What does a MILLION dollar coin photography set up look like?

Free is good, bud!! Kudos for creativity!

 

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I have a Google pixel so it is a nice camera on a phone but I'm sure any non free smart phone will work!

I shoot in a dark room cause it seems to help prevent other light interference.

And you're correct about the light. I find different coins look better with different angles of the light and sometimes I'll tilt my phone by putting something under it.

Also make sure you have a stand, it helps the camera focus on the coin and not it's surroundings

 

@Cascade I think I need to find a more broad light like that. I'll adjust as I go ha.

@Kirkuleez I'm trying, I'm going I'm going! Ha I'm just trying not to spam

 

So what type light is that? Is LED best?

 

I have no idea lol I chose to use a led because it's a white light. I know when my normal room light reflects off of the coin it gives them all a yellow tint that makes them look gold toned. That can ruin the look of some toned coins IMO.

 

I've shot a few million dollar coins with my setup, so I guess it looks like mine.

 

@messydesk that's really exciting, what coins?

Also I'm gonna shoot a 100 dollar coin 10,000 times and my set up will be worth millions ha I'll start booking at 1.2 mil

 

Eliasberg 1879 Quintuple Stella pattern, Mormon $10 gold come to mind. Also shot the Smithsonian's 1849 and 1933 $20s, but those were in their display at a show, and I didn't haul my entire rig over to their exhibit, just enough to draw their attention.

 

My current iPhone setup can be seen on page 11 of that thread, Cascade. It works really well for silver dollars. I do have a Canon Rebel T6 now, but I haven't purchased a dedicated macro lens yet.

 

That was a great picture. I like the idea of the multiple lights, i think I'll play with different types of light and the number of lights.

 

It's not the Million Dollar set up, or the Million Dollar equipment used, but the keen 'eye' of the photographer............

 

Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm new at this and my pictures thus far kinda stink. I don't know why I never thought of using my iPhone. Can't wait to try this out. Great post for all newbies

 

@Traci no problem! I'm glad I helped!

 

Cool idea, will have to work on one for myself, thanks. The 1985-D penny, it doesn't look copper color, is that the way it really looks? I have one penny that doesn't have a copper plating on it, it's a 1986-P not D, I'm thinking someone removed it somehow.

 

Not sure, that was a coin from my change years ago.

 

The only million dollar camera set-up I can think of looks like this:

It is an electron microscope (which might be a little overkill for most of us). I stole the picture from here: https://www.uow.edu.au/research-and...ow-electron-microscopy-centre/emc-facilities/

 

Soft white light bulbs put out a yellow tint, day light bulbs put out bright white light, the higher the K-value, the brighter it is.

 

I think my son has that phone, I'll have to try it the next time he comes over. My phone is old, it's a Galaxy s4, had it all these years and still can't deal with it.

 

Heritage's photo room comes to mind. 20 or so stations, each set up the same way, in a large, staffed room. I'll bet their annual photo costs are north of $1 million when you consider wages, benefits, and cost of the office space.

 

Todd at BluCC might not have a million $ set up at the show,
but his photos are.