I like this OTT light

drjules

A little while back I posted an 1885 morgan, same coin just reimaged with one OTT light




Dr J

ddbird

Have the other picture for comparison? Nice photo, can ya make it any larger



I love OTT lights...I use the light bulbs. You have to be careful not to flood the specimen with light though.




NIce picture too

Bruceswar

OTT Lights can work wonders on coins.... Here is a few shots with some OTT lights...

kevinstang

Alright I am dumb, what is an OTT light?

mgoodm3

An Ott light is just a daylight fluorescent lamp with a decent spectrum of light.

I have found a few uses for Ott lamps where diffuse light is necessary, but will generally use my halogens for most work.

LeeG

<< <i>Alright I am dumb, what is an OTT light? >>


Never a dumb question around here:

OTT-LITE

I prefer the OTT-LITE also:

Swampboy

Watt Wattage works best for coins?

kevinstang

Pictures look good, checked out the Ott site mentioned, kind a pricey- $199.95 for a clamp on table lamp, have to wait on one from Santa I guess.

MikeInFL

<< <i>An Ott light is just a daylight fluorescent lamp with a decent spectrum of light.

I have found a few uses for Ott lamps where diffuse light is necessary, but will generally use my halogens for most work. >>



As usual, Mark is dead on...

Ott lights are overrated for photography -- they are just an (expensive) type of fluroescent bulb and good white balance will overcome any advantage that the Ott bulb provides.

Ott lights are very good, however, for getting a true feel for the color of a coin when viewed in-hand by your own eyes because of their wide spectrum...Mike

mgoodm3

I think why Ott lights are popular around here is because of the diffuse light. When shooting with a small camera ferom close quarters, the diffuse light can help improve the lighting of a coin when higher angle direct lighting is not available.

airplanenut

I bought an Ott Lite for photography. It's now my desk lamp

dorancoins

a 30 watt compact florescent daylight bulb works just as well

notwilight

<< <i>

<< <i>An Ott light is just a daylight fluorescent lamp with a decent spectrum of light. I have found a few uses for Ott lamps where diffuse light is necessary, but will generally use my halogens for most work. >>

As usual, Mark is dead on... Ott lights are overrated for photography -- they are just an (expensive) type of fluroescent bulb and good white balance will overcome any advantage that the Ott bulb provides. Ott lights are very good, however, for getting a true feel for the color of a coin when viewed in-hand by your own eyes because of their wide spectrum...Mike >>



Pulling up an old thread looking for info on Ott lights. I find this discussion where the photopros here on the board say ott lights aren't all they're advertized to be. So for halogens do you you just go to Office depot and buy a cheap boom style desk lamp with a nice hallogen bulb?

I know that probably more important is learning to use the custom white balance which will happen next week. Thanks,

--Jerry

mgoodm3

With a good custom WB, I can get a good picture with virtually any light (there are exceptions). The main differences between lights (beyond WB) is:

1. brightness - more light = faster shutter and generally sharper pictures.
2. form - A halogen lamp is more of a point source, a Ott light is more of a linear source. Point source = higher contrast, linear source = lower contrast. Line up 2 or three halogen lamps and you'll get contrast closer to an Ott lamp.

Click on my link and go to the lighting shootout. It has a lot of info about the various bulbs out there.

IrishMike

I use halogen, flourescent and have 3 Ott lights. For me the best and easiest images come from the Ott lights. Maybe because I am technically challenged but I saw the results shylock gets with his copper shots and that convinced me to purchase them.

Oh yes my wife uses them for her craft work and I use them for reading.

pharmer

<< <i>Watt Wattage works best for coins? >>



I think the most common is 13w, that's what mine are.