How to photograph coins and other small objects: I have inherited a large collection of Gold, Silver and Copper coins which I am going to try an photograph. The intent is to get the...

BillA77V

I have inherited a large collection of Gold, Silver and Copper coins which I am going to try an photograph. The intent is to get the best resolution possible for a catalog to distribute in a PDF.
I am not having much luck with the lighting and detail. The macro seems to be doing it's job, I'm just not getting the lighting.
Should I use a light table as some online sources suggest? Use background? Is there a better way?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Non specular , semi-diffuse lighting works best. Do not just shoot straight on, but vary the camera angle and lighting angles up to about 20 degrees. Each side of the coin may require 2 or 3 different angles so as to approach an accurate portrayal for valuation purposes.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

You can send them to me, I'm sure I can do it. LOL.. As mentioned by Imagemeister, but I would try addition White lighting, quartz would be best. Then you can use a telephoto, with you micro lens in that to get you back a bit.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

When you shoot at a slight angle to the face of the coin it will help if you stop down the aperture to F16 and manually focus at taking aperture ( or therabouts )so you can be at a hyperfocal distance to maximize DOF.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I have a large collection of old dimes and I always wanted to find a way to protect them and I never thought of taking pictures of them. Thanks for a great idea.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

The book "Light, Science and Magic" by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua will tell you everything you need to know about lighting metal. http://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Photographic/dp/0240812255/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374028618&sr=8-2&keywords=Light%2C+science+and+magic

Solomon Loc: Australia

I gave a answer to this a while ago, you need to make a Black box lighting unit. very easy to make.I sent in photos and instructions to this site. maybe about 2 months ago.

GC Loc: Bottom left edge of Canada.

If you have a flat bed scanner, try just laying them on the glass surface and scanning them just like a page of paper. I used to do this with watches and everyone was amazed at the quality.
G.C.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

I had a similar requirement. I used a light box, a tripod, and a good macro lens. A lot of patience and time helps.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Solomon wrote:

I gave a answer to this a while ago, you need to make a Black box lighting unit. very easy to make.I sent in photos and instructions to this site. maybe about 2 months ago.

Thanks for posting, Soloman, but can you also post a link? I searched on site for 'Black box lighting unit', but got a list of unrelated lighting units. Thanks.

Solomon Loc: Australia

Ill see if I can find my photos of it. if not Ill take some more photos of it tomorrow its past my bed time here I need my beauty sleep. Give me your e-mail address and Ill send it direct to you if u like

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

GC wrote:

If you have a flat bed scanner, try just laying them on the glass surface and scanning them just like a page of paper. I used to do this with watches and everyone was amazed at the quality.
G.C.

The "Flat Bed Scanner" is the perfect tool for digitizing a coin collection, coins are like paper, they are flat. Something you might want to consider is the background of the scanner bed (the cover). If you leave it white the copied background may turn out grey and need Post Processing (PP) to correct for the catalog publication.

If you secure a dark colored paper on the inside of the scanner lid you can control the overall appearance of the scanned coins, and in the end the only PP required will be cropping each coin for the catalog.

If you decide ahead of time the nature of the catalog (color, or B&W) you can reduce your PP even more by selecting the background shade.

If you do not have a flat bed scanner you can perform wonders with a good Macro lens and two lamps placed at 45 degree angles to the coin.

Michael G

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Solomon wrote:

Ill see if I can find my photos of it. if not Ill take some more photos of it tomorrow its past my bed time here I need my beauty sleep. Give me your e-mail address and Ill send it direct to you if u like

Please post it here!

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Solomon wrote:

Ill see if I can find my photos of it. if not Ill take some more photos of it tomorrow its past my bed time here I need my beauty sleep. Give me your e-mail address and Ill send it direct to you if u like

Thanks for the kind offer, but there are other members who may like to have your information. Please post it here.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

BillA77V wrote:

I have inherited a large collection of Gold, Silver and Copper coins which I am going to try an photograph. The intent is to get the best resolution possible for a catalog to distribute in a PDF.
I am not having much luck with the lighting and detail. The macro seems to be doing it's job, I'm just not getting the lighting.
Should I use a light table as some online sources suggest? Use background? Is there a better way?

Assuming you have a flash, bounce it off a white surface (reflector or ceiling).