New Camera....Maybe I can stop apologizing.....
TommyType
Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
Apologizing for my HORRIBLE pictures, that is.
At one time, I was "acceptable" with coin photography. I had a little point and click, a tripod, and enough practice to not embarrass myself too much. But I took some time off from collecting, and the camera fell into disrepair. (Ok....I dropped it).
Anyway, I've never been able to get my cell phone camera to do anything except photograph glare. And it's not really a bad camera, (photo below of the new camera is from the cell phone). It's just not the right tool for the job.
So, I went searching. I did some reading of Mark Goodwin's book, and realize that a dSLR is what you REALLY want. But on my budget, and for the time I'm actually going to spend, I just couldn't do it. But my theories were: 1) Any camera will be better than the cell phone, and 2) I want something for everyday use too. Wildlife, events, travel, etc.
So, this is what I came up with:
"Canon sx530 hs". Some call this type a "bridge camera", because it's somewhere between the pocket point and click, and a real dSLR. All of the manual control is there, but it has a non-replaceable lens. The "jack of all trades" camera, that hopefully I can coax some good coin photography out of.
At this point, I barely know how it works....I don't have my lighting setup selected yet....I haven't white balanced it....and for many other reasons, I have no business taking coin photos yet. But of course, I couldn't help myself. 
I think I'm back to "acceptable" again. It's maybe the easiest type of coin to photograph....toned circulated. But it's a start. Time to put in the time to get myself to "pretty good". It may take awhile.
Comments
When you figure it all out, please let me know cause my camera skills suck!
Later, Paul.
Not bad.....a very good start though.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Yes, a very good start indeed
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
I played with a Pentax "Bridge Camera" two years ago another member here was taking sensational photos with.
It wasn't far off my Nikon DSLR and I think if I'd really spent time getting to know it better I might have gotten even closer.
I have your solution! Mark Goodman's "Numismatic Photography"!
I haven't even begun to apply all of the lessons to be learned in it yet. But just reading it, I realize, "I never tried that", "I'm doing that wrong", "I didn't know that", "I should try that", etc. Somewhere in there is your solution.
I think I was HOPING there would be a section called, "Buy THIS camera". But that was wishful thinking given the moving target of camera technology and products. But the one lesson I did take away was, "It's not the camera, it's the technique".
So, now with camera in hand, it's time for me to go back to Chapter 1, and start the journey again. My next big step will either be lighting, or a better copy stand/tripod solution........
That book is definitely the bible if you want to improve how your photos look. Mandatory reading.
color off and flat lighting. you need to do a lot more testing with your lighting
also rotate to straight and crop
Cool. Coin photography is a hobby-within-a-hobby for me. I started out thinking that really nice photos were coming from really expensive cameras. Honestly, the truth is about 180 degrees away from that. Mark’s book is fantastic.
In order of importance:
There might be a little variation here (and I’ve probably listed if differently before) but the best camera in the world can’t overcome an unstable platform or incorrect lighting.
How bad were they before?
(Kidding!)
You can apologize by sending me that half dollar.
No, me, me please!
it's a good start. It will allow you to refine your technique, but now you've been bitten by the incurable photo bug! Get yourself an inexpensive copystand, some good lighting, and maybe start looking at post-shot photo editing software. As was pointed out, it is a hobby-within-hobby, and a great way to study your coins up close and personal.
Decent pictures.
Heck of a nice coin for a F15!
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Very nice pictures... far better than anything I could accomplish.... Years ago I purchased a nice set up for coin photography.... then life got in the way.... never got back to it. I think I still have the set up somewhere... no camera though.... Oh well.. I have survived this far with copy and paste....and my wife sending me pictures...
Cheers, RickO