Trying my hand at coin photography

Thrindal

I have been trying some photography and creating Obv. and Rev. combo images for those coins without a Gold Shield. I decided to start with a larger coin. For a first attempt I think this is OK, I am not totally happy with the edges of the individual coin images but I am sure I will get better over time. The smaller the coin the harder this is going to be.

TurtleCat

It’s a good start indeed. The smaller coins really call for a dedicated macro lens and good lighting to get the most out of them. Depending upon your image editor of choice, an elliptical selection tool constrained to a circle goes a long way to making the coin edges look good. Getting sharper images will also help with the appearance. If you can set your lens to f/11 or so and your ISO to 100 and use a longer shutter speed it will help with overall image quality and micro contrast.

Thrindal

@TurtleCat said:
It’s a good start indeed. The smaller coins really call for a dedicated macro lens and good lighting to get the most out of them. Depending upon your image editor of choice, an elliptical selection tool constrained to a circle goes a long way to making the coin edges look good. Getting sharper images will also help with the appearance. If you can set your lens to f/11 or so and your ISO to 100 and use a longer shutter speed it will help with overall image quality and micro contrast.

Buying a Macro Lens for my camera in the short term is going to be tough but all very good information. I will do the best with what I have for now and be on the lookout for a Macro Lens.

TurtleCat

@Thrindal said:

@TurtleCat said:
It’s a good start indeed. The smaller coins really call for a dedicated macro lens and good lighting to get the most out of them. Depending upon your image editor of choice, an elliptical selection tool constrained to a circle goes a long way to making the coin edges look good. Getting sharper images will also help with the appearance. If you can set your lens to f/11 or so and your ISO to 100 and use a longer shutter speed it will help with overall image quality and micro contrast.

Buying a Macro Lens for my camera in the short term is going to be tough but all very good information. I will do the best with what I have for now and be on the lookout for a Macro Lens.

If you like the result of your lens you can get what are called diopters or closeup attachment filters. They let you get closer. Something like the Canon 250D or 500D, Nikon's or Hoyas +1, +2, +4 filters are also pretty good. They will make the image a bit softer, though, but they can be inexpensive ways of getting closer. Positioning your lights for a bit more contrast may be helpful, too. And if you resize your images after capture to post here it's always a good idea to add a small amount of sharpening to compensate for the resize process.

WAYNEAS

These were taken on my apple I7 cellphone.
Wayne

@Thrindal said:
I have been trying some photography and creating Obv. and Rev. combo images for those coins without a Gold Shield. I decided to start with a larger coin. For a first attempt I think this is OK, I am not totally happy with the edges of the individual coin images but I am sure I will get better over time. The smaller the coin the harder this is going to be.

ricko

@Thrindal.... Those pictures look great to me.... I am not qualified to critique coin photography. Cheers, RickO

airplanenut

I'd suggest toying with the light and moving it a little higher. What you have is a good start and shows the coin well overall, but the light appears to be washing out the coin a bit. If the light is a bit harsher, you'll bring out a bit more color and some sharpness to the details.

WaterSport

Taking a proof pic is dang hard - nicely done.

WS

Coinscratch

Tag for info. I'll be unpacking my new system in the next couple of days.