Minimizing slab glare
in2Coins
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Working on a cover to minimize slab glare. Camera setting is on Manual mode and auto white balance so no changes occurs. The covered slab seems to have more brightness and more pop.
I made the cover in a way that you swap the lid’s size/diameter.
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I think that might prevent enough light from getting in, photo looks a tad dark for my taste.
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Would stronger light bulb solve that issue?
Try this, as shown in "in2Coins" thread.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1106418/new-copy-stands-added-axial-pics#latest> @in2Coins said:
Simply moving the lights to a slightly less overhead angle should allow a coin like that Boone to be photographed with no glare on the plastic. That said, the photos are significantly underexposed. I'd bump the exposure and/or make sure the metering is center/center-weighted.
You are linking to the OP's own thread!
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Why not use a diffuser?
Oooops!! Wrong link
I believe you need a baffle and a black background opposite the light source.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgb0RR41shM
This video may be helpful.
The black background prevents a reflection from the wall. It will have zero effect on glare from the slab itself which is right on top of the coin. In fact, the entire setup is designed to actually bounce the light off the slab (coin).
The only real solution is to use lighting that isn't directional.
I’m a lazy photographer and don’t have the patience for real professional photography, but I find that if I put a few drops of optically clear compass oil on the slab right on top of where the coin is, that it makes a dome of oil that causes lighting reflections and slab glare move off of being right on top of the coin and only visible on the periphery of the dome of oil. It’s like the slab on top of the coin becomes invisible to the camera. Like this:
It works on NGC slabs too, which tend to have more glare/reflections than PCGS
Mr_Spud
This is the compass oil I’m using, it’s basically volatile mineral oil that slowly evaporates, so I can wipe it off with a paper towel and any residue I miss will evaporate off
Mr_Spud
I use the same compass oil. Works great!
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That's a great solution.
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How many drops is necessary?
I use an eyedropper to put on enough to cover the entire coin window, to where you don’t notice that it’s on there. It fills in all the scratches, and it seems like it improves the optical clarity. Sometimes I just spread it out manually to get it evenly applied.
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Do you use or recommend a glass eye dropper for this?
National Commemorative Medals of the U.S. Mint:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/medals-tokens/national-commemorative-medals-united-states-mint-1940-present/alltimeset/195526
Probably, though i think i used a cheap plastic one. Any dropper will do.
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Yeah, any dropper will do. I use one similar to these that I brought home from work
Mr_Spud
WD-40 works quite well
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How do you clean it off when you're done or does it just wipe off?
That's a first for me! Great solution and Great Pictures too!!
I just blot the oil up with a paper towel and gently wipe. Because the compass oil is slowly volatile any residue evaporates off.
Mr_Spud
The oil will also fill in any scratches or micro abrasions to make it clearer. Highly recommend.