thousand more words.&nbsp; This is my set up - bought this fall - with no prior photography experience - learning what I could from the internet - for under 1k via the Bay. the coin on the monitor in the background is the coin under the lens.&nbsp; The lights to the right are included for discussion purposes - I don&#039;t use them. </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z242/papasteeze/Coins/PB140010Large.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I just noticed that I need to update my set up pic.&nbsp; That lens on that camera is not what I am currently using.&nbsp; That lens is a Nikor 35-70mm adapted to fit a Canon body with extension rings added for high magnification.&nbsp;&nbsp; (in case anyone notices) <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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