Greetings Forum netizens! I have so many coins and input that I want to share with you all! My problem is that I cannot get any decent images without running into issues. I am using my Canon SD1400 digicam, and I had a nice heap of small coins (smaller than a penny, by the way)! I like and enjoy this forum, and many would like to see images of my little treasures! If anyone could give some tips I'd appreciate it!
There are many threads that may be of help. I will say this, as I always say... Lighting is the most important factor in imaging coins. Combined with macro, and white balance control on your camera. The camera you have is more than capable of taking great images if you use the proper lighting techniques. What do you have for a light setup?
I don't know anything about your camera, but will accept gbroke's assurances it will do the job. Does the camera have a supermacro focus, allowing you to get close to the coin? If not, then just find out how close you can get and still get a sharp image. Here are a couple of tips from my experience. 1. You need a stable base for the camera. I don't have a tripod, but rest my camera on a drill press, which works quite well. 2. Lighting. I like 2 lamps at 10 and 2 o'clock, in an otherwise dark room. Try various arrangements and see what works for you. 3. It's worth getting some software (I use Photoshop Elements, which does everything I need) to process the pictures. Not to falsify them, but to crop them to coin size, maybe increase the lighting if the picture is a little dark, rotate the images, etc. You might like to look at Mark Goodman's book "Numismatic Photography". I think photographing coins is fun. Enjoy it!
I used the SD1400IS Canon Point and Shoot camera for almost a full year for my coin images. It is a very capable little camera. The things you must have are: Tools / Equipment: 1. A small tripod than can shoot directly down. Nothing fancy, something in the $15 to $20 range will work just fine. An example is here. 2. Two or three small lights. The easiest ones to use that are inexpensive are the little Jansjo lamps available from IKEA. If you live near an IKEA they are $9.99 each (see link here), but you can also order them on Amazon for more money if you can't get there (see link here). I use three, but 2 placed at 10 o-clock and 2 o-clock will work just fine. 3. Learn the settings on your camera. In particular, learn to use the timer-delay (I use the 2 second delay) and learn to set your camera to macro mode (it is the little tulip icon). ========================================= Plan / Process: 1. Set the tripod so your camera is facing straight down toward the floor, and is about 8-10 inches above the coin you want to photograph. You can straddle the corner of a table with the tripod (put your coin on the table, but the tripod will be on the floor). 2. Position the two lights at 10 o-clock and 2 o-clock as compared to looking at the coin right-side-up. 3. Set your camera to 2 or 10 second timer. This will delay the photo from being taken until you have removed your hand from the shutter and decreases shake. 4. Set your camera to macro mode (the little tulip icon). 5. Turn off ALL other lights in the room except for the ones you are using to light the coin. 6. Set the ISO of the camera to 80 (or 100 if there is no 80 -- I can't remember). 7. Set the white balance using a sheet of white paper (read the manual). 8. Press the shutter, and remove your hands from the camera. It will beep for a bit, then take the photo after the timer delay. 9. Assess the quality of the picture, and adjust accordingly. I hope this helps, -Brandon
Here are some sample images I have taken with the exact same camera you have. I don't use it anymore for imaging coins, but it a very capable little camera. EDIT: That coin I posted first is VERY small, so you can do those coins also! Good luck!
