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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;SuperDave, post: 95804, member: 1892&quot;]The term &quot;cameo,&quot; like Speedy said, is probably the wrong one to use with Morgans like this. Early strikes from fresh dies produce a really nice frosted effect on the raised sections, while the fields have a deep mirror. It resembles what we accurately call &quot;cameo&quot; in a proof, while not being exactly the same. My coin quacked, so I called it a duck. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>For the actual pictures, I use my Minolta Z2, which happens to have a really nice macro capability. I use the SuperMacro function, aimed downwards on a small tripod with the lens about 4 inches from the coin, which is mounted on a black background and tilted to be parallel with the lens. At that distance a Morgan fills the frame. I can go closer yet for the smaller coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>For lighting I use a small table lamp with a GE Reveal bulb aimed indirectly. I get equal results with aperture at F8.0 and exposure around 1/4-1/2 second, or F3.2 and 1/200 or so. I use the Tungsten white balance preset and play with that in Photoshop if necessary - I&#039;ve found with my camera that setting a custom white balance doesn&#039;t do any better. I need a second light source to completely eliminate the shadows - right now I&#039;m not getting nearly the picture quality that can be had.</p><p><br /></p><p>At these settings, using the maximum pic size setting, the final cropped coin pic is about 1300 pixels square. The big image I posted above is 1327x1296 actual. It&#039;s darn near enough to identify the smaller VAM&#039;s. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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