First Adventure with Ott Lights

[TomB]

I realize that there have been many threads about Ott lights, however, tonight I picked up my first roll of film using these lights for coins. Even though I have a digital camera, I don't use it for coins; I just don't like it. On my web site there is an extensive article that I have written about film vs scanning, but this was film using white light. Attached to this post is the reverse image of a 1950-D NGC MS67 Roosevelt, on the left is the Ott lit film image while on the right is the scanned image. Neither image has been manipulated after-the-fact. The coin looks very much like the Ott image except that the coin itself has more electric purple than shows. This is because of the glare from the slab, which made me position the coin relative to the lens in a certain manner. The next post will show a quarter done in a similar manner.

[TomB]

As promised, here is an image of a 1954-S PCGS MS65 Washington. The coin grades higher than MS65 but the graders apparently did not like the toning. I consider this the mother of all toned 1954-S Washington quarters. The same caveats apply as with the Roosevelt images, however, the quarter is also a bit brighter in hand. Again, the angle that was necessary to get rid of glare tended to hinder color and luster capture.

 

I hope that these comparisons will help folks "decipher" images of toned coins when they see them on the web. By knowing how the image was acquired, be it scan, digital, white light film or Ott light, one can envision better what the coin will look like in hand. If you combine these images with the differences shown in the article on my web page, I think you will be better armed to anticipate the look of a coin.

[RobertB]

Tom

I always like your posts. This included. Very informative. For anyone that doesn't know , Tom is a professor, which should be obvious because after you read his posts you know you've been taken to school.

That quarter is awesome. I too use a scanner but this has tickled my interest.

[Weidel Legacy Collection]

Tom -

Thanks for your posts. After reading all the threads I could find on photographing coins I've come to the conclusion that I must have an Ott light for the best results. Where do you purchase yours from and did you get just the bulb or a whole lamp?

[jom]

Good job, Tom!

 

OTT lamps kick the [!@#%^&^] out of scanners. If only for the ablility to show the luster of the coin. Which simply doesn't happen with scanners....

 

This is because of the glare from the slab, which made me position the coin relative to the lens in a certain manner.

 

This would be the main reason for me to NEVER use film. I'd blow 100s of dollars just getting the right shot and it would take a day or two to see the results. I'd go bald with frustration I'm sure....

 

Three cheers for digital camers! Yay! Yay! Yay!

 

jom

[nwcs]

Actually, everything is better than a scanner! Tom, can you show us an example of a film + ott shot and then the same coin with a digital camera with regular light and white balance set properly? I'd be interested in seeing an example of that difference.

[TomB]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

 

For RWW, the lights come with the bulb already inside of it as a single unit. I would assume that a replacement bulb can be ordered or bought from a store. The lights that I have were bought at a hobby place and were in the sewing/quilting section.

 

As for your problems with film, jom, well, that's the way I am with a digital camera. I can't seem to make the darn thing do what I want!

 

I guess the above statement rules out nwcs' request for a digital image next to my film. Sorry.

[LucyBop]

I get the best results with a digi camera and natural sunlight as my only lighting source. This image here is very accurate and captures the color on this ms66fbl GEM nicely!

 

[Hoot]

You can purchase an Ott light at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. Sign up on their web site and you'll receive 40% and 50% off coupons regularly that can be used to pick one up.

 

Hoot

[spy88]

RWW, you can always type in OTT lights with your search (Google or other) and take your pick. There are many places that sell them and probably some store in your own area may carry them. As Hoot said, a lot of sewing stores offer OTTs and some office supply stores also carry them (Office Depot).

 

There are two basic types of bulbs: prong and screw-in. The prongs are cheaper, but you then are forced into buying the OTT lamp it fits. I do not know if there are other lamps available from say, Home Depot, that will accept the prong type. The screw-ins are more expensive but you get more versitility out of them as you can use a small clamp-on lamp that is light and maneuverable,

easily accommodating your needs to direct the light where you need it. I use two of these types of lamps that have a flexible neck to put the light right where I want it.

 

I myself, have not used or bought OTTs, but all this info was obtained from just browsing all the sights that my search for them came up with. I found that two of the screw-ins will run between $65 and $80 depending on supplier. I have also searched eBay for them and there are quite a few there, but not just the screw-ins. Always with a lamp or the prong type.

 

David

[darktone]

Thanks Tom! I never even heard of the ott light. I kind of thought ott-light was the muzzle flash when I fired my 30-ott6 I just went on ebay and bought one for $53 with postage. There are several to choose from. I got the one that looked the biggest. mike

[MikeKing]

I can't resist again to put in a plug for the OTT lights, and I'm glad you started using them , Tom. The vibrance and color in your photos is very nice.

 

I originally bought three OTT lights on the reccommendation of Shylock. Three seem to work really well. I am experimenting with the addition of incandescent lighting, as this produces some nice natural effects and a warmer glow, particularly off toned proofs. The imagery is magnificant and brings out the pure beauty of a coin.

 

But what I also wanted to say, is that I found using OTT lights as relaxing to my eyes as using a flat screen monitor. In fact, I usee OTT lighting now for reading and working at the computer.

 

The standard ones that are upright with the fixed base and handle are versatile for any use and work very well with photography. If you search the internet you can get good deals and maybe free light bulbs etc...

 

 

[MikeKing]

PS

 

I find the worst hindrance in photographing, particularly proofs, is the holder reflecting the light.

 

I think the best thing would be to just crack the coin out of the holder in order to photograph it.

 

How some people do it in holder, I just don't know. The photos you see on the ANR auction site are incredible, and they sure figured out a way to photograph some of those proofs. I wish I knew how they did it without the reflection.

 

 

[MikeKing]

I get the best results with a digi camera and natural sunlight as my only lighting source

 

I've only tried sunlight a few times, and it seems like it's always superior to anything else I've tried.

Now just put that coin in an NGC holder, and it'll look even better.