photographing coins, do you have picture of your setup

djluster · January 1, 2006 8:15AM

I am new at taking pictures of my coins and i have read different thread on it, but has any of you take a picture of your setup with another camera to show how you postion light, camera just want to know if anyone had a picture of your set up. I am having trouble with the glare on the coin. Also is there a free or cheap software to edit you pics, my computer doesn't have a good program on it and I got my camera used and no software with it.

ccex · January 1, 2006 8:23AM

I made my own copystand with an old cutting board, a large wooden dowel, two clamp-on desk lamps, and a clamp for my camera (with a 1/4" bolt I cut myself). I'm still working on lighting, but am quite pleased with my $180 Olympus digital camera.

I have used Irfanview for basic editing of photos for the last 5 years. This program is shareware from Austria, available at www.irfanview.com.

djluster · January 1, 2006 8:32AM

here are my first two pictures I took
back

front

hope they work

Russ · January 1, 2006 8:40AM

From the low rent department:

Edit: Update with image of current setup.

Russ, NCNE

BlindedByEgo · January 1, 2006 9:46AM

Fun thread. Heven't broght in the big lights yet...

mozeppa · January 1, 2006 10:21AM

you can bet i'll post a pix as soon as the rest of my stuff gets here....and i'll guarantee this...it'll make some go hmmm!

Hobbyist · January 1, 2006 11:26AM

As is readily apparent, mine is made up of junk I had in my basement.

(camera mounted on the angle iron pointing straight down)

BlindedByEgo · January 1, 2006 11:28AM

<< As is readily apparent, mine is made up of junk I had in my basement.

(camera mounted on the angle iron pointing straight down) >>

DANG! All you need now is a welding torch and shield

Hobbyist · January 1, 2006 11:56AM

<< 

DANG! All you need now is a welding torch and shield

>>

I'll have to check the basement but I probably have both laying around down there somewhere.

xbob · January 1, 2006 12:00PM

My CS1 copystand and Coolpix 775 and accessories.
Under my computer table on the floor.

OldTimeHunter · January 1, 2006 12:13PM

Whats the idea behind the paper cone, i see it in Russ & Bob's photos plus how is it used.

Dale

obversity · January 1, 2006 12:22PM

<< Whats the idea behind the paper cone, >>

I'll guess its used to diffuse the light over the coin. Place the cup over the coin and shoot through it. Good idea. I should try it.

tmot99 · January 1, 2006 12:44PM

<< Whats the idea behind the paper cone, i see it in Russ & Bob's photos plus how is it used.

Dale >>

It's called MartyVision.

Actually, it is a light box. It diffuses the light. Works really well with proof cameo coins.

xbob · January 1, 2006 12:46PM

That cone is just an el-cheap-o Target lampshade with the wire cut out. I got the idea on this forum from Marty and Russ.

It really helps when shooting a proof!

JDelage · January 1, 2006 1:30PM

Nice thread, thanks.

dizzyfoxx · January 1, 2006 2:54PM

Here's mine

TorinoCobra71 · January 1, 2006 7:56PM

Russ -

Thats the ticket! A copystand with two adjustable desk lamps. Thats the setup I have, and it DOES work for me!

TorinoCobra71

djluster · January 3, 2006 4:22AM

Thank you for your ideas I am going to start working on my setup this week, for those how were busy over the weekend any more ideas or photos of your set up

TOMCATTOM · January 3, 2006 5:03AM

DAM!!!!!!!! THATS IMPRESSIVE, WHAT DO YOU SHOOT WITH PANOVISION?

100proof1957 · January 3, 2006 5:16AM

Think Diz is blowing smoke !

MajorDuty · January 3, 2006 5:49AM

I can't afford coins, so I have to take pictures of my neighbors coins..........from my house. :-)

JDelage · January 11, 2006 6:21AM

I'm interested in those stands like this one:

or this one:

Are those homemade, or are they purchased?

Thanks,

JD

cosmicdebris · January 11, 2006 7:03AM

MajorDuty · January 11, 2006 7:25AM

The asking price for many stands is rediculous. Make one for next to nothing:

Russ · January 11, 2006 7:37AM

<< The asking price for many stands is rediculous. Make one for next to nothing: >>

I probably paid less for mine than the time and materials cost in yours.

Russ, NCNE

JDelage · January 11, 2006 7:45AM

Russ - may I ask where you bought yours?

Russ · January 11, 2006 7:48AM

<< Russ - may I ask where you bought yours? >>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=details&Q=&sku=53768&is=REG

It's gone up $5 to $46 since I bought mine. Saw one sell on eBay for $27 a while back.

Russ, NCNE

NumisOxide · January 11, 2006 7:52AM

<< Russ - may I ask where you bought yours? >>

<< http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=details&Q=&sku=53768&is=REG

It's gone up $5 to $46 since I bought mine. Saw one sell on eBay for $27 a while back.

Russ, NCNE >>

I have the same one. It works great.

JDelage · January 11, 2006 7:56AM

Thank you, this is great.

dizzyfoxx · January 11, 2006 9:04AM

<< Think Diz is blowing smoke ! >>

Ummmmmm

...Yes!

MajorDuty · January 12, 2006 2:56AM

<< 

<< The asking price for many stands is rediculous. Make one for next to nothing: >>

I probably paid less for mine than the time and materials cost in yours.

Russ, NCNE >>

The materials were free and the time spent and the fabrication was fun, plus the satisfaction obtained upon completion.

Forty six bucks, though, aint a bad price at all. Others I've seen have been triple that amount. Can't argue with your results, either.

ElKevvo · January 12, 2006 3:17AM

good thread! I need to work on my setup...I do have a question though (and it is a serious one)...how do you look through the viewfinder? Just stand over it and look down?

messydesk · January 12, 2006 3:46AM

<< good thread! I need to work on my setup...I do have a question though (and it is a serious one)...how do you look through the viewfinder? Just stand over it and look down? >>

That's one way. You can also get a video capture card for your PC and plug the camera into it, then view the setup on your computer monitor. This can be helpful if you find yourself blocking your own light too often while setting up a shot.

Preussen · January 12, 2006 4:32AM

<< 

<< Russ - may I ask where you bought yours? >>

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=details&Q=&sku=53768&is=REG

It's gone up $5 to $46 since I bought mine. Saw one sell on eBay for $27 a while back.

Russ, NCNE >>

Russ: Thanks for the link! I just ordered one

- Preussen

rgCoinGuy · February 7, 2008 12:21AM

I dug this up to add the pictures I took last to it, it seems like it would fit better here

OK Here goes, lots of pics, my diffuser (mostly used for proofs and hard to capture copper) is a cut up milk jug. Here is a link to some pics I recently took with this setup..... Pic Thread

Cut out a milk Jug like this:

My Setup Nikon 995 (Under 200 bucks on ebay, older camera, but try to find one with the lowest possible exposures, the copy stand is from 2sistersfromtexas on ebay around 30 bucks, its 12 inches and adjustable, the lights I use are basically just three clamp lights running reveal bulbs, the other lights you see I don't normally use but are for experimenting):

Finally, the shooting the picture pic (do this with and without the diffuser (milk jug) and see which looks better on the coins:

drwstr123 · February 7, 2008 12:37AM

Pentax ist DS and Kaiser4386 copystand, 2x13w OTTS and greycard for WB.

malachi555 · March 27, 2008 8:24AM

Just resurrecting this thread to post a couple of questions for those that posted here:

1. With all of the different jimmy-rigged setups, how many of you are using point and shoot digital cameras, and how many are using SLR?

2. I noticed that many of the cameras are positioned a good distance away from the coin. What is the average distance you are positioning the camera lens from the slab surface in inches? Also, I'm assuming you're using the macro setting here. I've had a hard time imaging 3CS and other smaller coins when the lens is farther away.

Thanks!

BECOKA · March 27, 2008 8:31AM

<< Just resurrecting this thread to post a couple of questions for those that posted here:

1. With all of the different jimmy-rigged setups, how many of you are using point and shoot digital cameras, and how many are using SLR?

2. I noticed that many of the cameras are positioned a good distance away from the coin. What is the average distance you are positioning the camera lens from the slab surface in inches? Also, I'm assuming you're using the macro setting here. I've had a hard time imaging 3CS and other smaller coins when the lens is farther away.

Thanks! >>

3CS would put my lens at about 1.5-2 feet away filling the entire lens. That is a fixed 150mm macro lens and ideal for getting enough light on the coin. Oh and SLR all the way.

rgCoinGuy · March 27, 2008 8:38AM

<< Just resurrecting this thread to post a couple of questions for those that posted here:

1. With all of the different jimmy-rigged setups, how many of you are using point and shoot digital cameras, and how many are using SLR?

2. I noticed that many of the cameras are positioned a good distance away from the coin. What is the average distance you are positioning the camera lens from the slab surface in inches? Also, I'm assuming you're using the macro setting here. I've had a hard time imaging 3CS and other smaller coins when the lens is farther away. q]

1) My camera is a Nikon 995 (point and shoot I believe) with built in Macro, got it used from ebay for around 200 bucks.

2) My average distance is probably shorter than most, usually between 6-12 inches, as that is the height of the copy stand I use.

ibzman350 · March 27, 2008 8:41AM

Nothing fancy here, but it works for me.

Herb

LanLord · March 27, 2008 8:43AM

Ya know you really gotta like takin pictures of stuff if you're takin pictures of your camara and setup.

I actually shot of video of my camara, on the other hand I got some nice stills of my camcorder!

pendragon1998 · March 27, 2008 9:07AM

My inexpensive coin photography setup

I have since upgraded to a 150 mm sigma macro lens, but the setup is more or less the same. The photo is not entirely representative of my setup, as there is usually a cat sitting under the camera, shedding. I've also added a pair of sock-covered sand bags that sit on top of my SLR to dampen a vibration problem I was having.

mheffner2 · March 27, 2008 11:18AM

pendragon, I'm finding your photoshop matting primer a huge help! Thanks!

JDelage · April 8, 2008 10:28AM

This is a photo of my set up. I used drafting paper to diffuse the light, and 3 fluorescent bulbs rated at 5000k to get the right color:

This is the best I can do in picture (this is the business strike version). Comment / feedback / criticism welcome:

notwilight · April 8, 2008 10:44AM

I've taken more photos in my bedroom than some of the most prolific pornographers:

AlixTCat · June 3, 2008 5:30AM

<< This is a photo of my set up. I used drafting paper to diffuse the light, and 3 fluorescent bulbs rated at 5000k to get the right color:

>>

I am wondering why you have your lights so far away? I use the same bulbs you use but they are 5-8 inches from the coin. Any farther away and it doesn't light up the coin.

Same with the setup below yours. Why a black umbrella? Are you attempting to bounce light from a black surface?

Jonathan

adamlaneus · June 10, 2008 1:40PM

I finally grabbed my backup camera and snapped a pic or two of my setup:

The camera has the Canon 65mm "1x-5x" lens on it, set to about 3x, a good balance of resolution and magnification.

This is what took many of the pictures in this thread.

mrearlygold · June 10, 2008 1:41PM

Doogy · June 10, 2008 1:45PM

the ole' handy Redneck Camera Phone (or for those living in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas), just a "camera phone"

coinsarefun · June 10, 2008 1:50PM

<< the ole' handy Redneck Camera Phone (or for those living in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas), just a "camera phone"

>>

MajorDuty · June 10, 2008 1:54PM

Takes pictures like this.....from a 1/4 mile away....

photographing coins, do you have picture of your setup

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