Photographing My Coins

I just purchased a new camera and lens. I picked up the Sony a850 24.6mp and a 100mm macro lens. I do a lot of model photography as a side job that is why I purchased the camera. I would like to photograph my coin collection but I need some pointers on the lighting. I am not sure what type of lighting is needed or what type of lighting equipment is needed. Any help with this would be great.

If you want to check out some of my non-coin photos check out my photo site at http://www.worldinasnap.com . I will be creating a section on the site for my coin photo's as soon as I take some.

CC

 

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You do very good work; your nature photography is purely AWESOME! I'm a sucker for macro photography.

I too am just starting out in numismatic photography. I think I have all the equipment in place, now it's all about honing my technique. As you probably know, it's all about the lighting. I've experimented with natural light, florescent bulbs, halogen, soft light, and bright light. I think I have it narrowed down to GE Reveal bulbs and GE PAR30 floods. I use parchment paper stuck onto wire coat hangers for light diffusers. I tried axial lighting techniques, but they weren't that successful for me. The book I would highly recommend is Numismatic Photography by Mark Goodman. It tells you everything you need to know about photographing coins. There are some photography experts here at CT, so hopefully they can chime in and give you some expert advice and tips to point you in the right direction.

-LTB

 

CC. Judging from the photos on your web site I would say that you have absolutely no problems with lighting. Beautiful people, beautiful photographs. I sincerely await your foray into "coin photography"....

 

Light

You have the concept of light under control.

Aim it at a subject:thumb:

 

Consider getting Numismatic Photography by Mark Goodman.
His treatment of lighting is reasonably thorough.

 

Great skills with the Camera!! You and coins and a camera should get along well

 

Here is a tread that will at least explain part of you answer http://www.cointalk.com/t56246/

 

Yep - one of the threads I point to. Paul or lehigh96 has done a couple threads on photographing coins - so you can search for them.

 

newbie camera question

Is there such a thing as a 100mm lens that's not macro? If so, what's it called and what's the difference?

Thanks!

 

I think they make a medium telephoto lens in the 100mm size. Also there is a 100mm lens that is made for the Hasselblad camera system that is not a macro lens.

CC

 

And what's the difference? What would one use one for rather than the other, etc etc.?

(I warned y'all this was a newbie camera question)

 

The 100mm macro lens would be used to photograph coins, insects and very closeup shoots. The 100mm telephoto lens would make a very good portrait lens.

CC

 

The 100mm macro lens can be used for EITHER macro (close-up) mode OR normal mode. A 100mm is considered a good portrait lens. Not all 100mm (or any other lens) are macro. Lens with the macro option are generally more expensive. Close-up filters (screw on to front of non-macro lens) are good alternatives to macro lens and are less expensive.

 

I wish it was that simple...or if it is, then I'm more of a rook than I thought Here is a shot of the same coin, using the same bulb, the only difference being the light angle...

-LTB

 

What ever you use it will be right, Based on your work, Your an excellent
Photographer!!

 

Any type of lights will work if you have a proper White Balance. I prefer Ott-Lites for coin photography.