Taking pictures of proofs.

DominusDeus

This is annoying me to no end. I only have one light source (a lamp on my computer desk), and the only other tools available to me (other than my camera), my scanner (coins are too far above the glass surface from being in the plastic container to get a clear scan), and a rolled up sheet of white printer paper. My main problem is seeing the camera in the coin... lol

I have a nice 1981-S SBA that is cameo (would be dcam if it wasnt for something next to the Y in LIBERTY) in a 1981 proof set that I'm trying to get a nice pic of. This one shot was the best I could do.

First shot is raw:



This shot is with instant-fix in Adobe PhotoDelux.



Any help is appreciated.

Russ

<< <i>(would be dcam if it wasnt for something next to the Y in LIBERTY) >>



The occlusion at the rim doesn't keep the coin from DCAM.

Your first image is a matter of adjusting the light balance for whatever type of lighting you're using.

Russ, NCNE

mgoodm3

It's hard to get rid of the camera reflection on proof shots. I put a black sock over my camera covering everything but the lens which decreases the reflections. Also moving the camera farther away from the coin will decrease the reflection. The problem is most small digicams have to be close to the coin to get good pics. If there is white lettering on the lens you can use a black marker to darken it. Sometimes moving the coin around the frame will move the reflections over the relief instead of over the fields.

Are you shooting down a tube of paper? If so, making the tube a little bigger may decrease some of the glare.

greghansen

Have you tried photographing the coin outside in natural lighting? I find that works quite well for some proof coins, especially those with strong cameo effect. You can really capture the black/white effect.

cosmicdebris

THIS TIP works great for proof coins. To get that really black and white contrast hold a black piece of paper above the coin to reflect it.

ConstellatioCollector

I use OTT light and Adobe Photoshop...




Don't be frightened by the image!!!!

nOoBiEeE

Take pictures in natural light, not direct sunlight of course and not head on, at a slight angle.

Cladiator

I use a somewhat nice but not really expensive digital camera, overhead light, horizontal light and an angled light at about 45%. No photoshop or anyother photo modification software.

Coppernicus

Nice pic, cladiator.

Mike

prooflike

I use a chep scanner, the DCAM's come out OK...

DominusDeus

Oy vey, too many tries to get these two shots. Please don't ask for the reverse, lol. I would've replied much sooner, but my cable decided to go out not but a few seconds after I posted this thread...

ksteelheader

I'm not getting involved. Not worth the hassle!!...Ken

DominusDeus

... that's like saying "no comment" when asked a question. "no comment" is a comment.

you got involved as soon as you posted...-

ksteelheader

ibzman350

I've heard OTT lights mentioned a few times.

Is that a brand name ?


Herb

JrGMan2004

Hello, just got my camera, and I actually only have 1 light source... but, here's the system I worked out... usually, I take a pic of the coin with the camera pointing straight down, but of course that doesn't work with a proof. So, I move it a little to the side and rotate the camera to follow, and just look at the LCD to see if it's reflecting anything, the lights, the camera, anything else it might see... if I see something, I adjust it... and these pictures I actually moved over and out a couple inches each way...

Russ

<< <i>I've heard OTT lights mentioned a few times.

Is that a brand name ? >>



Herb,

Yes, OTT is a brand name. It's lighting for rich people. I use GE Reveal at $4.99 for a box of four. They work just fine.





Russ, NCNE

ksteelheader

...I use the sun........It's free....

JrGMan2004

I'm just using regular light bulbs... I just adjusted the white balance on my camera...

Aethelred

The following photo was taken using a 60w reveal bulb in a room with no other light source using a Nikon Coolpix.

Dennis88

Nice Lincoln George.....

Dennis

Chrysta

When I use my scanner to image proofs, sometimes I get a rainbow effect that would be pretty neat if it was actually on the coin...but unfortunately isn't too accurate!

4thStooge

<< <i>I use GE Reveal at $4.99 for a box of four. >>



Must be nice to be able to throw money around! $2.82 for 4 at Walmart.
Russ needs higher taxes.

NoGvmnt

"Must be nice to be able to throw money around! $2.82 for 4 at Walmart."

Ha, it would cost me more in gas to drive over to walmart to buy the bulbs for $2.82 then it would to walk over to Office Depot and purchase them for $4.99.

Jim

ksteelheader

Here is one of Merz2's proof coins. And, please, the marks are on the slab, not the coin...Ken
.
.

JrGMan2004

<< <i>Nice Lincoln George.....

Dennis >>