need help with photograhing proof coins with great mirrors!

1907Quarter

Hi All-

I've been a business strike kinda guy for quite a while having some nice success with my Canon Coolpix. There are some modern proofs that I'm working on right now and I'm finding it tough going to shoot through the PCGS plastic and not getting milky mirrors. My Coolpix macro setting allows me to focus a good 4-5" above the coin but I'm still getting camera shadow with my incandescent lamps at 10/2 o' clock. I will post attempts later but I'm curious if you have any photo tips here? thanks in advance!

seanq

Do a forum search on "lamp shade", it's a technique you can use to diffuse the light and really bring out the cameo contrast in your photos.


Sean Reynolds

mozeppa

alas....we all need help in that area.

mgoodm3

Camera reflections are tough. White cameras are a real problem. Sometimes just moving the coin around in the field until the camera refelction is over the relief and not the mirrors works. Covering a white camera with a black sock with a hole for the lens works pretty well.

blu62vette

I sometimes tilt my coin a lilttle with a penny or nickel under it, seems the angle helps on the reflections and overall bad DMPL pics I normally take.

grabba

<< <i>Camera reflections are tough. White cameras are a real problem. Sometimes just moving the coin around in the field until the camera refelction is over the relief and not the mirrors works. Covering a white camera with a black sock with a hole for the lens works pretty well. >>



Good advice on the black sock or a piece of black construction paper. Sure makes the fields pitch black and the devices white. Nothing like a black and white contrast on a proof coin.

pf70collector

I use black cardboard over my silver camera. Works fine for me in getting the best cameos.

BECOKA

What everyone else said.

For me a cut up Milk Jug to diffuse the light and a slight tilt to the slab works pretty well.

rgCoinGuy

<< <i>What everyone else said.

For me a cut up Milk Jug to diffuse the light and a slight tilt to the slab works pretty well. >>



This is what I do also, on the second page of this thread, I have a picture of the milk jug and my setup, and some other peoples setups on here may give you some ideas. Photo setup picture thread

sinin1

I have gotten better with my Sony Mavica on proofs


I tried all those other things but have found that instead of fighting the camera reflection,

I use it to my advantage



I can get close enough with the macro so the reflection on the coin of the camera is ONLY the lense

deep mirrors look black