Coin Photography

[Nevol]

Nevol, I'm more interested in your photo setup. The only thing I haven't tried is axial lighting but your full dollar photo's show the coin with just a few hotspots. You also seem to just be using a single light at 12.00 o'clock so I suspect you're not using axial lighting. I'm interested in your lighting setup.

I don't have any particular photo or lighting set up, all I use is my Kaiser Baas scope,  removed it from its little stand, and taken it out of the little cradle, (both useless IMHO), so by appearances, it's totally hand-held.

I've adapted several Tupperware containers (TWC) to be my 'stands' by cutting circles in the bottoms just the right size for the black section of the barrel of the scope to fit in snugly. I found TW to be the best due to the way it sort of 'grips' the barrel of the scope, other plastics just don't do the job.

The TWC are all different heights for different sized coins, so I can get as large an image as possible without too much fiddling around.  I used to try and use external lighting, but it was taking too long, so I now use the built in LED's on full 'power' so to speak, and if there is any reflection at all, I tip the TWC with the scope firmly inserted until the reflection disappears or is barely visible on the rim of the coin.

I still have to steady the scope with my left hand as the TWC are fairly lightweight and the scope makes it a bit top heavy and prone to falling over.   I never take the picture using the button on the scope, it causes movement so I just use the mouse.

I don't get the same quality of image that others achieve, but they've probably spent hundreds of $$$, where I've ruined a few plastic containers. Cheap as chips.

Very low-tech, and it all sound very convoluted, but hey it's what works for me.
I can't use a camera what with shaky hands and very poor eyesight, nothing is ever in focus, and trying to take a photo with my glasses on is just too much hassle.

If you'd like to see images of the TWC I adapted, just ask.   :grin:

Happy to answer any questions you might have. :winkextra:

[Steveqld]

Many thanks, you're doing better than I am.  I think the two things I got out of it is that the TW containers are probably translucent to even the light out a bit and the fact that you're tilting the coin to avoid reflections.

I'm using a digital SLR (40d Canon older version) with the light at 10 and 2 but it's not doing it for me with the more recent coins.

I did intend to try out the circular LED lighting like you get with the microscope with one of these

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310399772518&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:AU:3160

and using the oyster white diffuser but that's an unknown.

Like your idea with the scope.  I also tossed the stand as useless but adapted a rubber toilet fitting ($2.50) to sit it in (probably explains why my photos are cr***y) and connected that to the copy stand - choose the zoom on the scope then focus with the stand mechanism then click with the mouse.

Santa also ordered me one of these:

http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Numismatic-Photography-Mark-Goodman/9781933990040

If nothing else I'm helping the economy (In Hong Kong and the US).  Probably a bit extravagant compared to the quality with your setup but it's an interest.

Thanks again.

[markn]

Our setup http://www.australian-threepence.com/blog/2011/04/how-we-take-our-coin-photos.html works fine in most situations.  I've found it sadly lacking when it comes to modern proofs, modern mirror finish decimals (such as wedding set coins), and high grade aluminium bronze coins.  I suspect most of the fault lays with the tradesman (me) rather than the tools though.

[Goldseeker]

Markn-Link is not working.....

[Nevol]

Markn-Link is not working.....

Try this one: http://www.australian-threepence.com/blog/numismatic-photography/2011/04/

[Australian coin]

I have been thinking about how to upgrade my photography,
And will try to do this that I had seen, http://woodgears.ca/macro/index.html
It should be easy to get a lens from somewhere or even use a magnifying glass.
Also started to get a rig up with lighting, so I can take pics any time instead of on sunny days.
The USB gizmo is good for super zoom in but I don’t get good pictures when I want the whole coin in the shot.
So I now have to look at improving my old camera.

[Robster]

Just had a squizz at the macro site suggested here, people always seem to find ways around problems don't they.! I have been carrying a penny around for weeks and simply asking everyone I visit if I can take a photo with whatever camera they own. I also recently bought a second hand Enlarging stand to fix my camera to and am experimenting with various lens and extension tubes.! I think the best results will come when the "Minister for Finance" approves the purchase of a dedicated Macro lens.!! Lets hope we can assist each other to become more proficient in this interesting but at times incredibly frustrating project.!!

[trout]

I recently bought a Fujifilm T200.
10x zoom and 14 magawhatsits.
Takes a nice pic but blurs a bit with my shakey hands (Beer helps aliviate this a bit :good:)
I would imagine a tripod would be the way to go.
The missus gave all our tupperware to the grandmiscreants to play with, so I will have a squizz at the tip shop on my next rubbish run.

[Triggersmob]

This is my basic set up..

First make a base and colour it black. Place a screw in the middle and top with a piece of felt.


Place coin on top of screw (felt will stop stratching).


Cut down a milk or juice carton and place over the top (try different length cartons to get best focus). Shine light through the side of carton (this will stop glare).


I then place a magnifying glass, that I removed from a telescope,
over the top. Place the camera on top of this (this helps to steady it)
and then take pic. I use fully automatic setting on macro.


End result...

[keldaw]

triggersmob , why the screw please ?
why cant you just put it on the black base    ,, kel ,,

[Australian coin]

Triggersmob,
Wow that’s so cool!

keldaw,
I don’t think that it matters if it’s a screw or not (screw probably has a larger flat top to work with), I think the principle is to get the coin up, so the camera takes the pic of the coin and not the background, I guess it helps with lighting too.

[Triggersmob]

It is so the camera focuses on the coin only, and the background fades out.
If you look at the final pic, the background is solid black, but I use a woven
piece of black cloth as the background and you would see all the threads if
I just laid the coin on the cloth.

Oops! Just noticed Australia Coins reply, so yes that's it.

And the best thing is, it cost nothing.

[keldaw]

thanks guys , a great answer , and i do believe it after trying it ..

    ,, kel ,,

[Triggersmob]

thanks guys , a great answer , and i do believe it after trying it ..

    ,, kel ,,

Where's the pic then?

[Goldseeker]

Sorry, lost the print due to the negative being out dated..........hehehehe