That's It, No More, I Give-Up on TrueViews

lablover · February 18, 2025 5:25PM

Yes, I know there have been many threads on TrueView Service. Once again, we have proof the service has not improved. I like PCGS, I really do. But enough, is enough guys.

No Soup for You!!!

Just a few from my last submission. Just atrocious, with no semblance of the true coin. In-hand these are killer toned coins.

hummingbird_coins · February 18, 2025 5:29PM

inb4 someone complains about clickbait

lablover · February 18, 2025 5:36PM

@hummingbird_coins said:
inb4 someone complains about clickbait

I'm 73 years old dude, I don't know what that means...

hummingbird_coins · February 18, 2025 5:51PM

@lablover said:

@hummingbird_coins said:
inb4 someone complains about clickbait

I'm 73 years old dude, I don't know what that means...

It means, in this environment, making a vague thread title on purpose to attract lots of eyeballs. Emphasis on "on purpose" because more often than not, the "clickbait" on the forum is treated by some as if it were intentionally misleading them. To that I just shrug and wonder why some people type out a comment instead of just clicking the back arrow.

lablover · February 18, 2025 5:52PM

@hummingbird_coins said:

@lablover said:

@hummingbird_coins said:
inb4 someone complains about clickbait

I'm 73 years old dude, I don't know what that means...

It means, in this environment, making a vague thread title on purpose to attract lots of eyeballs. Emphasis on "on purpose" because more often than not, the "clickbait" on the forum is treated by some as if it were intentionally misleading them. To that I just shrug and wonder why some people type out a comment instead of just clicking the back arrow.

Got it, thanks...

PerryHall · February 18, 2025 5:56PM

When I saw your thread title, I was concerned that you were going to give up coin collecting. LOL.

lablover · February 18, 2025 5:59PM

@PerryHall said:
When I saw your thread title, I was concerned that you were going to give up coin collecting. LOL.

Thread Title Changed.

davewesen · February 18, 2025 6:19PM

you have some killer proof Roosevelts - I imagine they look even better in hand ++

Coinscratch · February 18, 2025 7:04PM

I'm done with TVs as well. Here are a few from my last sub. I've cracked out most of them which were MS66s anyway for an album.

My Pic then theirs and I'm the amateur.

Catbert · February 18, 2025 7:07PM

Just terrible.

U1chicago · February 18, 2025 7:09PM

It's unfortunate and it does not look like we will be seeing improvement in the near term.

Coinscratch · February 18, 2025 7:09PM

@Catbert said:
Just terrible.

Tell me about it and what's worse my grades are like they graded based on the TVs.

Coinscratch · February 18, 2025 7:52PM

One more, franks for the memories.

Goldbully · February 18, 2025 8:04PM

Didn't anyone in the current photography department find anything of interest from the previous administration?

Just sayin'

MsMorrisine · February 18, 2025 8:08PM

@Goldbully said:
Didn't anyone in the current photography department learn anything from the previous administration?

do we have a third administration? the quality seems to have gotten a lot worse lately

Floridafacelifter · February 18, 2025 8:30PM

I got a bunch back with a bright line across them

Relaxn · February 18, 2025 9:09PM

Massive lighting issues on all of them... FFL you have the status that you should be able to complain it gain some merit... Us little guys it seems to fall upon deaf ears..

Those are all very poor

coinbuf · February 18, 2025 9:16PM

Wow, this is not a gallery of photos to be proud of.

ProofCollection · February 18, 2025 9:28PM

I'm actually not disappointed with my last batch. They could be better, but I'm satisfied with most of them.
Note that I think they have a couple of different photograph lines. They are taking their time and doing a good job, perhaps based on submission tier or maybe luck of the draw.

This is actually what this Peace dollar looks like:

Was disappointed that they didn't choose high contrast DCAM photos, but these aren't bad. One thing is that they flipped obv/rev for 2 of them:

FlyingAl · February 18, 2025 9:34PM

@Floridafacelifter said:
I got a bunch back with a bright line across them

FFL - this is a somewhat standard lighting pattern and is simply how the luster shows.

See something similar here:

MsMorrisine · February 18, 2025 9:42PM

i'll counter that the cartwheel luster highlights are way bright and distracting

fathom · February 18, 2025 9:54PM

I think that 89-cc is nicely done, or maybe I am infatuated.

FlyingAl · February 18, 2025 10:31PM

@MsMorrisine said:
i'll counter that the cartwheel luster highlights are way bright and distracting

What exposure, F-stop, light positioning (and type), and coin distance would you recommend to correct it then?

MsMorrisine · February 18, 2025 10:32PM

like the 1884 you put up

FlyingAl · February 18, 2025 10:42PM

@MsMorrisine said:
like the 1884 you put up

Ironically, the image I posted and the TVs are about as close to identical as you can get. I'd say the only difference is a slight white balance adjustment, and a 25% angle shift of light #1 plus a slight reduction in exposure.

Here's the TV with roughly five seconds of Photoshop adjustments.

Steven59 · February 18, 2025 10:58PM

Here's a money making idea for PCGS - turn the true views into cards, like baseball cards, and sell them in packs of 5 with a slice of bubble gum

Bochiman · February 19, 2025 12:17AM

I've taken my own photos before. It's a labor of love at times, and can be time consuming.
We all got spoiled by Phil. He was a numismatist who also did photography at a high level. He knew what he was doing and had put in a lot of time.
You can take someone and give them all the equipment and they can "know how" to take photos, but when it comes to coin photography, with the different variables for each coin, it isn't that easy...particularly if you aren't a numismatist first and foremost.
Just hiring a "photographer" doesn't always cut it.
I'm not saying I could do better, as I don't have the equipment nor, any longer, the desire to fiddle around doing it, but I do know it isn't easy.

Hopefully things get better

WinLoseWin · February 19, 2025 5:34AM

@Steven59 said:
Here's a money making idea for PCGS - turn the true views into cards, like baseball cards, and sell them in packs of 5 with a slice of bubble gum

Then they can turn around and grade the cards for a fee. Raking in the money coming and going.

seatedlib3991 · February 19, 2025 9:14AM

@Bochiman . Pictures do make a huge difference. I just had a small group of coins for sale post at Great Collections. Before shipping I used my new smartphone to take some pictures.
My before and G.C.'s after pictures would make a GREAT ad for a magic cream that inproves coins dramatically. James

Connecticoin · February 19, 2025 9:18AM

Very disappointing. I wonder who does photos of the rarities featured in the PCGS Market Report? Probably not the team doing the terrible photos in this thread.

lermish · February 19, 2025 9:34AM

MICHAELDIXON · February 19, 2025 9:38AM

I'm concerned what my TVs are going to look like! The coins are in QA now.

lablover · February 19, 2025 9:54AM

@MICHAELDIXON said:
I'm concerned what my TVs are going to look like! The coins are in QA now.

Viewing is not for the faint of heart. Please share the results.

cheezhed · February 19, 2025 10:11AM

Some of those pics look similar to the old ANACS photograde certificates.

ProofCollection · March 12, 2025 8:07AM

So inconsistent. Here are some new TVs. Pretty disappointing. I guess I would describe these as washed out. or too bright Is there a more technical description someone has so I can complain? I wonder if the photos can be tweaked. At least they aren't yellow.

FriendlyEagle7 · March 12, 2025 2:16PM

why does it seem so random whether coins get axial lighting? Are there many photographers making their own judgements on how to light each coin? I've never understood why they don't take several pics with different lights turning on/off. It wouldn't take any more time than taking one pic with very simple automation.

JimTyler · March 12, 2025 2:25PM

They couldn’t just buy the same camera set up as the last guy and click a button ?

Torey · March 12, 2025 3:12PM

@JimTyler said:
They couldn’t just buy the same camera set up as the last guy and click a button ?

Oh the replies you'll get when a photographer enters the chat.

P0CKETCHANGE · March 12, 2025 3:13PM

@FriendlyEagle7 said:
why does it seem so random whether coins get axial lighting? Are there many photographers making their own judgements on how to light each coin? I've never understood why they don't take several pics with different lights turning on/off. It wouldn't take any more time than taking one pic with very simple automation.

When @PhilArnold ran things, that’s exactly what they did. On a couple of occasions, I requested the “other” photo and Phil officially swapped them for me. I’m guessing the procedure is the same today, but be careful what you wish for.

ProofCollection · March 12, 2025 3:36PM

Without knowing anything about what things cost or how much space they have, you'd think they have a few dedicated stations for a few different setups... Proof coins, Toned coins, Business coins, Copper, etc. and that way you wouldn't or shouldn't have to change the setup much once you get it dialed in. I could be over simplifying things.

HillbillyCollector · March 12, 2025 3:48PM

I was talking to a friend on here a while back. We jokingly thought about sending them through GC to get a Great Photo, and then bidding them back!🤣
If one could only get around the BP!😉

FlyingAl · March 12, 2025 4:09PM

.

Desert Moon · March 12, 2025 6:58PM

@FriendlyEagle7 said:

why does it seem so random whether coins get axial lighting? Are there many photographers making their own judgements on how to light each coin? I've never understood why they don't take several pics with different lights turning on/off. It wouldn't take any more time than taking one pic with very simple automation.

Time is money, and different lights on multiple shots are time. No way they can provide free TV’s if they have to do different set ups for each coin………….. They must be shooting 1000s of coins a day(?).

Desert Moon · March 12, 2025 7:02PM

@ProofCollection said:
Without knowing anything about what things cost or how much space they have, you'd think they have a few dedicated stations for a few different setups... Proof coins, Toned coins, Business coins, Copper, etc. and that way you wouldn't or shouldn't have to change the setup much once you get it dialed in. I could be over simplifying things.

I think you are probably right, but again, time to do multiple shots and then process them. Alot of labor. I suspect as their photographer(s) gain more experience, he/she/they will do better as they are more knowledgeable on how to shoot each coin. I have been doing this 20 years and no way no how can I get every coin right on one shot or many some times. If I had to shoot 1000s a day……….. Yikes.

renomedphys · March 12, 2025 7:12PM

Just sent this in for reholder and variety attribution. It was reimaged. Here’s the before:

And here’s the after:

Thoughts?

ProofCollection · March 12, 2025 7:14PM

@Desert Moon said:

@FriendlyEagle7 said:

why does it seem so random whether coins get axial lighting? Are there many photographers making their own judgements on how to light each coin? I've never understood why they don't take several pics with different lights turning on/off. It wouldn't take any more time than taking one pic with very simple automation.

Time is money, and different lights on multiple shots are time. No way they can provide free TV’s if they have to do different set ups for each coin………….. They must be shooting 1000s of coins a day(?).

We are not asking for free TVs. We pay for them as part of the "gold shield fee."

Goldbully · March 12, 2025 7:19PM

@renomedphys said:
Just sent this in for reholder and variety attribution. It was reimaged. Here’s the before:

And here’s the after:

Thoughts?

Again, too much emphasis on the color yellow.

I like the before TV.

renomedphys · March 12, 2025 7:22PM

@Goldbully said:

@renomedphys said:
Just sent this in for reholder and variety attribution. It was reimaged. Here’s the before:

And here’s the after:

Thoughts?

Again, too much emphasis on the color yellow.

I like the before TV.

Me too. Much more like the coin in hand. And I can actually “see” the metal, where on the new photo it’s so washed out you can’t really see anything! 😠

Goldbully · March 12, 2025 7:35PM

@renomedphys said:

Me too. Much more like the coin in hand. And I can actually “see” the metal, where on the new photo it’s so washed out you can’t really see anything! 😠

The descriptor "washed out" has been mentioned by many on this forum when it comes to TrueView 2.0, and I am also in that camp.

david3142 · March 12, 2025 8:12PM

Alright, here’s a washed out winner. I actually thought the coin should grade PL so it’s hard to photograph but this coin is deep green in person.

Here are some good photos:

FriendlyEagle7 · March 13, 2025 7:03AM

I constantly see these reels on instagram of product photography showing the .RAW file vs the edited photo. Its a cliche in photography that clients will ask for the .RAW and that you should never give it out because they'll badly edit your work and misrepresent your skills to others.

I think coin photography should be the exception to this rule. It would be such a good thing for the hobby if a TPG would publish a set of standards for what lighting and where to place it. Will that lighting look best for every coin? Of course not. Is it incredibly simple to have multiple lights and capture multiple photos in a burst and provide them all? Yes, yes it is. Cropping and adjusting exposure in post should be automated, especially if they include an 18% grey reference or color card in the shot.

That's It, No More, I Give-Up on TrueViews

Comments

Leave a Comment

Categories