Digital coin pics 1 of 3 – equipment ideas and close-ups
Blade
Posts: 1,744 ✭
I purchased a Kodak digital camera in Sept, 2001 to take pictures of our new daughter. I ventured into coins in Dec, 2001 and since then have been reading all sorts of great advice on digital photography on this Forum. For Christmas this year, I asked my wife to get me some gear for taking coin pics and she came through. I’ve spent some time performing various experiments and thought the readers of the Forums could benefit from my findings and add their own comments so that I can take this to the next step.
Since I don’t want to overload a single thread with too many pictures, I’m breaking it into 3 topics. This thread will talk about equipment setup and how they enable close-ups. The second will address lighting and the third using white balance on the camera (it makes a huge difference).
I used the following equipment to take my pics:
A Kodak DC4800 3.1 megapixel digital camera. The more megapixels, the better, because the higher resolution allows 8x10 high quality printouts but more importantly for coins enables you to zoom in with software for close-ups. Cost was $500 for mine.
2 close-up 43MM lenses (+10X and +7X) and an adaptor to make them fit my camera. Cost for lenses and adaptor was $60.
Tabletop tripod. I splurged here and got a really good one. I tried a simple model in the store and found a major drawback in that it could not be adjusted for height. So I bought one that has a rod in the middle that can adjust from 8” to 16”. This was a HUGE help in taking a bunch of pictures fast. You can switch slab types and raw and quickly refocus. An inexpensive static tripod is $20, a fancy static one is $50 and the height adjustable one I got was $80.
Desk lamp with adjustable arm. This was critical for getting the light to hit the coins at the right angle to bring out the luster. Cost me $10 at Home Depot.
Westinghouse Halomax 75 watt bulb. I tried to get a GE Reveal based on board member recommendations, but could not find one at 2 stores. The Westinghouse is probably similar and is designed to throw off a brighter, pure white light. While it is a halogen, it does not create the same explosive glow as a halogen floodlight. It looks like a regular white bulb. Cost $3.
Black construction paper or something else suitable for background on the slab.
Here is a pic I took of the setup (obviously, I am using the camera to take this pic so it’s not there)
OK – now to the good stuff. Below are sample pics I took with this set-up.
$20 Saint MS63 High Res
10c MS67FB High Res
G$1 MS62 High Res
64 PR67CAM High Res for Russ' benefit
Close-ups:
As mentioned before, if you want to get really close, you will need a high resolution camera (3MP or higher) to zoom in on the details later.
Pic 1: Washington 25c MS66 with 10X + 7X +3X zoom = 20X close-up.
25c MS66 High Res
Same pic with date cut and zoomed in Photoshop
1956 Date High Res
Same pic with a zoom in Photoshop on the number "6"
6 close up High Res
Pic 2: Lincoln 1c MS66RD with 10X + 7X + 2.2X zoom = 19.2X close-up
1c MS66RD High Res
Same pic with the date cut and zoomed in Photoshop. If I had done this in full zoom, it would be sharper.
1c MS66RD date High Res
Bottom line is if you want to get into repunched mintmark pics or the like, get a high megapixel camera or invest in a microscope.
A final general tip. I noticed that my hand created a shadow in the slab so I took all of my pictures using the camera’s 10 second delay feature. (Like when you try to run and get everyone in the shot). That way my hand was not there and I got reflection free coins.
Since I don’t want to overload a single thread with too many pictures, I’m breaking it into 3 topics. This thread will talk about equipment setup and how they enable close-ups. The second will address lighting and the third using white balance on the camera (it makes a huge difference).
I used the following equipment to take my pics:
A Kodak DC4800 3.1 megapixel digital camera. The more megapixels, the better, because the higher resolution allows 8x10 high quality printouts but more importantly for coins enables you to zoom in with software for close-ups. Cost was $500 for mine.
2 close-up 43MM lenses (+10X and +7X) and an adaptor to make them fit my camera. Cost for lenses and adaptor was $60.
Tabletop tripod. I splurged here and got a really good one. I tried a simple model in the store and found a major drawback in that it could not be adjusted for height. So I bought one that has a rod in the middle that can adjust from 8” to 16”. This was a HUGE help in taking a bunch of pictures fast. You can switch slab types and raw and quickly refocus. An inexpensive static tripod is $20, a fancy static one is $50 and the height adjustable one I got was $80.
Desk lamp with adjustable arm. This was critical for getting the light to hit the coins at the right angle to bring out the luster. Cost me $10 at Home Depot.
Westinghouse Halomax 75 watt bulb. I tried to get a GE Reveal based on board member recommendations, but could not find one at 2 stores. The Westinghouse is probably similar and is designed to throw off a brighter, pure white light. While it is a halogen, it does not create the same explosive glow as a halogen floodlight. It looks like a regular white bulb. Cost $3.
Black construction paper or something else suitable for background on the slab.
Here is a pic I took of the setup (obviously, I am using the camera to take this pic so it’s not there)
OK – now to the good stuff. Below are sample pics I took with this set-up.
$20 Saint MS63 High Res
10c MS67FB High Res
G$1 MS62 High Res
64 PR67CAM High Res for Russ' benefit
Close-ups:
As mentioned before, if you want to get really close, you will need a high resolution camera (3MP or higher) to zoom in on the details later.
Pic 1: Washington 25c MS66 with 10X + 7X +3X zoom = 20X close-up.
25c MS66 High Res
Same pic with date cut and zoomed in Photoshop
1956 Date High Res
Same pic with a zoom in Photoshop on the number "6"
6 close up High Res
Pic 2: Lincoln 1c MS66RD with 10X + 7X + 2.2X zoom = 19.2X close-up
1c MS66RD High Res
Same pic with the date cut and zoomed in Photoshop. If I had done this in full zoom, it would be sharper.
1c MS66RD date High Res
Bottom line is if you want to get into repunched mintmark pics or the like, get a high megapixel camera or invest in a microscope.
A final general tip. I noticed that my hand created a shadow in the slab so I took all of my pictures using the camera’s 10 second delay feature. (Like when you try to run and get everyone in the shot). That way my hand was not there and I got reflection free coins.
Tom
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
0
Comments
Vietnam Vet 1968-1969
Is the coinscope one of those cool combo camera/magnifiers that is designed to shoot coins?
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
Russ, NCNE
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
Russ, NCNE
I hate you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No I don't. Dang it man. I have the same exact setup that you do. Never put it together to take pictures. As my excuse "WAS" I better read up on doing this. And I never did! Well now ya dun a ruint it fer me!.
You have given me the courage, impedous and furthered my desire to start taking coin pics.
Guess I know what I will be doing New Years Day.
I guess this is where I am supposed to say thanks, so THANKS.
Great thread for me.
Bulldog
No good deed will go unpunished.
Free Money Search
"The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD GOD Almighty."
Thank you for taking the time to post these very intersting threads!
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
09/07/2006
That is a cool-looking camera stand. Is it attached to the desk?
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
I have a binocular scope with 10-30X. Is there an advantage to digital pictures through the scope verses the camera on tripod with macro lens?
I look forward to the followup threads.
I just picked up an OTT Lite will let you all know how I make out with it.
09/07/2006
Not sure on the answer to that. My camera does not have a macro feature, so my only option is the close-up lenses. Russ takes great proof pics using macro so it looks like both options work well. Honestly, once you can focus on the coin up close, the key becomes getting the lighting right. See thread #2 for more on that.
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
09/07/2006
WOW. That gold proof is just amazing - rivals what the mint puts out.
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set
Thank you for the thread. I just got a digital camera, so this information is very useful to me. Thanks for the tip about getting a good adjustable tripod. I think that's going to be very important.
Good pics!
Carl
NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Type collector since 1981
Current focus 1855 date type set