Feuchtwanger - Need mg3 Photography Help...

JZrarities · February 25, 2008 12:29PM

I've tried Everything, and just can't seem to get the entire coin in focus.

After reading Mark Goodman's article (numerous times) I think it just might be my point-shoot Camera.

I'm shooting with a new Canon Powershot S5 IS (and +2 Closeup Lens), so that might be my problem and I'll just have to live with the results.

My setup is with a USB tether so I can adjust the Camera settings with the Remote Capture software and see the results.

I've set the Cam to the highest Aperture (8.0,, and everything in between) and even tried to lock the Focus and adjust camera height in the Tripod to get the focus on the coin's fields. Still no luck.

Macro on. White Balance set. Tried Auto and manual focus. Played with the Aperture, Shutter Speeds and ISO...Tilted the coin and checked the angle of the Tripod...

I give up.

Image below was shot with Manual Settings (8.0 and 1/60 <--- largest depth of field and fastest shutter) with no post processing.

TomB · February 25, 2008 12:33PM

The image is a bit out of focus, but the piece is absolutely fabulous!

mgoodm3 · February 25, 2008 12:33PM

1) try it wihout the closeup lens and see what you get.
2) Don't use too much zoom or your may have trouble getting a sharp focus.
3) 1/60 is pretty good. Is the camera stable? Using timed shutter release?

mgoodm3 · February 25, 2008 12:36PM

Try it without the tether also.

JZrarities · February 25, 2008 12:43PM

Without the Closeup (1) and Zoomed way out (2) didn't seem to help the focus.

It seems no matter what I do, the focal plane seems extremely 'thin'

Camera is stable and I'm using the 'Remote Release' from a Laptop and can see the image before capture.

Below is No Lens and Zoomed Out (trying to avoid the edges) shot in Large Superfine and Cropped.

(sigh)

mgoodm3 · February 25, 2008 12:46PM

That looks pretty sharp to me. You will never get a really deep depth of focus with macro. Try to put the focuc area over the fields. The zone is wider on the side closest to the camera.

mgoodm3 · February 25, 2008 12:47PM

don't be a fraid to post process the image a little after you resize it.

JZrarities · February 25, 2008 12:50PM

THANKS

I'll try those ideas tonight and see what happens...

Hmmm...this Feuchtwanger seems to have a lot of 'height' to the strike.

mgoodm3 · February 25, 2008 12:54PM

Ideally you want the focus to be around the midpoint of the relief. Not always easy t do. The fields are the next best choice.

NumisOxide · February 25, 2008 1:18PM

Got a reverse pic?

JZrarities · February 25, 2008 1:26PM

<< <i>Got a reverse pic? >>

Here ya go, JP

Zoins · February 25, 2008 1:56PM

That is a very attractive piece! The best looking Feuchtwanger (photos) I've seen so far.

JZrarities · February 25, 2008 2:14PM

It sure looks better, Zoomed Out....

(still slightly out of focus, grrr)

ormandh · February 25, 2008 2:35PM

No need for a pic for that coin. Have you got any paper and a crayon? That coin is sweet as my honey's pot. -Dan

DJCoinz · February 25, 2008 2:56PM

On my point and shoot, the best focus is at 2.5x zoom. Anything higher than that up to the max of 4x becomes fuzzier. Try playing around with the zoom to find the setting that gives the sharpest photo (also, for a zoomed in pic like that try getting as close (not necessarily with the zoom) in to the actual coin as you can...see my examples below). Both sets of photos are uncropped originals.

Original uncropped zoomed in coin photo:

Original uncropped slab photo:

ormandh · February 25, 2008 3:01PM

What is your light source? -Dan

DJCoinz · February 25, 2008 3:10PM

Mine or his? Mine is a simple goose-necked desklamp with an iridescent bulb.

BECOKA · February 25, 2008 3:17PM

I have found it difficult to shoot with any telephoto lens. i.e. one you can zoom in and out of.

I was pretty much forced to get a cheap DSLR and a fixed macro lens. Much better results now.

JZrarities · February 25, 2008 10:07PM

<< <i>What is your light source? -Dan >>

I'm using a pair of OTT lights (from the recent JoAnne fabrics half off sale)

mgoodm3 · February 26, 2008 12:50AM

Another thing to think about is that the apparent sharpness varies with the lighting. 2 Ott lights make for pretty diffused lighting. Try using only 1. The increased contrast may help improve the look for you.

NumisOxide · February 26, 2008 9:03AM

<< <i>

<< <i>Got a reverse pic? >>

Here ya go, JP

>>

Oh goody, now I can attribute it.

HT-268

Die Variety: 6G, which is obverse Die 6, reverse die G

Rarity: R1

What's the grade?

Feuchtwanger - Need mg3 Photography Help...

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