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OTT-LITE, the ONLY way to go...
dizzyfoxx
Posts: 9,823 ✭✭✭
Wow, you guys were right. OTT Lite is by far the best light source for viewing toned coins. It truly is synonymous with natural daylight and really captivates all toning and texture highlights of a coin. Thanks for the tip to those who suggested it.
...There's always time for coin collecting. 
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I brought OTT's to the Indian Head Cent challenge at Long Beach 2001.
And I've been posting here about them ever since.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Or you can save $60 and buy GE Reveals for $4.99 - a 4 pack. >>
Sorry Russ I have both set up on my copy stand and the Otts are a truer lite without even using the white balance on the camera. For the novice the revels give you the PCGS or NGC slab that looks pink if you do not adjust your white balance for the revel bulbs.
there just 9 or 12 watt PC daylight bulbs
Russ - yuck!
Been there, done that. They work on toned coins because no one knows what they really look like.
Try reveals on blast RD coppers.
<< <i>Or you can save $60 and buy GE Reveals for $4.99 - a 4 pack.
Russ, NCNE >>
Ditto
It doesn't take long, after you've spent good money on a camera to image coins,
and you've finally figured out how to use it, you realize....lighting is 50% of the image.
I've tried every lighting gimic. Tubular lighting systems which burned some of my coins,
Cloud Domes (lol) I won't bother explaining this salad bowl contraption, and then
there's the Cool-Light SL-1 attachment. When attached to your Nikon it looks like
a UFO is about to land on your coin.
And as for reveal bulbs. They have a redish hue that turns me off.
Natural light is hard to replicate outside of taking your coin into the backyard on a
moderately sunny day. OTT lites replicate that moderate sunshine in your home.
<< <i>Try reveals on blast RD coppers. >>
Russ, NCNE
Russ, NCNE
Even when I adjust the WB on my camera, I still get a color that looks un-natural using regular incandescent bulbs.
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
<< <i>From Russ' photo's above...Do you really think its worth paying an extra $65 for an Ott? >>
Yes but Russ is also using a ten year old camera.
It does not always have to be I have the best, newest most expensive. You just need to be able to utilize your resources no matter what they are.
Rob
<< <i>Russ, man, if I had that much success with Reveal bulbs I'd use them all day long too!!! I'd love to see your lighting set-up assuming it is not a trade secret
Even when I adjust the WB on my camera, I still get a color that looks un-natural using regular incandescent bulbs.
I'd like to see your set up too.
<< <i>I'd love to see your lighting set-up assuming it is not a trade secret >>
The secret is the $5.99 Office Depot desk lamps.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>Is that where you have them positioned relative to the camera while shooting? >>
That's slab shot positioning. Normally, the one on the left would be up higher. When I shoot slab shots I lower it and aim it at the label.
Edited to add: The exact positioning of the lights varies from coin to coin. I move them around until it looks correct in the viewer. That's why I have them mounted in those clamp on lamps.
Russ, NCNE
Two Ott lites on a coffee table with the coin laid on a piece of white paper. Manually position the lights until you get the desired angle/lighting that best reflects the in-hand look of the coin. Throw in a $5.99 tripod with a Canon Powershot a610 point and shoot and there you have it. A very simplistic set-up.
I love imaging coins almost as much as I like collecting them. Next Stop...DSLR with 100mm Macro Lens and Copystand as I think that I maxed-out the capabilities of my current set-up.
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
<< <i>
Russ, NCNE >>
My babies ...
Yes, and it's more like an extra $30.
I'm always amazed at how people spend decent money for cameras and then go compucheap on the lights.
Oh well. I like some natural color and luster in my copper images.
<< <i>I like them all but we need a few hundred more images to decide what is best.
Let's have a contest!
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
<< <i>
I think this mgoodm3 guy shoots excellent images.
I just got my copy stand and have a Canon Sure shot IS ...just need the lights. I'd pay a little more for results, so long as the bulbs last longer than my camera's batteries.
In that regard, does anyone know of AC adapters for the Canon...I'd love to ditch the batteries when I am only 5 feet from the outlet.
I find that the Otts give a truer representation of in-hand color than any other bulb I've tried.
Also, Ott Lites are $35, not $65, if you buy on eBay.
I just got done imaging this piece tonight using 2 Otts.
1/2 Cents
U.S. Revenue Stamps
More pics need to be posted to resolve the "Great Light War of 2007"
Keep em coming. This is great.
Fighting the Fight for 11 Years with the big "C" - Never Ever Give Up!
Member PCGS Open Forum board 2002 - 2006 (closed end of 2006) Current board since 2006 Successful trades with many members, over the past two decades, never a bad deal.
<< <i>There are some super shots of IHC's and Lincolns. What about silver? Say, Wayte Raymond album toned? Reveal or Otts?
I just got my copy stand and have a Canon Sure shot IS ...just need the lights. I'd pay a little more for results, so long as the bulbs last longer than my camera's batteries.
In that regard, does anyone know of AC adapters for the Canon...I'd love to ditch the batteries when I am only 5 feet from the outlet. >>
There is one in this list of accessories at canon usa: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=SNAModelSuppliesTabAct&fcategoryid=813&modelid=9824
You might be able to do much better in price on the bay though. Some of the big camera stores carry most canon accessories.
<< <i>What about silver? Say, Wayte Raymond album toned? Reveal or Otts? >>
This one was taken with 3 OTT lamps. I believe captured the toning rather nicely.
Russ, what are the paper cones in the photo for? I get everything else, but what do you use those for?
<< <i>You guys are lucky - can't find an real OTT lamp here (Canada) for less than $110. The ones I'm using are "simulated daylight" ones from COSTCO. >>
Try this link. joann
Ken