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Photography
Bankerbob56
Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭
I am looking for some advice on the art of coin photography. I have no idea where/how to start. Do you need a huge investment in equipment? What kind? I don't cherish the thought of spending big bucks on photography equipment that might otherwise be spent of nice coins, but it would be nice to photograph some of my nicer acquisitions.... Thanks!
What we've got here is failure to communicate.....
Successful BST xactions w/PCcoins, Drunner, Manofcoins, Rampage, docg, Poppee, RobKool, and MichealDixon.
Successful BST xactions w/PCcoins, Drunner, Manofcoins, Rampage, docg, Poppee, RobKool, and MichealDixon.
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lots of information about photography here.
There are books, there are posts, there are occasionally people selling cameras, lenses and copy stands.
I've taken competant photos with my wife's $200 Nikon point and shoot and a $15 copy stand after 3 hours reading through Mark's book. It's all about understanding your camera's capabilities.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>I did a presentation at FUN, entitled "Respectable Coin Photography: Taking Decent Coin Photos without Blowing the Coin Budget on Photo Gear" that addressed this. You do not need to spend big bucks. If you have no photographic equipment, you should be able to get by for about $160 (Canon A495, WalMart tripod, two desk lamps). If you have a digital camera, post what you have and I'll investigate the specs to see if I think it will give good results. As was mentioned, "search" is your friend. Also, post pictures you take as you get started, and you'll get plenty of advice. >>
How about a Nikon D3000 w/ the stock 18-55 mm VR lens? Sorry to hijack
<< <i>How about a Nikon D3000 w/ the stock 18-55 mm VR lens? Sorry to hijack
It's ok if you have moderate Photoshop skills to crop. For coin photography, really any DSLR body will do. The secret to close, sharp photos is the LENS. Get a decent 150mm or 180mm (even 105 is okay, but not quite as good) Macro lens. (Make sure it says "Macro" - this is important).
Once you have a decent Macro lens and DSLR camera body, you can experiment with lighting. A copy stand or tripod that can point nearly straight down is pretty important as well, an doesn't have to be expensive.
You can get a good modern DSLR camera body for $300-$500, the lens for about the same, and copy stand or tripod for $50 or so.
What you buy really depends on what you want to get out of it. If all you want and need are pictures for a website or eBay that aren't embarrassing, then almost anything will work, even a $90 Canon A495 or $100 Nikon Coolpix S3000 (but not a Kodak EasyShare M550).
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Russ, NCNE
Rampant currency debasement will be the most important investment trend of this decade, and it will devastate most people.
- Nick Giambruno Buy dollar insurance now, because the policy will cost more as the dollar becomes worth less.
<< <i>do you have a camera? >>
Yep.... but not one I'd consider to be useful for coin photos...
Successful BST xactions w/PCcoins, Drunner, Manofcoins, Rampage, docg, Poppee, RobKool, and MichealDixon.
Maybe he will see this thread and let us in on his secrets. No offense to other pros but I am familiar with his work!
Successful BST xactions w/PCcoins, Drunner, Manofcoins, Rampage, docg, Poppee, RobKool, and MichealDixon.
or
point and shoot with macro capabilities
either way you need
a copy stand
know how to set white balance for your lights
2 lights
<< <i>point and shoot with macro capabilities >>
Superficial information on macro capabilities of P&S cameras, such as what you'd see on the shelf tag at a store, is very misleading for coin photos. In some cases, you can get better pictures with macro mode turned off.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I shot this tonight with out any fancy lighting - no juicing. $400 for the canon 40d (came with a useless 35-70mm lens) sniped a 100mm canon macro lens for another $425 - I think new equipment will run over 2k for the above.
<< <i>
<< <i>How about a Nikon D3000 w/ the stock 18-55 mm VR lens? Sorry to hijack
It's ok if you have moderate Photoshop skills to crop. For coin photography, really any DSLR body will do. The secret to close, sharp photos is the LENS. Get a decent 150mm or 180mm (even 105 is okay, but not quite as good) Macro lens. (Make sure it says "Macro" - this is important).
Once you have a decent Macro lens and DSLR camera body, you can experiment with lighting. A copy stand or tripod that can point nearly straight down is pretty important as well, an doesn't have to be expensive.
You can get a good modern DSLR camera body for $300-$500, the lens for about the same, and copy stand or tripod for $50 or so. >>
This post just scares me!
Geeez dsessom!
Please don't chase away any budding imagers with your $1000 crud!
ModCrewman's images look excellent to my eyes (and it looks like he didn't spend a small fortune on his rig), i'd follow his advice along with a nice dose of what ever Mark Goodman has to say.
<< <i>What the heck does Kryptonite use??? He puts up nice pics on ebay.........
Maybe he will see this thread and let us in on his secrets. No offense to other pros but I am familiar with his work!
Sir Kryptonite has a pretty expensive setup. But, I agree, his photos are excellent!
-Paul
<< <i>Buy Mark Goodman's book - "Numismatic Photography"...read it...succeed.
I just bought this from Amazon on your avdvice and the reviews. Hope it helps me shoot with my Cannon G10. I'm hit and miss so far.