Coin Photo Lighting

mrearlygold · April 1, 2006 3:01PM

OK we broke down and bought an Olympus SP 500 UZ digital camera and the coin photography set up that has a copy stand, etc. We are struggling with the lighting on gold coins. They are either looking TOO bright or not bright enough. Help!

What kind of lights are you all using and would you please show a couple of examples and give us some tips?

Thank you in advance!

Tom

mgoodm3 · April 1, 2006 3:16PM

On most high AU or MS coins I tend toward 2 lights at about 11 and 2 o'clock. Get the lights as close to the camera and lens as possible, almost touching. On circ gold i tend toward either two lights or one light with some diffusion (a little opaque plastic works well). Just a couple of plain bulbs work pretty well. Bare bulbs, no hood. the hood will prevent you from getting them close in to the camera. just gotta make sure that you get a good white balance with them. Below is two lights.

IrishMike · April 1, 2006 3:22PM

Buy the $90 version of photoshop, has an autmatic color adjustment feature or spend 5 minutes to learn how to adjust the color yourself. I use three Ott light, the two fold up close to the camera lense and the the third on screwed into a bulb on a goose neck lamp. Adjust the lighting as you look through your view finder.

mrearlygold · April 1, 2006 3:28PM

Man you guys make it sound so easy and mgoodm3 is that a slabbed coin?

Peekboou · April 1, 2006 3:32PM

You can get OTT lights at Staples!
Jay

mrearlygold · April 1, 2006 3:35PM

What's an "Ott" light?

We bought this set up TABLE TOP

Not doing good with color on gold coins.....

IrishMike · April 1, 2006 3:57PM

Tom do a search for ott lights I started a thread when they went on sale. No its not easy, it takes a lot of time getting used to your camera, setting the stops correctly, shoot in aperture mode and set it as high as the camera will allow. You can play with the light settings in the view finder to. It should take you around 3 weeks or so fussing with the camera to feel comfortable.

mrearlygold · April 1, 2006 4:01PM

Mike, setting stops?

Like a gold trade? heheh

Seriously we bought the bulbs shown in the table top set up. Taking the hood off the light we can go blind after a few shots! What do you mean setting the stops?

It's almost 3 AM and I'm dead. I'll post a couple pics tomorrow morning and maybe you can critique them??

Rgrds
Tom ( where's the frustrated icon? )

IrishMike · April 1, 2006 4:05PM

OK the f stop is what I was talking about, will be in your manual.

drwstr123 · April 1, 2006 4:28PM

Hi- I've got OTT! They are convenient but you do not need them. Your camera can make all necessary adjustments. It's a matter of time and experience. Be patient and work. You can't normally assimilate all variables at once. Try eBay-Photgrophy discussion and find Camerajim. He's got a tutorial on digital. Great!

Sincerely, Mike

mrearlygold · April 2, 2006 1:02AM

Thanks guys,

this Camera Jim?

Russ · April 2, 2006 2:32AM

Three GE Reveal 100 watt bulbs, slab laid on a white piece of paper, white balance preset using the white piece of paper, no software color adjustment.

Russ, NCNE

drwstr123 · April 2, 2006 2:43AM

Yep! That's Camerajim. You have a lot of reading to do and much, much practice. Good luck and good results. Mike

mrearlygold · April 2, 2006 2:44AM

Wow Russ, if we could get that good we'd be real happy. Ours are coming out darker or brighter. The brighter is worse looking than the darker.

Are you using a tent?

Russ · April 2, 2006 2:47AM

<< <i>Wow Russ, if we could get that good we'd be real happy. >>

It's not me, it's my $80 camera.

<< <i>Are you using a tent? >>

Nope. Just bare bulbs aimed directly at the coin. Two high at the top, one a little lower coming in from the left.

Russ, NCNE

CarlWohlforth · April 2, 2006 3:14AM

A set up with artificial lights is most convenient because you can take pictures any time of day. However I always like to put in a plug for indirect natural sunlight. This photo was taken on a bright and sunny morning from my office with all lights turned off.

mrearlygold · April 2, 2006 4:07AM

Arghhhh

northcoin · April 2, 2006 4:39AM

OK, I've invested in the Ot lights, upgraded the camera, added slave triggered dual flash, and even have one of those domes. What I'm missing though is the time.

Coin Photo Lighting

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