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Hey coin photographers, what is the most difficult coin to shoot?

erwindocerwindoc Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 13, 2020 12:58PM in U.S. Coin Forum

I was thinking about a cameo toned coin. Maybe just hazy slabs? Thoughts??

Comments

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,728 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not that I'm a photographer by any stretch, but yes toned cameos, and large cents in slabs.

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  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,097 ✭✭✭✭✭

    In my experience, the cameo contrast allows the camera (and photographer) to focus better on a proof than with a non-cameo. My thought to your question is a brilliant proof with various colors that change with location and tilt.

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  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Proof Coins in Slabs are Tough

  • joeykoinsjoeykoins Posts: 17,598 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yes, I would agree the Cameo's are tough. Hard to focus and stay with the right angle. :)

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  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,791 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm no photographer but I shoot my coins and strive to take the best shots possible with a phone but I found the incuse Indians to be tough.

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  • MarkInDavisMarkInDavis Posts: 1,724 ✭✭✭✭

    Dark copper can be quite challenging.

    image Respectfully, Mark
  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 14,071 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Without question imaging a proof coin behind plastic to pick up its true colors without glare. At least that’s been my experience.

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Toned proofs are always a crap shoot for me

    m

    Walker Proof Digital Album
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  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,927 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Brilliant proofs -a real bugger every time.

    WS

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  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Indian quarter and half eagles are a real pain. Colorful proof coins are also problematic. A lot of times you’re deciding between luster, color, and contrast.

  • FlatwoodsFlatwoods Posts: 4,247 ✭✭✭✭✭

    toned proofs

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Smaller diameter toned coins in older NGC generation holders.

  • relicsncoinsrelicsncoins Posts: 8,114 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Years ago on this forum someone had a photography challenge for a toned proof Lincoln. The coin was mailed around the country to various collectors/photographers to photograph. I'm an average coin photographer at best, but that coin was the most challenging coin for me.

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  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @relicsncoins said:
    Years ago on this forum someone had a photography challenge for a toned proof Lincoln. The coin was mailed around the country to various collectors/photographers to photograph. I'm an average coin photographer at best, but that coin was the most challenging coin for me.

    I believe I remember it. I was on several of those challenges. It was a lot of fun and some of the pictures that people did were fantastic. Equipment is better now and there’s more knowledge out there. I wonder if anyone will start another challenge ?

  • ironmanl63ironmanl63 Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TurtleCat said:

    @relicsncoins said:
    Years ago on this forum someone had a photography challenge for a toned proof Lincoln. The coin was mailed around the country to various collectors/photographers to photograph. I'm an average coin photographer at best, but that coin was the most challenging coin for me.

    I believe I remember it. I was on several of those challenges. It was a lot of fun and some of the pictures that people did were fantastic. Equipment is better now and there’s more knowledge out there. I wonder if anyone will start another challenge ?

    That would be quite fun. I would join in on that.

  • travlntiquestravlntiques Posts: 46 ✭✭✭

    Proofs for sure, it doesn't even have to be cameo. Their reflectivity always shows more than I want and getting the lighting to hit right is super challenging. Now.....if they are toned.....I really have a hard time. Diameter is an issue too. One of the worst things I ever had to shoot was a toned proof seated dime. I can only imagine Trimes!!!!

    "Character is doing the right thing when no one is watching". - J.C. Watts
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  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TomB said:
    ...a brilliant proof with various colors that change with location and tilt.

    Exactly. Especially if it is holdered because you can't get the light where it needs to be without slab glare.
    Lance.

    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,850 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For me hardest coins are the Proofs with no Cameo contrast.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • ike126ike126 Posts: 802 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Could never get PL or DMPLS at all

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,905 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The most difficult coin to shoot is the Type 1 gold dollar since it's the smallest US coin ever made at 13mm. You really need to take careful aim. ;)

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  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'll say proof coins.
    This coin is bright.

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Man ... You guys know your stuff.

  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,410 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Slabbed toned proof copper, and in general pieces with semi-prooflike fields and darker toning. These coins get that much harder to shoot in the newer holders where they're firmly locked in place and can't be slightly angled.

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  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ironmanl63 said:

    @TurtleCat said:

    @relicsncoins said:
    Years ago on this forum someone had a photography challenge for a toned proof Lincoln. The coin was mailed around the country to various collectors/photographers to photograph. I'm an average coin photographer at best, but that coin was the most challenging coin for me.

    I believe I remember it. I was on several of those challenges. It was a lot of fun and some of the pictures that people did were fantastic. Equipment is better now and there’s more knowledge out there. I wonder if anyone will start another challenge ?

    That would be quite fun. I would join in on that.

    Perhaps someone will start one again? I have thought about it if I had a coin that would be challenging enough and inexpensive enough.

  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Brilliant proofs in slabs.

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  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,864 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Proofs are tough, but I have a hard time with certain large cents and early copper in general. It’s difficult to create contrast where this isn’t much and luster is so hard to show compared to silver & gold.

  • No HeadlightsNo Headlights Posts: 2,106 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Many of the coins listed on ebay

  • morgandollar1878morgandollar1878 Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Slabbed toned proofs are definitely the most difficult to photograph.

    Instagram: nomad_numismatics
  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,708 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Proof coins. I’ve tried many different setups without any luck. Challenging, esp with my macro photography skills.

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • DelawareDoonsDelawareDoons Posts: 3,413 ✭✭✭✭✭

    High relief material thanks to the narrow depth of field on most macros. Image stacking is a pain.

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  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 14,071 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @robec said:

    @relicsncoins said:
    Years ago on this forum someone had a photography challenge for a toned proof Lincoln. The coin was mailed around the country to various collectors/photographers to photograph. I'm an average coin photographer at best, but that coin was the most challenging coin for me.

    Agreed.
    This was the coin........the contest lasted for about 9 months starting around November of 2009.

    Here are your photos.

    I remember that Lincoln like it was yesterday. That was a fun contest for sure. Proof coins with color behind plastic is, without question, the hardest coin to image.

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • ElmerFusterpuckElmerFusterpuck Posts: 4,809 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Proofs are very tough. As for regular strikes, dark copper coins in non-pronged NGC holders have always been a bear.

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