Coin photography

Piano1

Hello, everyone. After several years away, I am back on this terrific site. Now retired and 72, my son or grandson are not interested in coins so I am thinking of selling some of my collection so my family won't have to deal with this when I am "gone". I have a nifty new digital camera (Kodak PIXPRO FZ55) and have not yet succeeded with decent photos. I think I need a tripod. Anyway, will a small "6 inch" tripod allow me to take photos of coins that I put on the top of my desk? I really don't know how to take decent coin photos. I figure at a later date, I can relearn E-Bay and load pictures from my camera. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated. Thanks SO much!! Piano1 (MusicAl) Alan in NH

LanceNewmanOCC

in the past year alone there have been myriad threads on this subject. so while others obviously may comment here to your thread to help you out, please feel free to look over some of these threads.

i did the search prerequisites for you.

https://forums.collectors.com/search?adv=1&search=photography&title=&author=&cat=26&subcats=1&tags=&discussion_idea=1&discussion_discussion=1&comment_comment=1&discussion_poll=1&discussion_question=1&comment_answer=1&within=1+year&date=01/14/2023

Piano1

Hello, rickO and LanceNewmanOCC and thank you both for your replies. I have gotten quite rusty in my time away from this site, but I will try to revive my skills. I'll be hunting down info posted here on coin photography and LanceNewmannOCC, thanks for helping me with the "Prerequisites".

Best to you both. Piano1

LanceNewmanOCC

@Piano1 said:

.
next step, post a pic!

spyglassdesign

@Piano1 I found a camera mount, or many use a copy stand of some sort around here, works much better than a tripod. I got mine off Amazon and it just attaches to the desk. Once you have a stable mount for your camera you need some lights. I also got mine off Amazon and they work fairly well.

There are many others here who will be glad to help you along the way as well!

Don't be afraid to ask questions!

ricko

@Piano1... Welcome back. We have several expert coin photographers as members. I am sure they will be along shortly to help you. Good luck, Cheers, RickO

messydesk

I took a peek at the specs for your camera and it might be challenging to get good coin photos with it. The camera can't focus closer than 39" in telephoto mode. You'll have to be pretty close to the coin in macro mode, which will make lighting a challenge. The camera is capable of focusing to 2". You'll want a working distance of about 6" so that you can light the coin. A 6" tripod might be a little short but could work well enough. I did a presentation several years ago on getting decent pictures with a cheap setup. Give it a watch.

Piano1

Hello, messydesk, and thanks very much for your guidance with my coin photo endeavors. I will watch the video this evening. Can't promise a picture too soon though. Need to figure out the camera and see where I get with a tripod first...and lighting of course.

Many thanks.