Practicing with my camera on some newps

panexpoguy

I think I am going in the right direction.





Things should get better since I just purchased Adobe to work on images. Maybe I will see some of you in Vegas at the show?

robertpr

First thing you need to do is fix your white balance. If your camera offers a custom white balance option, use that. See the manual for directions for setting it, it's fairly easy. If not, Adobe software allows you to correct it in post processing, there are many tutorials on Youtube. The slab should be white, not pink. If you get the slab color correct, it will correct the coin color.

Secondly, your focus is off except for the first image. If you have manual focus that will work the best, auto focus sometimes focuses on the slab which is not what you want, you want to focus on what's inside the slab but the camera will often hit the outside of the slab especially if it's scratched or has a little bit of glare on it. If there's no manual focus you can of course correct that with Adobe software as well, but the closer you are in the non-corrected shot, the better the correction will come out.

panexpoguy

I am out of luck on the focus until next week. I broke my glasses and won't have replacements until then. I can't see well enough on the manual focus to do any better. White balance is my next task. After Vegas I think. I am getting both of these Truviewed there along with a few others. Baby steps.... :-) I had not thought of Youtube for white balance vids, I will def look into them. Thanks!

segoja

color is off

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lkeigwin

It's nice to have the WB set in the camera. But even if it's wrong, your editor can correct it.

This is a stab. Probably could be closer.
Lance.

panexpoguy

OK, so I played around with the white balance on the camera. I take it this is an improvement?

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panexpoguy

OK, I have 4 janso's on it, but I bought a fifth a while back so I will set it up and get more light on it. Thanks!

Davideo

<< <i>OK, I have 4 janso's on it, but I bought a fifth a while back so I will set it up and get more light on it. Thanks! >>



Probably plenty of light then and just underexposed.

And if your camera shoots RAW, adjusting white balance after the fact it dead simple.

ricko

The never ending quest for the perfect coin pictures..... I recall when the first pictures were posted here...everyone thought they were awesome. Then began the competition.... I have never tried coin photography or posting pictures, however I am highly appreciative of those who do...Cheers, RickO

lostincoins

What camera are you using? 2 of those lights should be enough and as stated it is an exposure issue now.

panexpoguy

Nikon D5300. I will look at how to adjust exposure this afternoon.

lcoopie

Need to change your exposure compensation

To make lighter go positive

I believe you push the +/- button and hold then use the dial in the direction you want to go

If you use a high f stop you might get away with autofocus until your glasses are fixed

There may be a diopter correction on the viewfinder

lostincoins

<< <i>Need to change your exposure compensation

To make lighter go positive

I believe you push the +/- button and hold then use the dial in the direction you want to go

If you use a high f stop you might get away with autofocus until your glasses are fixed

There may be a diopter correction on the viewfinder >>



On the 5300 there should be a diopter adjuster and setting the camera to f8 would be a good idea. What is the lens being used?

lostincoins

Do you have the camera teathered to a computer? If you do you can make changes and see them on the screen and import directly into lightroom or photoshop. Nikon also comes with some good editing software that lets you edit on the fly. How are you shooting these coins, hand held, copy stand?

panexpoguy

Nikkor 18-55mm lense, non teathered, smallish and marginal copy stand.

panexpoguy

Exposure and white balance adjusted.

I ordered a tether cable this afternoon and will have it in a couple of days. Looks like my focus is still a bit off on this one.

blu62vette

The 18-55 lens is going to limit you. Even more so on the small coins like the one posted. Look into a fixed length macro.

Davideo

<< <i>I ordered a tether cable this afternoon and will have it in a couple of days. Looks like my focus is still a bit off on this one. >>



At least if purchased new, your camera came with the appropriate USB cable for tethering.

panexpoguy

OK....found the tethering cable. Installed Lightroom......adjusted white balance....adjusted exposure......took photo tethered straight into LR, straightened it and made some adjustments...exported to Photoshop....cropped and centered.....

I will look over some of the other photo threads to check my settings. Thanks for all the help! Still struggling with the focus.

Davideo

Live view tethering can assist with focus as you can zoom in. Not sure if you are doing that already.

lostincoins

Big improvement from first images. The main thing limiting you now is the lens but your images are better than most auction house photos so dam good job.

mercurydimeguy

If you can manually adjust, also add some "depth" of field...I use f8.0. Good balance of sharp/and luster. Here's one I just imaged...

F8, 1/25 second shutter speed, manual white balance...

jdillane

That 1869 50c sure looks purty for an MS61...