Speaking of coin photography, I'd like opinions, please...
Outhaul
Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
This is another toned 1926 $2.5 Sesqui I just purchased from a forum member. I would like your totally honest and, if necessary, brutal opinion in comparison:
The TV:
My pictures:
0
Comments
Beautiful coin and your two pictures are hard to look at due to the zoom magnification. Of course I am no expert since I purchased the all ready to go system from Ray. But before I got that system I use to use my zoom and I want to say the coin was almost up to the lens and any movement would throw my picture off due to the zoom. Not sure about yours but looks like certain areas nice up close and other areas out of focus. Like I said I am no expert but man what a beautiful coin/token what ever they call it. Nice work!
out of focus, reflections from slab, sorry, get photoshop, a copy stand, digital camera with macro lens, and Goodman's book, then you are on your way. The TV shows this to be a spectacular coin.
Best, SH
Issues with focus, reflections, slab has scratches and needs a polish. Get those figured out and then you may need some lighting adjustments.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
At least yours looks like an oblong coin, the TrueView image looks like a question mark!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Excellent toning!
I can’t see the TV for some reason
Collector
91 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 56 members and counting!
instagram.com/klnumismatics
The true view has the luxury of not have to fight the plastic to get a good pic.
Light distribution is fine, B. Focus is not good at all, D-. Color is OK, B. The slab is in horrible condition, C-. It takes me about 60 seconds to polish a slab. Clarity and sharp focus require a stable platform (nothing beats a good copy stand), a good quality lens (preferably a macro lens), fast shutter speed (need lots of light), and careful attention to perpendicular positioning and sharp focus. I use a tethered connection to my desktop and can see the image it on my screen before taking the photo.
Is that brutal enough?
My photos sucked until I got a copy stand. That was the number one issue. Number 2 was a good lens, and that's just money. Lights are cheap and slab polish is even cheaper.
The coin, by the way, is gorgeous. For the record, I see hints of things in your photo that I prefer over the TrueView.
@BryceM
I polished the slab, cleaned my lens, no copy stand...YET, are these any better?
Better, for sure. Now get the copy stand.
Lance.
Waaaaaay better. Focus is much improved, but can still be better. When you finally get there it’s like an epic leap forward and the detail just comes alive. As Lance said, find a copy stand.
"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.Way better but you need hotter/brighter lights for that reverse for sure and they would help for the obverse too....in my opinion. And of course a copy stand would be very helpful. I use crazy hot flood lights but you can use other types as well. I've shot with LEDs and incandescent as well...and many others use different techniques. Just practice and time once you have the right pieces in place.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Much better. Now fix the white balance (note that the slab is yellowish) and move back a little from the coin so you can get the lights in tighter and catch some more luster and a better feel for the surfaces. You have far more megapixels on the sensor of the camera you're using than you need to post a picture here. The TrueViews show the toning well, but I have no idea what luster or surfaces are like.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Your second set of pictures are much better Bob...I cannot offer any advice though since I am just a phone photographer now...
Years ago (many) I tried photography for a while...had a Canon AE-1...pictures kept coming out blurry... could not understand why. Then a friend told me it was because I was not wearing my glasses when I focused the camera... So it looked good to me, but was, in fact, out of focus. Yep, once I put my glasses on, the pictures were fine... 
Then I moved out of the country and on to other things... 
Cheers, RickO
The second set are keepers until you get more play time.
WS
Much better awsume!
Photogenic coin.
That color is not natural... has to be AT.... lol, j/k. I'm still mad you will not sell it to me! No one needs two toned Sesq coins!!
No?
I agree with messydesk.
Beautiful coin. True view shows the toning, but not luster.
And he takes great pics from the ones I've seen here.
Bst transactions with: dimeman, oih82w8, mercurydimeguy, dunerlaw, Lakesammman, 2ltdjorn, MattTheRiley, dpvilla, drddm, CommemKing, Relaxn, Yorkshireman, Cucamongacoin, jtlee321, greencopper, coin22lover, coinfolio, lindedad, spummybum, Leeroybrown, flackthat, BryceM, Surfinxhi, VanHalen, astrorat, robkool, Wingsrule, PennyGuy, al410, Ilikecolor, Southcounty, Namvet69, Commemdude, oreville, Leebone, Rob41281, clarkbar04, cactusjack55, Collectorcoins, sniocsu, coin finder