Experimental Coin Photography

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Matt04
Matt04 Posts: 621 ✭✭✭✭
edited June 21, 2026 12:12AM in U.S. Coin Forum

On my way back from the Knicks Ticker-tape parade I stopped at B&H & finally pulled the trigger on the lens needed to start experimenting with photographing coins.

Feel free to share your thoughts/input on any of the photos.

Just have to work on different lighting scenes now.





Comments

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Noce pics with alot of decent toing. No complaints here

  • alaura22
    alaura22 Posts: 3,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Those are nice pics
    Curious on how much you have invested so far to be able to take those pics
    If you care to share

    Mike
    My Indians
    Dansco Set

  • WiscKau
    WiscKau Posts: 337 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    All coins very nice! All dark though. Great that you're working on lighting.

  • P0CKETCHANGE
    P0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Sweet! They look pretty good already, but need a bit more light as the comment above noted (the Buff especially). I think the new lens will be a nice investment for you.

  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2026 4:43AM
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    What kind of camera and lens are you using?
    Your images look good. Lighting can be tough but with a little practice you'll get it.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
    Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
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  • WaterSport
    WaterSport Posts: 7,064 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very Sharpe pics - must be a nice lens. most of all have fun taking the pics with different light.

    WS

    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,923 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A slight tweaking of your white balance and you are all the way there.
    (Would you consider moving to Newport Beach?)

    B)

  • The_Dinosaur_Man
    The_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,592 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Post the settings you are using on the camera

    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/.

  • Matt04
    Matt04 Posts: 621 ✭✭✭✭
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    @alaura22 said:
    Those are nice pics
    Curious on how much you have invested so far to be able to take those pics
    If you care to share

    The Tamron 90mm Macro Lens I just got is around $710 after tax, but the Sony A7V Camera Body I've already owned and used as I do Photography/Film on the side.

  • Matt04
    Matt04 Posts: 621 ✭✭✭✭
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    @Morgan13 said:
    What kind of camera and lens are you using?
    Your images look good. Lighting can be tough but with a little practice you'll get it.

    Agreed, Main priority right now is experimenting with lighting.

    The lens I just got is:

    Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Macro Lens)

    but I am still experimenting with this lens and may switch over to the - Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro as I can use it for much more than just coin photography.

    This is a relatively "Cheap" lens when compared to lenses I've bought in the past from Sony...

    Photography and film is something I do on the side, so the camera body isn't specifically for coin photography. I mainly use it for other photo and video work.

    Sony A7V Full Frame (Camera Body)

  • Coinscratch
    Coinscratch Posts: 11,086 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice looking pics!
    I use an LED Ottlight as it helps brighten and bring out the colors. Then a typical bulb for back lighting.
    Just don’t use the LED light for inspecting raw coins for submission as it hides the hits.




  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Focus and clarity look fantastic! @Matt04

    Work on White Balance and Lighting and I think you'll be there.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • airplanenut
    airplanenut Posts: 22,763 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Lighting and white balance are what stick out to me. The photos look dark, so you either need to spot meter the center of the photo (if you aren’t already) and/or add exposure compensation. Changing the lighting angle will better light the coins, but likely not brighten the photos overall enough to not also need a brighter exposure.

    For white balance, your best bet is to set a custom white balance with whatever lights you’re using.

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • fathom
    fathom Posts: 2,201 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Those are nice coins, good sharpness, as has been mentioned check white balance. More light coverage and you're good.

  • Smudge
    Smudge Posts: 10,001 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Open up about 1/4 stop.

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