Coin Photography

Goldseeker · January 28, 2013, 04:14:15 PM

Why not use a scanner if you have one? All the pickies of coins I post have been done with my Canon Canoscan 8600F. I edit the scans with ACDC. Bingo.

It gets a bit harder to photograph/scan coins that are in a location other than home though.

WavyTwenty · January 29, 2013, 03:22:33 PM

I enjoy cameras - I have a nice one but I as of yet haven't taken any pictures of my coins. I have a Nikon D7000 which cost me a few bucks over 1k when I got it. I'm sure that it will be able to take good photos, but none taken yet.

Why haven't I? Because I don't have a tripod. I'm looking at getting a carbon fiber one - but it's going to set me back about $200. I really should get me one of those. I'll use this as another wake-up call to get me one.

Wavy20

robbiegal · February 19, 2013, 06:22:28 PM

I have been in Melbourne for a few weeks and I bought a new camera to take pictures of coins errr,........ the new grandchild!
Has 24 zoom 14 megpixels - olympus $157 on special
Will post a pic when I take some more but the practice shots were brilliant.
The guy at the shop did help me to get the settings right
Do remember to take the 'macro' (the flower) off for some shots as well or it can buggar up the pic as well

Robster · February 20, 2013, 03:18:02 PM

1942 Penny Small Figure 1. Would like opinions on this pic. (adjusted lighting)

accumulator · February 20, 2013, 04:25:31 PM

It's an excellent pic IMO. I'd be very happy if i could get every one of my pics that good.

markn · February 20, 2013, 04:25:46 PM

What sort of lighting is that Robster? How many lights? What angles? Nice pic btw.

Robster · February 20, 2013, 04:42:57 PM

Thankyou both, I am slowly improving I believe.! I am using two of the Jansjo Gooseneck LED reading lights at approx 11 and 1 o'clock. Took me five shots to where I felt happy.! Cropped, resized, and posted.!
I have one more coin for today which proved to be tough, will post for opinions next.!

1947 Penny Streaky Planchet.:yahoo:

accumulator · February 20, 2013, 05:33:19 PM

Lovely coin & great pics, does that coin have an orange peel effect or is it the colouring that makes it appear that way ?

Robster · February 20, 2013, 05:46:47 PM

Definitely a molten metal type finish. Probably why the streaking occurred IMO.

purplepennyhunter · February 20, 2013, 07:06:36 PM

Nice streaker!

robbiegal · February 20, 2013, 07:58:44 PM

took these pics last night with the new camera
for the first time in years I have not used a maginfyer over the lens for my close ups!!

taken on the macros (the little flower with the s)
and just sitting under a desk lamp (fluro)
i am delighted with the photos taken of coins in slabs as they are the clearest pics that I have ever been able to get through the acrylic holders
and the last pic is the real reason why I bought the camera - Ariana born 12/2/2013
cheers robbie

Quote from: 'Robster' pid='8405' dateline='1361335682'
1942 Penny Small Figure 1. Would like opinions on this pic. (adjusted lighting)

Hi robster
I find it hard to take a photo and have the denticles evenly photographed around the entire rim of the coin - you have achieved that in this photo - well done!

markn · February 20, 2013, 09:13:12 PM

Quote from: 'robbiegal' pid='8422' dateline='1361352524'

Cute coin. Looks recently minted.

markn · February 20, 2013, 09:16:04 PM

Quote from: 'Robster' pid='8409' dateline='1361340777'Thankyou both, I am slowly improving I believe.! I am using two of the Jansjo Gooseneck LED reading lights at approx 11 and 1 o'clock.

Your images show the light is coming from the bottom of the coin so it's not 11 and 1 o'clock. I think coins always look more natural with the lighting from the top. Try to get your lights up near to your lens. Ideally you want the light hitting the coin at as close to 90 degrees as possible. The only way to do this is to get your lights as far away from the coin as you can and still give enough light AND get them as close to your lens as possible.

Robster · February 21, 2013, 09:43:31 AM

robbiegal, your new camera does a fine job and will give you many years of enjoyment, however Ariana is the real gem in this collection.!! Congratulations on the new arrival.:yahoo:

Steveqld · February 21, 2013, 06:00:03 PM

I had a rostered day off so decided to try out a few tips from a coin photography book. Excuse the size of the images again. I resized them to 400 pixels but they seem the same size as the last lot that I resized to 600 pixels.

I deliberately used common circulated currency because I was after some lustre in the fields but also some surface damage.

This is a millennium with the standard 2 lights at 11 and 1.

[/img]

The same coin with 1 light at 11 o'clock and tilted towards the light

[/img]

Then a shot with axial lighting as I hadn't done this before

[/img]

This is the same sequence with a rams head 50 cent because I was after the contrast from the creases in the wool.

[/img]

[/img]

Will add the axial image later as Photobucket is playing up again.

[/img]