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Thanks for the photo tips RUSS!
Sure we all know that there are some great photo gurus here.
I asked Russ for some advice, simply because he has almsot the same exact camera as I do. I use a Nikon Coolpix 995 I think his is a 950.
So off to Russ for some pointers, and as usual he was willing to help out.
Here is a before and after pic. I feel that I have just about nailed this coin finally.
My attempt before Russ 12 step program.

Same coin same camera after Russ's advice.

What a huge difference, I feel that when I sell this coin now, I should be able to get full value for it, I do not think I would have gotten near the same value with the first pic.
Thanks Russ
More pics to come here as I take some.
Rob
I asked Russ for some advice, simply because he has almsot the same exact camera as I do. I use a Nikon Coolpix 995 I think his is a 950.
So off to Russ for some pointers, and as usual he was willing to help out.
Here is a before and after pic. I feel that I have just about nailed this coin finally.
My attempt before Russ 12 step program.

Same coin same camera after Russ's advice.

What a huge difference, I feel that when I sell this coin now, I should be able to get full value for it, I do not think I would have gotten near the same value with the first pic.
Thanks Russ
More pics to come here as I take some.
Rob

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Comments
Wow. very dramatic Before and After.
Those pics would definatly increase the potential for more $$$ when and if you sell.
Nice!!!
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Inquiring minds need to know
"La Vostra Nonna Ha Faccia Del Fungo"
Before:
After:
After only on this 1916 Mercury Dime. No before, because I could not shoot a toned coin to save my life.
Lighting was a key, and setting the white balance.
It was a simple fix, I just added 3 60 GE reveal bulbs, on desk lamps, and set up the camera correctly.
Slick as snot.
More to come. I love my camera again.
Rob
Before:
After:
-Paul
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>I have the same camera, the 995. How do you adjust the white balance?
You have to switch the setting to M on the dial (Manual)
Then setup your lighting. I used 3 desk lamps wit 60 watt GE reveal watt bulbs. Russ suggested 100 watt bulbs, but I could not find any small clip on or desk lamps that would handle more than a 60 watt.
Put down plain white paper for a shooting surface, and go to M setting, then look for meter. Adjust white balance, capture and select.
After that I shot in manual, close up macro version, set timer, and lit the coin the best I could.
Took photo into photoshop, adjusted size, cropped and image adjustments, auto levels, and that was it.
Simple simple, simple. I am sure what i just typed doesn't make it sound simple though.
LOL
I have never been able to get the colors I see in hand to come across in pics before.
Your doing awesome.......keep it up.
Nice coins....
If you have another digital camera, take a pic of your setup.
wes
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
–John Adams, 1826
<< <i>Glad I could help. Truth is, though, that these old Coolpix units are so good that once you feed them lighting they like and make a quick adjustment to white balance, they pretty much automatically take decent pics.
Russ, NCNE >>
I love my CoolPix 950 my wife gave me for Christmas almost a decade ago, I think maybe the first year they came out, expensive back then. Its lense opening is threaded for filters which I use for a microscope adapter so it takes all my 'scope photos. Except for its miniscule viewing screen, it is a total joy to operate. Rob
Questions about Ikes? Go to The IKE GROUP WEB SITE
Here are a couple of my favorite pictures taken with this setup:
It seems to do a really nice job on circulated copper, like this for example:
I believe the Nikon Coolpix 900 series isn't being made anymore though? Is this correct? If not what camera set-up would you guys recommend for someone who is not a photographer to buy?
Thanks GrandAm
<< <i>I believe the Nikon Coolpix 900 series isn't being made anymore though? >>
Hasn't been for quite a while. The 950 that I use debuted in 1999. I have a couple units that I bought used on the cheap.
Russ, NCNE
This was one of my better before pics.
Holeinone...I'm very impressed with your new found capabilities.
What's Russ' secret ? It has to be lighting !
Great images.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
From Russ: I use GE Reveal light bulbs and set the white balance manually measured against a white piece of paper. Use a slight angle to reduce glare.
Everytime I post an image I hear... it's altered surfaces or the surface looks wrong or dull... and they are right but, in hand the coin has luster and looks good.
Great tip.