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New lights, dang they're bright, (new pics, kinda big)
mgoodm3
Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
I got two new 300W quartz halogen lamps yesterday. These things are bright. the one drawback is that produce about as much heat as a blowtorch and I have to be careful how long I leave them on. I use a small desklamp to set the focus and then turn the lights on and take a couple shots and immediately turn them off. They allow really fast shutter speeds which helps with sharpness. here's a sample pic.
Here's what they look like. Fairly compact which is good.
Here's what they look like. Fairly compact which is good.
coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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You must be a perfectionist, becuase I do not see how it is possbile to improve on any of the pictures you posted recently.
There are several board members who take great pics, but yours alway seem to be a notch above the rest!
First Place Winner of the 2005 Rampage design contest!
I think I saw a microbe or two on that coin's surface.
I like the consistent, even colors across the entire coin. There are a few auction companies I know of who should at least consult with you.
<< <i>What is your ISO setting? >>
I set it at the lowest allowable 200 for this camera. Lower noise that way. And yes, I am a perfectionist with pics. I can't stand unsharpness, probably comes from the fact that I look at pics for a living.
I can even see the metal flow lines on that proof Indian Cent, as well as a few minor specs of "verdigris" on the lower right reverse around the arrowheads and below.
Outstanding!!!!!
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
My posts viewed
since 8/1/6
As always your pics are top shelf and I agree with Stuart
"Mark: Your photos are my favorite ones to view on the forum!!"
Herb
Mark - Have you tried a dark background, rather than white? Also, what are the pliers for? A quick crackout?
09/07/2006
Just out of curiousity what's a setup like that cost?
I'd love to take great shots like those.
Smitty
As far as the D-70, the camera body with no lense will run you about $780 after the current $100 rebate. Be prepared though, by time you buy a few lenses you will be in the neighborhood of $1500. If anyone wants to know where to get the best price on them online, let me know. There is one retailer I've dealt with that has the best price on them and I have had very good luck with this company.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
<< <i>A $120 105 macro will work as well as expensive ones, there are no bad macro lens' out there. >>
Oh yes there is. Go and look at some of the cheap glass on eBay. I wouldn't go near anything other than Nikon or Raynox lenses.
10x macro lens
It's on the way back to the seller. Total piece of junk, could not focus at any length, and I tried it on all three of my Nikons (5400, 5700, 8800). I've learned my lesson, and it cost some money, shipping both ways plus a 15% "restocking" fee.
<< <i>Not as much as you might think. A respected photographer/forum member here uses a digital rebel with a $120 macro that works quite nicely. I use a sigma, mid-priced lens. The really expensive lens are commonly expensive because of the floating internal elements that keep the lens the same length throughout the focus range. As long as you stick to a known brand. I don't know what crap os on Ebay. >>
Well, as I posted above, not all aftermarket lenses are good. I'm now waiting on a Raynox MSN-200 Super Macro/Close-Up lens. Here is their index page. By selecting your camera on the left, it will show all the lenses and adapters for your camera.
Raynox