I bought a 1941 set of British Proof-Like coins but my standard imaging techniques don't capture the PL surfaces. Example: Suggestions, please.
Shoot. Tough question. Each coin is unique and individual, and in order to bring out its' brilliance (proof like nature), one must experiment with different angles and lighting placements.
Will changing my lighting angle accomplish the same thing? I also have an axial lighting setup BUT since I moved I don't have the space for it anymore.
It should. There was a member on CT who knew a lot about imaging coins. He blocked me and now I cannot remember his name. Someone here should. If I remember he debated with Doug a lot.
There are two approaches that seem to work for raw coins: - ringlight that is big enough in diameter to not shine any light directly to the lens. This will produce a "darkfield" look to the coin if it is highly reflective - axial or pseudo-axial which will shine directly on the field, producing a "brightfield" look to the coin. This may be the best approach for many prooflikes since they are not reflective enough to have a true darkfield with a ringlight For slabbed coins, the axial approach will produce glare off the slab surface, so the darkfield approach is recommended.
The hardest procedure in the last comment is remembering that the design or details must not get over looked. It definitely takes practice.
