Light Options Comparison (more pictures added)...... GE Reveal vs. Sylvania Daylight

Oney

I wanted to test out the differences in light sources for taking accurate photos of my coins. The first picture is the Sylvania Daylight Halogen bulbs recommend by K6AZ. The second set is the GE Reveals I originally used. The settings on the camera remained the same. Here are the results. What are you thoughts on the better light sources. K6AZ believed the the GE Reveal showed more irregularities on the coin surface. The pictures show just the oppposite.

robertpr

The fields look much better with the Sylvania bulbs, but the devices look much better with the GE bulbs.

Maybe you can use Photoshop to cut out the devices from the second pic and paste them onto the fields in the first one

pharmer

I looked at the images before knowing which was which bulb, and thought the left one was clearer and sharper and definitely showed more marks. The coin is a 63 on the left and a 64 on the right, by the smoother cheek and fewer hits on the right.

Russ

Both images are excellent, but the real issue is which one more accurately reflects the actual appearance of the coin. The goal isn't to produce the prettiest pic, but rather the most honest one.

Russ, NCNE

stev32k

<< Both images are excellent, but the real issue is which one more accurately reflects the actual appearance of the coin. The goal isn't to produce the prettiest pic, but rather the most honest one.>>

That is exactly right. It's very easy to get a good picture of a coin, but very hard to get an accurate image. The goal in coin photography is to produce a picture that looks like the coin in hand. That includes the details of scratches, rubs, dents, etc. Just as important and even more difficult to capture is the color, luster, and shine. Luster can make the difference between an XF40 and XF45, AU, and BU. Color can tell you if the coin has been cleaned, and the way a coin shines can also tell you if it has been cleaned (cartwheel vs. dipped or buffed). Those things depend somewhat on the light you use, but mostly on the skill of the photographer and the quality of the lens and camera. There is no single light source that is best for all coins. Every coin is different and requires a different combination of light temperature, color, reflectors, angle, and diffusion.

K6AZ

Just a slight correction Brian, my complaint with the Reveal bulbs is that they impart a reddish tint on the coin.

Oney

Sorry K6AZ, did not mean to misquote you. I also had someone comment that the Reveal bulbs show more marks than others. Russ and Steve32k, yes the goal is to depict the coins as exactly as possible. Digital cameras with strong macro lens can over exaggerate marks that are not as noticable even under magnification. Perhaps a run down of the grades would help.

1. 1884-CC PCGS MS63DMPL
2. 1878-CC ANACS MS64
3. 1879-S RAW MS65/66
4. 1880-CC RAW MS64
5. 1881-CC PCGS MS65
6. 1882-S PCGS MS66

The raw coins grades are my opinion based on a comparison with my certified coins. I am trying to capture the true image of the coin by experimenting with light. The two lights show the coins differently, I believe the true image is somewhere between the two images provided. The 1882-S is an OGH and the coin is very clean and would consider submitting for an upgrade to MS67. It is outstanding. perhaps I need to decrease the exposure a little to capture a little less light. Overall I like the results.

nwcs

I've had mixed results when I tried with halogen, incandescent (normal), and reveal bulbs. Some coins seem to turn out better on one light source than another. Probably due to the way the light hits. And I found some coins are just so darn photogenic that it's hard to take a bad picture of them. And other are like some old coin dealers and nothing improves them. About the only thing that has really helped me is to have two light sources that aren't aimed at the coin and adjusting the exposure balance to try to correct for the glare. Sometimes you get good results and sometimes... but at least here is one photogenic coin taken with that technique (using reveal bulbs) Of course the pic has lost a bit due to jpeg compression.

K6AZ

Brian, which lens are you using with the D70?

tmot99

I feel that halogens make marks look worse than they really are but the overall appearance is the best. In your first pictures, the fields look much more reflective. For example, this picture is with a halogen. The marks on the reverse really aren't as bad as the picture shows. I will be getting reveal bulbs and trying it and showing the difference.

K6AZ

That's a great looking half dime. What did you shoot it with?

tmot99

Thanks. It's with a D70 with 2 halogens. I need to get a copy stand and reveal lights and see iff there is a difference.

meos1

You are right you need less exposure on these. They are over washed white. Its not a good test when he image is white from overexposure. What are tha camera settings?

NWCS,

You should try the RAW format. Shooting RAW provide great control over the image in processing. Nice shot!

Dan

K6AZ

Cool, have you tried the Sylvanias? They are quite different from regular halogens.

I also own a D70, and one word of advice, especially if you are going to use one of the 100mm+ macro lenses, is to be sure you get a very solid copy stand. I've come to the conclusion that the Testrite stands will not support this camera with a lens of over 50mm. The two section pole that the camera arm mounts on is very unstable on the upper section.

tmot99

Thanks for the advice. I had heard that before, which is one reason I haven't bought a stand yet. Too much money. I am using a 105mm macro.

K6AZ

OK, I would assume the Sigma 105mm, which is a great lens. You are going to have to go with a very sturdy copy stand, perhaps Mark (mgoodm3) can suggest a good one. For the time being, I am going to switch to the Sigma 28-135mm lens until I've done enough business to justify an expensive copy stand.

nwcs

<< <i>NWCS,

You should try the RAW format. Shooting RAW provide great control over the image in processing. Nice shot!

Dan >>

Normally I do, but was making it quick this time. I found the best pics come from manually setting the white balance and exposure level and lots and lots of test shots.

Oney

I was using my Quantaray 50mm F2.8 Macro. White balance set at incandescent. Exposure set at 1.0+. I have used two lights off to the side at and angel and one lamp(2 bulbs) over head. I have tried combinations of each.........

nwcs

You might try an exposure level of -0.3 or -0.5

stev32k

If you take a lot of coin pictures it will pay to use a soft box. I have several that are used for different purposes. One lined with aluminum foil, one with wax paper, and one with cloth that can be changed to different colors. The instructions in the link were written by one of the guys on the Nikonians forum. There are a lot of professional photographers posting there and one can learn a lot just lurking around. The macro forum is especially useful.