How to photograph coins?

ahooka454

i have seen many ways but would like to hear what all of you forum guys think?

On every topic I have posted, I have found the most useful information I have ever gotten on anything in my life.i know opinions vary, but if theyre 100 different people, the answer for me will be somewhere in the middle. I have learned alot in a short time here. The shots I see here posted by you all, are some of the nicest I have seen.
If I had no eqipment or knowledge of photographing coins, how would I start?

I would like to shot all coins, all series.


Thanks in advance for all the help. With this and any other issue I have along the way.


Adam

SilverEagles92

1. Buy a camera.

ahooka454

I get that is there a preferred cam for coins? lighting, backround, scope cams? there is alot to this i think. I just dont want to buy stuff twice.

ricko

Use the search function for mgoodm3... great tutorial... Cheers, RickO

Bmarkers

Expensive doesn't mean better
RICOH RDC-4200 $55

JapanJohn

What Bmarkers said. You can get exceptional results with any old run of the mill camera. Some do macro better than others. I like the Canon pocket cams for macro.

The camera will give you what you need but pushing the shutter is like putting a car in drive. You can either get to your destination or drive the car into a tree.

I think without question you need a tripod. No if, ands, or buts. Get a tripod. Even a cheap one. Good lighting is a must. I've seen these little lighting kits with tents for a whole lot of nothing on ebay that provide way more than what you need to shoot a coin.

Shoot in manual rather than auto, and focus manually if the camera lets you.

Tether the camera to a computer if you can. Not all point and shoots can but many of the Canons do. (Not all by a long shot but many do).

Also DSLR cameras are getting dirt cheap. You can just about buy one for the price of a super point and shoot. My current fav of this crop is the Nikon D40. This gives you the flexibility to change lenses and use external flash.

Cheap camera, tripod and some practice are all you really need.

John

GoldenEyeNumismatics

3 things:

a good camera (Canon is good for the under-$500 budget, Nikon is good for greater than $500 budget).
good lights, preferably 2 or more
a good copystand.

ahooka454

thanks all. i have a stereoscope, would a cam for this work? i have mpl and want some cool pics. thanks for all the help here...

adam

seatedcoins

Mark Goodman Coin photography article

His article helped me tremendously.

Thanks Mark