Axial Lighting
lsica
Posts: 1,623 ✭✭✭✭
Axial Lighting
Philately will get you nowhere....
4
lsica
Posts: 1,623 ✭✭✭✭
Comments
Cool, how did the photo come out?
Mr_Spud
Funny, I was just about to head to home depot for some glass.
Have been a photog for twenty years and blast white coins are tough.
The glass defracts the glare returning to camera.
Also the further the light source the softer the light.
In theory.
Curious as to how it works with a freakin' cell phone.
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That's great execution in my eyes. Here I obsess over glass types, and how to hold the glass in place! I haven't even attempted this myself yet.
I try a similar setup, but with a DSLR and a diffuser over the light. I find I get much more accurate color that way. But your setup looks perfect for blast white coins! Thanks for posting this.
My OmniCoin Collection
My BankNoteBank Collection
Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
I would like to see some pictures.
I saw this from a video presentation at FUN many years ago.
He said make simple gig like device from wood to hold the glass.
It is on the Newman Numismatic Portal.
Guy was a photog for one of the auction houses.
I was like... duh!
Why did I not think of that?
Got to let the main light hit the coin, and as it bounces back it defracts thru the glass on the return trip to the sensor.
Hope that makes sense.
Will try tonight with an ordinary picture frame.
Then go shopping for more specialized glass next week if that doesn't work.
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@yspsales
What kind of light do you like?
Alot of times natural.
Have been working with a photo stand Halogen type light set up and it is a bear to manage.
Okay for sports cards but coins are a tough subject.
Cannot control light or get away far enough.
LED panel would probably work the best.
I think the glass pane might solve alot of issues.
I photographed 100 weddings including a former Ms America... that was EZPZ compared to a blast white or toned coin.
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@yspsales
Thanks for your reply.
Light placement is my biggest challenge.
Back in the day I went all in thinking to myself-This is how I can pick up that color😃. Long story short it was a HUGE waste of my time. Spent way too much time fiddling around with everything and the pics were not so hot! I wouldn’t recommend it.
This is why I always request a TV when submitting... it is the best $5 you can ever spend in this hobby.
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Yes the TV’s are always well received, no question about that.
I am a shutterbug and have been most all of my life. So with coins it like a hobby within a hobby for me. I love to image my coins and other collectors coins for them. I enjoy picking up the color and showing coins in their best light possible . I was just making the comment that axial lighting is not the way to go. It’s not necessary and isn’t effective.
You get a softer light in intensity but it also becomes a point source of light creating a more specular light. Having a larger light source near the subject is the best softness. I always aim to diffuse my coin lights near the slab to get the softbox effect.
I've never had much luck using axial lighting on slabs, so I generally don't use it. On raw coins, the method works wonders as long as the glass, plastic slide, acetate sheet, or whatever you use is pristine. Ring lights mounted to the camera lens function for prooflike and less reflective coins, but not for cameo proofs.
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
I am struggling with some little halogen bulbs on my copystand.
I think they are too close and too intense..
Tried the axial, but need a clean/nicer pane of glass (see dust and reflection)
Next weeks project... find my LED panel and try natural and LED
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@yspsales I use LED lights and cover it with diffusion material I cut out of a diffusion sheet. It strikes a nice overall balance. That and having enough working distance from lens to coin.
what lighting setup do you prefer @crazyhounddog? I do the same @turtlecat - use tissue paper over leds - need to use my dslr more tho, just been using my smartphone to date
I'll bet.
So far meh. The light is not diffuse enough and I need to get a better piece of glass than a $1 picture frame from the dollar store ;-) but as a concept it works
Thanks for the update!
Mr_Spud
Axial is fun.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
I use daylight bulbs, the curly ones. I also use a Nikon D750 with a sigma180mm lens. It’s all held together with a very ridged copy stand.
nice - thx, @crazyhounddog
@ɹoʇɔǝlloɔ PM sent