Opinions New Camera Picks

nepbrs44

I could use a little input on these pictures from all the experts on the forum (Lord knows there is a ton of you out there!)

I think my main problem is with the lighting and coin photography is still pretty new to me.

I appreciate all help and input.








1. 1900 O/CC
2. 1900 O/CC R
3. 2003 PF70 ULTRA CAMEO

Cladiator

Nice pics. I got a question for ya....how come you can put such large pics on the forum? When I post pics it only lets me use a maximum size of 50kb.

CoinGuy42

I am no expert....but from the pics I see here, and there are many nice pics posted.....I think your are outstanding.

nepbrs44

You need to host your own picks....If you have some type of Cable or DSL they should allow you web space to use for such as.........Coin picks your own web site etc.

Wolfy00002

I think you could use a little better light, but other than that, the pics look good.

What kind of camera do you have?

airplanenut

Excellent shots. My suggestion, at least for the first two, is to angle the light, as it will show the cartwheel lustre of the coin-- two lights may really bring out that effect.

Jeremy

nepbrs44

<< <i>I think you could use a little better light, but other than that, the pics look good.

What kind of camera do you have? >>



Thanks! I just got a Nikon CoolPix 4300 but I don't undestand how to work with light.

HARD!

Wolfy00002

<< <i>Nice pics. I got a question for ya....how come you can put such large pics on the forum? When I post pics it only lets me use a maximum size of 50kb. >>



Check your dpi, or quality, sometimes that makes a big difference.

This is only 35kb

nepbrs44

<< <i>

<< <i>Nice pics. I got a question for ya....how come you can put such large pics on the forum? When I post pics it only lets me use a maximum size of 50kb. >>



Check your dpi, or quality, sometimes that makes a big difference.

This is only 35kb

>>



I know how to work on the size I wanted to post the larger picks so that you could see the struggle I have with the lighting

Fr8Tr8n

nepbrs44 - Nice quality photos...as you mention, you just need a little light in there.
What type of cameral are you using for these shots? The macro is really nice and clear which ever variety of camera it happens to be.
My only advise is that if you are going to use a high-intensity (thus, high temperature producing) bulb do not get the camera too close to it...that heat is a killer on plastic housing!!

Clad - the file and the image display size are different.
I have seen some very small images with a huge kb size - physical display size is not the same.
I have a couple of images here that are in the 8x10 region - if I were to print them - but, the actual file size (the kbs) is only around a 35-40kb footprint.
Image compression is the issue.

Scott

nepbrs44

Fr8Tr8n

I have a Nikon CoolPix 4300 but I don't know the best way to have light on it that is where my problem lies.

ConstellatioCollector

N, Some nice pics. I like the lighting that you are already using.

CarlWohlforth

You are looking at both the coins and the photos. The photos look pretty good to me. What do you see as the main problem? Is it the color or what?

You already have good, fairly even lighting. I really appreciated a tip I got on these forums of using a mirror. I had two lights but wanted more even lighting. Someone suggested using a mirror. So I bought a cheap make up mirror from Rite Aid and it worked well and was much cheaper than another expensive Ott light. What are you currently using for lighting?

airplanenut

Well, what type of lighting are you using? Type of bulb, how many, and in what fixture?

Jeremy

nepbrs44

One light and its a 40w Tensor light..........what is the trick with the mirror??

Fr8Tr8n

I have never had great luck with mirrors or polished stainless...

nepbrs44

<< <i>I have never had great luck with mirrors or polished stainless... >>



What would you use and how????

airplanenut

I simply use two desk lamps with white flood bulbs--just move them until the shot looks good--sometimes I only use one, rarely I add a third.

nepbrs44

Thanks

davewang202

Hopefully you have some basic image processing software.

Put these images into such a software and do an "instant fix" on it.

You took the SAE under florescent light, right? The software should autocorrect the tint for you. If not, you can play with the tint a bit to get it back to silver...

nepbrs44

All great input!!

stujoe

I have a 4300 too and you can help the tint problem by adjusting the white balance. The 4300 will let you shoot a white sheet of paper (in manual mode) under your lighting condition and it will adjust automatically. It works pretty well.

nepbrs44

<< <i>I have a 4300 too and you can help the tint problem by adjusting the white balance. The 4300 will let you shoot a white sheet of paper (in manual mode) under your lighting condition and it will adjust automatically. It works pretty well. >>



Thanks!

FullHorn

Photo Shop will help (hope you dont mind your pic )

nepbrs44

Not at all looks great.........size the pick is not my problem it's just working the light

Wolf359

Your pictures look great, just need to be a touch brighter. Trying to get a "true color" picture is always difficult.

SDCollector

The trick I found is manually setting the white balance and using indirect light. I manually set the white balance on my Oly C-4000 by pointing it at white paper and then locking in the setting. I use 2 desk lamps with 60-watt Reveal bulbs. You can tell your white balance is off on the SAE since it has a red cast to the image. White balance basically looks for a balance between red and blue. The photoshoped pic has much more blue which tends to improve silver coins.

Isn't coin photography fun! I have a great time with it. I need to work on the sharpness in my pics. Here's my latest pic of an SAE:

Sequitur

How would you improve sharpness? Or perhaps I should ask, what do you mean by "sharpness"? Is this related to detail?

SDCollector

<< <i>How would you improve sharpness? Or perhaps I should ask, what do you mean by "sharpness"? Is this related to detail? >>


Two ways: at the time you capture the image or during post processing. I think my problem is that I'm a little too close to the coin and the lens is having difficulty getting a sharp focus. I'm using the super macro mode on my camera and it may be too magnified. I'm going to experiment with just the macro mode and move my camera a little farther from the coin.

The second method is to use the sharpen feature either in the camera or in your graphics software. Some folks swear by using only the software and others like to use the in-camera sharpening. I prefer the software approach. Either way, the image will be sharpened by an algorithm that adjusts the pixel edges to make them look sharper. You have to be careful because too much sharpening will make your pictures look awful (too much noise or jagged edges).

Hope that helps.