I pinched this idea from the Photography section (http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=157266) of CCF. My carpentry skills are not exactly up to AJ standard. :grin: Here the camera is about 140mm above the coin but I think I need to get closer. :friends:
Sample pic coming up.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/IMG_0664.JPG)
I got this one from the robbiegal coin shop:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/1959Y_Penny_RG.png)
Very nice indeed!
Thanks Mark it would be hard to make that penny look bad. So I thought I would try something less glamorous. I moved the coin to 100mm from the camera. Background is photocopy paper.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/1915_Halfpenny_RB.png)
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it's all about doing the job Bob and that looks to be doing it fine :)
Do you need to move the light a little so it lights up the bottom of the coin a bit more, lookin good :good:
Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='28158' dateline='1379133877'Do you need to move the light a little so it lights up the bottom of the coin a bit more, lookin good :good:
Thanks mate, I see what you mean. I can't get the lights any closer, they are almost touching the camera but I can move the coin toward the light since its not taking up the whole frame. :d_training:
Take 2. The obverse is very close to what the coin looks like in hand. I must have had the reverse in a slightly different position. In the thread at CCF the guy had the coin sitting on a piece of metal pipe but I might try a wooden dowel.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/1915_Halfpenny_RB2.png)
Quote from: 'r9453' pid='28159' dateline='1379134978'Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='28158' dateline='1379133877'Do you need to move the light a little so it lights up the bottom of the coin a bit more, lookin good :good:
Thanks mate, I see what you mean. I can't get the lights any closer, they are almost touching the camera but I can move the coin toward the light since its not taking up the whole frame. :d_training:
Don't move the lights closer to coin.
That will produce ugly unwanted hotspots on image.
(The Jansjo's put out quite a few watts)
Set your camera's white balance to Manual (If you can)
Your 1959 image with White Balance corrected:-
(http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv160/ford_prefect/Australian%20Coin%20Forum/1959Y_Penny_RG_zpsa45767de.jpg)
Wow thanks Rob, I had a feeling there was something wrong in that that department. Unfortunately the camera has no option to set the WB to Manual, you can set it to Auto, Incandescent, Fluro 1, 2 & 3 + Sunny & Cloudy. I will experiment and see if one is better than the others. I saw how to correct for it using Gimp but I assume its best to get it right in the camera.
I'm not sure about this, I think it might be OK.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/1936_Sixpence_HT.png)
I think you'd get better pictures by moving your camera (and lights) FURTHER away from your coin. Right now your lights are not diffuse enough and too directional. It will lead to smaller images but I am told size isn't everything.
but I am told size isn't everything
:scratch_one-s_head: I'm trying so very hard to be good :laugh2:
Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='28188' dateline='1379147514':scratch_one-s_head: I'm trying so very hard to be good :laugh2:
Me too. It's always women that tell me that too. Women I know well. Perhaps I should be reading something into it.:winkextra:
must resist temptation, must resist temptation, must resist temptation :dontknow: how much more I can take :winkextra:
Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='28193' dateline='1379148173'must resist temptation, must resist temptation, must resist temptation :dontknow: how much more I can take :winkextra:
Count backwards from ten and breathe deeply. I'll stop provoking you :)
Quote from: 'markn' pid='28194' dateline='1379148219'Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='28193' dateline='1379148173'must resist temptation, must resist temptation, must resist temptation :dontknow: how much more I can take :winkextra:
Count backwards from ten and breathe deeply. I'll stop provoking you :)
HeHe I can just see AJ now.
Boxing gloves on so he can't type and blood pouring from his mouth where he is biting his toung :yahoo::laugh2:
Quote from: 'markn' pid='28184' dateline='1379147054'I think you'd get better pictures by moving your camera (and lights) FURTHER away from your coin. Right now your lights are not diffuse enough and too directional. It will lead to smaller images but I am told size isn't everything.
The camera and lights are pretty much fixed at about 270mm. I tried 270 and 200 but you end up with teeny weeny itzy bitzy you know what. :mocking:
This one at 140mm seems reasonable:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/1949_Halfpenny_MB.png)
I am soo going to get out the "Skilly" and the tech screws tomorrow Mate.
Great pic's and Innovative thinking Mate :yahoo:
could you use a mirror to direct the light :)
It wasn't my idea :idea: troutski I saw it over at the CCF. You need a 1/4" thread for the camera, surprisingly they are not metric. And a wingnut makes it easier to attach the camera.
"could you use a mirror to direct the light"
I'm not sure but in the original thread the guy uses the timer and covers the whole shebang with a heavy dark cloth. He also made a light diffuser out of a plastic milk container.
Quote from: 'r9453' pid='28208' dateline='1379151954'He also made a light diffuser out of a plastic milk container.
That works, especially if you have a lens the same size as the spout. Failing that, a light white fabric works too, just avoid folds, which will cast shadows. Or use white card or commercial reflectors if you must.
Try a support smaller than the coin diameter too, so the coin stands clear of the backdrop.
And yes, white balance is best set in the camera, but you
can fix it in post (production).
Quote from: 'Fulvio' pid='28221' dateline='1379153485'Try a support smaller than the coin diameter too, so the coin stands clear of the backdrop.
:yahoo: Now I know why he used the pipe, but timber dowel should be just as good.
I used a large screw on my set up. Place some felt on top and it will protect the coin from scratches and the coin won't slip around as much.
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e296/triggersmob/Coins/001-11.jpg)
I also use the milk jug diffuser, this also acts as a steady base to rest the camera on.
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e296/triggersmob/Coins/004-4.jpg)
Sample pic..
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e296/triggersmob/Coins/008-1.jpg)
Thanks Steve, good pic I like the black background. I need to get some black felt.
Quote from: 'r9453' pid='28240' dateline='1379164449'Thanks Steve, good pic I like the black background. I need to get some black felt.
Yes, I prefer black, it gets rid of the shadows.
I prefer black as the background as well
Quote from: 'Triggersmob' pid='28262' dateline='1379201374'Quote from: 'r9453' pid='28240' dateline='1379164449'Thanks Steve, good pic I like the black background. I need to get some black felt.
Yes, I prefer black, it gets rid of the shadows.
Not only does it get rid of the shadows it makes the coin stand out so you can see the finer details :angel:
I've been chatting to Fulvio and I was going to revive this thread in any case. I need to refine and update my photo skills. I still have the same basic setup but I have added 2 more Jansjo lights based on the idea that too much light is never enough.
The problem is my coin photos are getting worse. I can't seem to get the settings right anymore. Do silver and copper coins require different settings?
Links to ACF coin photo threads:
https://www.australian-coins.net/showthread.php?tid=2354
https://www.australian-coins.net/showthread.php?tid=2830
https://www.australian-coins.net/showthread.php?tid=1078
https://www.australian-coins.net/showthread.php?tid=1762
https://www.australian-coins.net/showthread.php?tid=728
https://www.australian-coins.net/showthread.php?tid=2406
This is my camera - Olympus FE-26:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/fe-26_x-21_instruction_manual_en.pdf
EDIT: Another camera thread :-
https://www.australian-coins.net/showthread.php?tid=3957
Here is a recent image, not cropped, you can see the lights arranged in the corners:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/P5071217-resize.jpg)
Image properties:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/Capture-P5071217-resize.JPG)
I guess its not terrible but...
Quote from: 'r9453' pid='88592' dateline='1463081918'I have added 2 more Jansjo lights based on the idea that too much light is never enough.
I don't think I agree with that, actually. Have a look at coin shot with a ringflash and notice how lifeless they look. Or a USB scope for that matter.
You actually DO want shadows most of the time. That's what lifts the detail and provides depth. Go back and look at your very first pic in this thread. It was gorgeous. Try and replicate what you did there, because it was working for you. THEN you can refine it.
I've found that two lights is optimal for contrast arranged at 10 and 2. Multiple lights from multiple directions means you loose the relief and the coins end up looking flat. The only time I use three lights is for large very lustrous coins. In those cases I have another light at 6 that removes the dark spot that large lustrous coins seem to have.
I did look at my previous efforts and that's what led me back to this thread. I think you might be onto something, I'll try imaging the 50c again with two lights this time.
Quote from: 'r9453' pid='88594' dateline='1463090253'(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/Capture-P5071217-resize.JPG)
You're better off having a higher f-stop (F10 or F11) and a slightly slower exposure. You get a slightly depth of focus and (theoretically) it supposed to show toning a better than lower F-stops.
Quote from: 'r9453' pid='88592' dateline='1463081918'The problem is my coin photos are getting worse. I can't seem to get the settings right anymore. Do silver and copper coins require different settings?
I only vary exposure time. Brown and Red-Brown is usually 1/200 or 1/250 and silver 1/320 or a bit quicker. All on F11.
Same 50c coin as before, lights at 10 and 2 (however not pointing straight down at 90 deg. to the coin, more like 45 deg.). With the 4 lights I was trying all sorts of things and I forgot to straighten them back up.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/2000_50Cent_Incused_DG28aUnc29-2_Resize.jpg)
Quote from: 'markn' pid='88627' dateline='1463112876'You're better off having a higher f-stop (F10 or F11) and a slightly slower exposure. You get a slightly depth of focus and (theoretically) it supposed to show toning a better than lower F-stops.
Thanks for your input. I'm not sure if I can change the F-stop. The second image of the 50c is still at f/4.9 but the exposure was 1/500th sec. I'll try the 50c again with the lights directed straight down.
Lights adjusted (the exposure altered itself to 1/1250th sec.) still not quite right (maybe too close):
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/2000_50Cent_Incused_DG28aUnc29-3_Resize.jpg)
Try a diffuser.
Quote from: 'Fulvio' pid='88635' dateline='1463117055'Try a diffuser.
I have one made up and ready to go.
Coin 140mm from camera:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/2000_50Cent_Incused_DG28aUnc29-4_Resize.jpg)
Coin 100mm from camera:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11093/2000_50Cent_Incused_DG28aUnc29-5_Resize.jpg)
That's diffused light? Still seems to have hot spots. Try moving the lights further away.
Quote from: 'Fulvio' pid='88649' dateline='1463130326'That's diffused light? Still seems to have hot spots. Try moving the lights further away.
Yep, a 2L milk container, it might need some fine tuning. Hang the expense I will make another and try again tomorrow.
I set my camera up last year with a lot of help from members on this forum :good::heart:
I have totally forgotten what I did but most of the images I take now are fairly acceptable .
I think if I try to mess about with the settings again I would bugger it up now :angel:
There are some very helpful and skillful photographers on this forum and I thank them. Your photos are much better than acceptable. My latest mistake was to add the extra lights, once I went back to the original configuration my results returned - I still need to fine tune a few things but I would say they are acceptable.
Have a play around using different background colours.
Mrs Trout cut out some nice soft cotton squares in different colours for me.
I found the light grey produced nice results with silver :good:
Quote from: 'trout' pid='88711' dateline='1463266116'Have a play around using different background colours.
Yes, and also raise the coin off the background. The separation, loss of shadow and putting the backdrop out of focus will help.
I don't seem to be able to reproduce the camera settings which worked reasonably well previously. The current settings are on the left and previous on the right. It looks to me that if I could get the shutter speed down to less than 1/500 things would improve a lot. Correct me if I'm wrong but 1/2000 or even 1/1000 does not allow for enough light.
The shots of the incuse 50c have similar settings to those on the left.
There is no direct setting on the camera for shutter speed or F-stop. You can indirectly influence these things by adjusting the shooting mode and light source which I have tried.
(http://i.imgur.com/RIvaOfE.jpg)
EDIT: I tried again yesterday, took about 50 shots of the same coin but could not get the shutter speed below 1/1000. Moving the coin further away helped but there is a diminishing return in that once the distance is > 150mm the image becomes too small.