Need A Little Help - MACRO/Lighting Tweeking

TheRock · October 16, 2014 2:51AM

OK, just started playing with the new SIGMA 150mm lens that you guys recommended. I must say, it works pretty damn well !!!!

OK, here are (2) images of the same coin with both a PCGS TrueView Image and the one I just got done playing with after I figured out "NOT" to use the "FLASH" at all.

1971-S IKE MS67 CAC

PCGS TrueView Image

My Image

Do I need to adjust "White Balance" or what else can you guys recommend. I would like to make it "Sharper" if that is what you guys think.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

EDITED: Here is a new image with 1-Click of Sharpening using Photoshop.

Thanks,

JD

lkrarecoins · October 16, 2014 3:18AM

Try getting the lighting angle a little higher by getting them closer to the lens....I would diffuse slightly to minimize glare....make sure you are using Aperture Priority mode, and experiment in the F8-F10 range. Your shutter speed needs to be at least 100 or more to minimize blur. I'm sure the coin photography experts will chime in...Good luck!

What sort of lighting are you using? and how many bulbs?

TheRock · October 16, 2014 3:26AM

Thanks.

I went and bought (3) of the Jansco LED lights that were recommended.

I know that the current setting is F7, ISO 100.

I will try going up the F8-F10 range to see what happens.

The LED's are NOT currently DEFUSED at all because I was just trying to see what the outcome would be.

Thanks

mgoodm3 · October 16, 2014 7:36AM

your image is slightly fuzzy (before sharpening) and isn't quite in the best focus. Focus is critical. If you soften the lights a little with diffuson, the lighting will be a little more like the TrueView images.n Make sure that the lights are at as high of an angle as you can get.

lkrarecoins · October 16, 2014 8:13AM

If you don't have tethering software, consider purchasing a program like "Control My Nikon" or something compatible with your brand of camera.
In order to ensure focus is crisp, I zoom the image on my screen and manually adust focus from there.
If you aren't using tethering software, I strongly suggest it. You can make all necessary adjustments: Fstop, Shutter speed, Iso, white balance etc at the click of your mouse, while viewing on your PC monitor.

Davideo · October 16, 2014 8:32AM

<< <i>If you don't have tethering software, consider purchasing a program like "Control My Nikon" or something compatible with your brand of camera.
In order to ensure focus is crisp, I zoom the image on my screen and manually adust focus from there.
If you aren't using tethering software, I strongly suggest it. You can make all necessary adjustments: Fstop, Shutter speed, Iso, white balance etc at the click of your mouse, while viewing on your PC monitor. >>

I definitely second the recommendation tethering. Here is a good overview of various software available (including some free): http://www.tethertools.com/plugging-in/software/

blu62vette · October 16, 2014 8:32AM

BAck of the sharpening, once you shoot enough you will never need it as you learn to focus better. Are you manually focusing?

Unknown · October 16, 2014 8:58AM

This content has been removed.

TheRock · October 16, 2014 11:46AM

If you don't have tethering software, consider purchasing a program like "Control My Nikon" or something compatible with your brand of camera. In order to ensure focus is crisp, I zoom the image on my screen and manually adjust focus from there. If you aren't using tethering software, I strongly suggest it. You can make all necessary adjustments: Fstop, Shutter speed, Iso, white balance etc at the click of your mouse, while viewing on your PC monitor.

I do have Tethering Software (Abobe Lightroom) and that is what I'm allowing to take the shot for me.

Are you manually focusing?

No. I'm allowing the Camera to Auto-Focus the coin before it shoots

Things are getting better as I have put the camera into F8 and Aperture Priority Mode. I'm just struggling with the lights at the moment. I have tried them HIGH/DEFUSED above the camera and that makes things really get bad. I have tried them just BELOW the Lens & DEFUSED and it's not much better. What seems to be working is kind of weird. See photo blow of the setup as the lights are not DEFUSED. I would show a progress picture but I had to recharge the battery as I have been playing with this all day - LOL

AMRC · October 16, 2014 12:21PM

Yup, looks more out of focus than anything else at this point. If that is the best focus you can achieve, then you need another lens.

robec · October 16, 2014 12:28PM

You should always manual focus. Does Adobe Lightroom magnify the coin on the monitor so you can fine tune focus?

Another thing to think about would be to buy an AC adaptor for the camera. They are not expensive and you won't need to charge your battery.

TheRock · October 16, 2014 12:43PM

You should always manual focus. Does Adobe LightRoom magnify the coin on the monitor so you can fine tune focus?

Got to break out the manual to find out how to set the focus to MANUAL and not AUTO. I think this is a function on the lens and not the camera if I remember correctly.

Not sure, still getting use to the software. I know that you cannot view the coin LIVE via the software in a streaming format. I believe you have to take the shot by clicking on the software and then the picture shows up automatically in the software to do whatever you want with it.

I have not tried any of the software functions of editing, etc via LightRoom. I'm not familiar enough with it yet, but I'm very familiar with PhotoShop.

robec · October 16, 2014 1:03PM

If you can't see the coin live on your monitor and can't view magnified sections of the coin on your monitor for fine tuning focus, you aren't using the correct software for tethering.

I know Adobe Lightroom is a good software program, but perhaps it isn't best for at least the focusing aspect of coin photography.

The software that came with my Canon allows for Live streaming to the monitor. If you double click anywhere on the coin shown on the monitor, that section will be magnified and you can fine tune the focus.

blu62vette · October 16, 2014 1:04PM

Just turn the lever on the front of the D90 to M and off of AF.

messydesk · October 16, 2014 1:06PM

<< <i>your image is slightly fuzzy (before sharpening) and isn't quite in the best focus. Focus is critical. If you soften the lights a little with diffuson, the lighting will be a little more like the TrueView images.n Make sure that the lights are at as high of an angle as you can get. >>

This. The Jansjo lights are very hard and need diffusion.

TheRock · October 16, 2014 1:50PM

If you can't see the coin live on your monitor and can't view magnified sections of the coin on your monitor for fine tuning focus, you aren't using the correct software for tethering.

Yes, I can click on the image and magnify it to any ratio I want. I can then click on what I think is "Fine Tuning Focus" but is called "Clarity" in Lightroom and it does an adjustment like fine tuning.

Let me play around with this a while and see what I can come up with after trying some of the things you guys have recommended.

I'm sure I have no problems with the camera, lens or software. It's just me not knowing what I'm doing yet, but I will get there sooner or later. Not real keen on the manual focus thing, but I will try and see what happens.

Thanks everyone. I'll update as things progress.

segoja · October 16, 2014 2:07PM

John,

Try a slight angle on the lights. Sometimes straight down bounces the light too directly vs a 60-70 degree angle.

lostincoins · October 16, 2014 2:35PM

HeyJohn John here you now have the same lens I do along with mercurydimeguy. Focusing is a bit touchy and the lens works very well at F8. What camera are you using again? Do not try to compare your images to truviews unless you are going to shoot exactly the same way. They are great images but most times you loose the luster of the coin but pick up some fantastic colors. Just like using an axial lighting system.

TheRock · October 16, 2014 2:43PM

I'm using a Nikon D5200

lostincoins · October 16, 2014 2:53PM

Hey John you can teather your camera to a desktop or laptop using the mini usb on the camera. If you use light room and plug in yoou will see exactly what the camera sees. You can also use Nikons software just down load the newe version and you can controll everything including focus without touching the camera. The D5200 does have liveview so use it and you will be much happier. When you focus on a coin in a slab using auto you need to fine tue it as most times it focuses on the slab. You can dothis by using the fine focus options in the liveview on screen. Difuse the lights with a papertowel and you will get better results and set the camera to F8 and leave it there.

Need A Little Help - MACRO/Lighting Tweeking

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