Post pics of your coin-shooting setup?

Can you guys here post up shots of your coin-shooting setup?

Including camera model / settings, light setup (if you DON'T use a lighted loupe), etc., ...

 

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@nuMRmatist

Like what coins to collect, every coin photographer has their own particular preferences. There are dozens and dozens of variations. My suggestion would be to buy a copy of Mark Goodman's book, Numismatic Photography, study it carefully and build your own set-up according to your needs and affordability.

Chris

 

I think he's trying to get an idea of what's out there and how we do it.

I do recommend getting Goodman's book.

When I get a chance, I'll take a picture of my setup.

 

Here is my setup. I have a Canon T3i body, with a 100mm Canon Macro lens. The camera is plugged in with the AC adapter, and I've got the USB tether to my computer (which is on the floor just to the left).

I have the ability to use 4 lights, but usually only use 2 or 3. One of these has a 60W light, the others have 100W, all of which are GE Reveal lights. These give a nice, bright, white light.

The copy stand is also incredibly important. I went with an Albinar 28" heavy duty stand - which provides an adjustable height and a sturdy, vibration free mount.

The whole setup can be expensive (I spent a little under $1k), but there are definitely cheaper options. The best places to save money are on the copy stand (you can get a pretty good one for half of what I spent), and the macro lens (I went with a pretty good lens, various third party manufacturers make more affordable lenses - or you can experiment with a homemade bellows setup for a very small sum).

 

Can't you get any more elaborate than that there Physics?

j/k there; NICE hardware...

I had 2 years Physics in college, but shooting macro with a digital cam (A 590is) is beyond me here... I've had better shots in the VA, NC mountains, going 50 mph on interstate, shooting blind, than I can get sitting at the desk here...

 

Oh, this is just a basic setup compared to the really over-the-top stuff I'm hoping some of these other guys will post. I've only got one lens, I don't have any tilting device, I don't have any diffusion or axial lighting setups.... I really do have a relatively basic setup!

The key with any photography is to just keep practicing and trying! I used a point-and-shoot for a long time - with just the right lighting and setup, you can get decent shots with those. Keep practicing!

 

After looking at how you have set up,I now see where i was going wrong...Everywhere...
Cool set up.

 

You are correct. Practice is the key. Even with great equipment it takes lots of practice.

 

And shoot lots of pictures........this is the digital age. We are no longer bound by the limitations of film photography, that being, waiting for the results to come in. We can view everything 'real time'. Don't see what ya like? Delete and start over.

 

Maybe @dougsmit will chime in here.

Tomorrow I hope to take some photos and I'll take a picture of my setup...it's pretty laughable so prepare to be underwhelmed.

 

I have two setups, but I rarely use the copy stand with either of my two macro lenses anymore since I've started using a microscope stand, bellows and duplicating lens.

The camera is a Canon 7D, though my results would likely be the same if I were using an entry level Canon DSLR. I use 2 and some times 3 Jansjos LED lights from Amazon at about $12 each.

I also tether my camera to the computer so you can see the coin live on your computer monitor and make any number of adjustments including fine focusing.

I made the switch to the smaller setup mainly because my results were equal or better than what I was getting with the copy stand/macro lens setup. I love the smaller desktop footprint of the microscope stand compared to the copy stand setup.

This photo shows the difference in size between the two setups. The microscope stand sits on the right side of the much larger copy stand. You may also notice that the larger macro lens (180mm) is almost half as large as the microscope stand. The copy stand column rises about 30 inches.



Quite a difference in size between the two macro lenses (100mm and 180mm) and the 75mm duplicating lens.



Here is my basic setup now using to LED lights.



I have added a vellum type paper as a reflector/deflector. I have it taped to the back of the lens and sometimes anchor it by taping the bottom of the paper to the microscope stand. I also put a couple of layers of the paper over the light lens to add a little diffusion.



Another view from the side.



What you see on the monitor

 

Think I need to get those lights!

 

How hot do those lights get? Bob, I've notified the Fire Marshall in your area.......

 

The big monitor is a 32" LED TV to give you an idea how big the Photobox is.

 

Wow, thanks for all the details on the nice setup, robec. The microscope stand sounds like an intriguing setup. Are you able with the 75mm and bellows, to get a shot wide enough for a whole slab to be in the frame? And I notice you shoot in AV and use exposure compensation to adjust; do you find this easier than coming up with a manual exposure setting and just leaving it alone?

 

The LED lights are nothing more than warm. You can even wrap kleenex around the lights without worrying about fire or hold the light with your hand for as long as you want without being burnt.

 

Because the bellows doesn't actually connect with the electronics of the camera, the camera won't recognize the exposure setting you have set on the lens. I find it easier to adjust the camera's exposure compensation. It depends a lot on the coin. Silver coins will need to be -1 or -2 stops lower than copper. There is a lot of trial and error.

 

Had a feeling you were gonna say that. OK, I called off the Fire Marshall.

 

I would, but it would be difficult to take a picture of me rolling over in my bed and taking a picture with my iPhone on my nightstand. The photos aren't tragic (well maybe compared to the experts here) but they luster is always pretty lost. I just shot this with a single lamp and cropped it all on my phone. I feel that it's decent enough for my purposes, but if I were a seller, I'd want much better.

 

Ain't too shabby Kirk....... And on a 'shoestring' too......