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updated my camera set up

FullHornFullHorn Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 30, 2019 11:30AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I picked up a "close-up-stand" on Craigslist, an EL Nikkor 75mm enlarging lens on e-bay, some adapters and a led ring light.

Just getting started but this looks promising. Feel free to make comments or show your set up.




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    blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,901 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nicely done!

    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
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    goldengolden Posts: 9,054 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice setup. Looks like you are serious.

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    TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What's your overall impression of the "ring light"?

    My biggest issue is lighting, and I thought that it sounded like a great idea(!) But I've heard others claim it doesn't work well with coins, so I didn't pursue it.

    What say ye?

    Easily distracted Type Collector
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    jgennjgenn Posts: 738 ✭✭✭✭✭

    How does the LED light ring work for larger coins, say silver dollar size? My setup is not nearly as sophisticated as yours and I have trouble imaging large coins in slabs with my LED light ring due to the reflection.

    Amazing 8s * Silver Dollars of '60 * My World Crown Affair
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    FullHornFullHorn Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think the ring light works great with all sizes of RAW coins. Shooting in slabs and trying to capture color seems to be a challenge with any lighting.

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    OriginalDanOriginalDan Posts: 3,723 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Which ring light are you using?

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    FullHornFullHorn Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OriginalDan said:
    Which ring light are you using?

    Its made by Aputure. It would be nice to have one that plugs in the wall instead of using batteries.

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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    WELL DONE!! Great pictures and impressive set up.... I use my phone - and the poor quality of my pictures is obvious. Cheers, RickO

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    shortnockshortnock Posts: 371 ✭✭✭

    Mightyfine photos. Congratulations.

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    QCCoinGuyQCCoinGuy Posts: 325 ✭✭✭✭

    Great images!

    Dealing in Canadian and American coins and historical medals.

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    BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,732 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very nice. SHARP focus, which is really hard to achieve.

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    Eric_BabulaEric_Babula Posts: 413 ✭✭✭✭

    Very, VERY nice pics! I'm planning on setting my light stand up this coming weekend and doing some test shots. I'll let you know if anything turns out! Do you use any other lighting besides the ring light?

    Rocking my "shiny-object-syndrome"!!!

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    FullHornFullHorn Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Eric_Babula said:
    Very, VERY nice pics! I'm planning on setting my light stand up this coming weekend and doing some test shots. I'll let you know if anything turns out! Do you use any other lighting besides the ring light?

    I have used the built in light holders with LED bulbs and have had similar results as the "ring" but it is one or the other as the ring blocks out the bulbs from behind or above.

    Strait above the coin light seems to work best for color and coverage.

    Found this old pic of my Close-up stand.

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    SwampboySwampboy Posts: 12,885 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very good results!

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    messydeskmessydesk Posts: 19,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice! What's your working distance? How do large coins in slabs come out with the right light?

    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
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    1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,772 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice pictures of nice coins :smile:

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

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    Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,356 ✭✭✭✭✭

    FANTASTIC pics! Nice work.

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
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    FullHornFullHorn Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @messydesk said:
    Nice! What's your working distance? How do large coins in slabs come out with the right light?

    Disassembled right now but around 8" I would guess. I have a couple different size extension tubes that I can add or subtract to change magnification.

    I have not tried any dollars in slabs yet.

    Now that I see how this stuff works, I am considering maybe a used 105mm enlarging lens to get some more working distance.

    Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

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    crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 13,809 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great looking pics. I’ve gotta say I’ve never had very good luck with the ring lights. I find them difficult to use especially to pick up the colors on coins. But that’s just the start. You are very limited as to the location of your light. But if it works for you that’s all that matters. I’ve also seen some nice Buffs coming from you too. Keep at it buddy. Practice makes perfect.

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
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    savitalesavitale Posts: 1,406 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've also stayed away from the ring lights due to negative reviews. But your photo looks great. I'd love to see a slabbed coin photo with the ring light, even if it's not so impressive.

    LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album

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    FullHornFullHorn Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @savitale said:
    I've also stayed away from the ring lights due to negative reviews. But your photo looks great. I'd love to see a slabbed coin photo with the ring light, even if it's not so impressive.

    The ring light has a control to turn half of the lights off. That is what I do, Light only from the top of the coin.

    It looks horrible with all lights on. You can also very the intensity. I was trying to get good color shots so I pushed the

    coin to the edge of the reflection off the slab. You can see this at the edge of these coins, If I were to pull them back the

    pic is better but the color goes away rather quickly.



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    savitalesavitale Posts: 1,406 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for posting. Not as bad as I thought it would be. The scratches on the slab don't make it easy.

    LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album

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