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PCGS TrueView Poll

Started by IGWT,

72 posts in this topic

IGWT

IGWT

Posted
Posted

Looking at numerous examples of photos produced by PCGS's new TrueView service -- posted across the street and in the PCGS registry -- I tend to doubt that they depict (or even attempt to depict) the coins as they would appear in hand. The intent seems to be creation of a beautiful representation instead of an accurate representation.

 

What do you think: PCGS TrueView Poll

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goose3

goose3

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Posted

I don't like the background for starters and that there is no mention of grade anywhere.

 

It seems that untoned coins look really nice except for the crappy background and that the toned coins look just plain fake.

 

I would say that from all of the pics I've seen that the More a coin is toned that the worse truview looks.....at least to me.

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gmarguli

gmarguli

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They're nice looking pictures, but I'm not thrilled with their accuracy. I've held in my hand and closely examined two that were posted to the forum. I don't care what the current owner of the coins said, one did not match the coin well at all and hid some defects and the other was..um..optimistic.

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Tradedollarnut

Tradedollarnut

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I think they're great. I had almost all my coins done and they sent me preview images to ask if I needed any redone. Out of 80 coins, I only requested a couple of retakes.

 

It's amazing how nice our coins look when they're out of their plastic tomb and have some light on them.

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Hoot

Hoot

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Ah! Yes, I have seen examples of those and didn't put 2&2 together! That's the first time, however, that I've seen TDN's seated dollars photographed that way, with the exception of the Gobrecht of his sig line. (Lovely dollars, BTW.)

 

I basically like the photos, although they do seem to somehow lack some of the details, particularly of the fields. They also do not capture a sense of luster. Like any photo, they have their strengths and weaknesses. And I think that a person simply has to choose whatever compromise they like best.

 

Hoot

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Tradedollarnut

Tradedollarnut

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I basically like the photos, although they do seem to somehow lack some of the details, particularly of the fields. They also do not capture a sense of luster. Like any photo, they have their strengths and weaknesses. And I think that a person simply has to choose whatever compromise they like best.

 

Those are the small size previews that they emailed me. There are two larger sizes that they provide - one about double that size and one that is so huge you can see every little slidemark.

 

My instructions were to show the color as accurately as possible. There was only one coin where I requested they show the luster. If instructed, I'm certain they would go for luster at the expense of color - but that's not what I desired. As you say, it's all a trade off.

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Hoot

Hoot

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I just had a look at one of the high resolution photos provided by PCGS. It was unreal. The definition was unmatched in any electronic photo I'd ever seen, beat the hell out of any catalog photo I've ever seen, and was superb for every coin detail and color. The trade-off was obviously luster. It seems like one aspect or another of the coin in-hand will be lost with a photo, but that simply must be expected. Like I said before, I've never seen a photo without one form of compromise or another.

 

Hoot

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IGWT

IGWT

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Thanks for posting the larger image, TDN. It's odd; for some reason the smaller image has a surreal appearance to me, while the larger image gives me the sensation of vertigo (I'm not sure why -- perhaps the very sharp definition and relatively high contrast). As Hoot said, the details on the large photo are incredible. I'm still left wondering, though, if the photographic technique is intended to create an image as the eye would see the coin.

 

BTW, thanks for participating on the boards and for sharing your experience as well as photos of your remarkable coins.

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Oldtrader3

Oldtrader3

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I always get visually distracted by the large images, such as this one. I think that there is just too much content out of context with what the brain images as a coin. I just can't appreciate images that large. I can not see the whole coin at once and have to scan it on my screen which is too much detail to absorb at once.

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Hoot

Hoot

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I always get visually distracted by the large images, such as this one. I think that there is just too much content out of context with what the brain images as a coin. I just can't appreciate images that large. I can not see the whole coin at once and have to scan it on my screen which is too much detail to absorb at once.

 

I have a nifty little program called CompuPic that allows me to look at photos, no matter their size without exceeding the limits of my screen. I have to download the photo to my hard drive, but can then look at it, zoom in and out at will, etc. It's greaat for looking at photos such as what TDN posted.

 

Hoot

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chinook

chinook

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I like the service. In fact I am sending in a few copper toners to see how they come out. I will have a better idea when I can compare the phots to the coins, but right now I give it a thumbs up.

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DirtyGoldMan

DirtyGoldMan

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This week, I submitted 7 coins for TrueView photography service. They range from a Very Good Draped Bust Dime to AU-58 rare date gold. These are obviously not museum quality pieces. wink.gif I will post the results here when I receive the images.

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IGWT

IGWT

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This week, I submitted 7 coins for TrueView photography service. They range from a Very Good Draped Bust Dime to AU-58 rare date gold. These are obviously not museum quality pieces. wink.gif I will post the results here when I receive the images.

 

Sagerad -- Excellent; I look forward to the results. Did you take photos of the coins before submitting them; if so, maybe you could also post some of your own photos for comparison?

 

Chinook -- Could you also post the photos of your copper when you receive them?

 

Thanks.

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IGWT

IGWT

Posted
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This week, I submitted 7 coins for TrueView photography service. They range from a Very Good Draped Bust Dime to AU-58 rare date gold. These are obviously not museum quality pieces. wink.gifI will post the results here when I receive the images.

 

Just a reminder. grin.gif

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gmarguli

gmarguli

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Posted
This week, I submitted 7 coins for TrueView photography service. They range from a Very Good Draped Bust Dime to AU-58 rare date gold. These are obviously not museum quality pieces. wink.gifI will post the results here when I receive the images.

 

Just a reminder. grin.gif

 

This is PCGS he's talking about. He won't have the results until around March.

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James_OldeTowne

James_OldeTowne

Posted
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Interesting! A pretty good idea, too.

 

Couple of interesting points:

 

"To ensure the best possible image"

Note that he didn't state "most accurate image", but "best possible image". Best according to what standards?

 

"Our high-quality images ... can be used by dealers and auctioneers any way they wish, for print or online advertising, marketing and promotion,"

I guess this means I can use images of coins that don't belong to me? This seems weird...

 

Finally, the couple of sample images that I saw in the link provided look no better than those that my camera reproduces. I'm not sure why I'd want to pay somebody else what sounds like a pretty stiff fee to image my coins.

 

Oh well, I'm sure a lot of folks will enjoy the service!

 

Is NGC doing something similar?

 

James

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midwest

midwest

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Posted
Interesting! A pretty good idea, too.

 

Couple of interesting points:

 

"To ensure the best possible image"

Note that he didn't state "most accurate image", but "best possible image". Best according to what standards?

 

"Our high-quality images ... can be used by dealers and auctioneers any way they wish, for print or online advertising, marketing and promotion,"

I guess this means I can use images of coins that don't belong to me? This seems weird...

 

Finally, the couple of sample images that I saw in the link provided look no better than those that my camera reproduces. I'm not sure why I'd want to pay somebody else what sounds like a pretty stiff fee to image my coins.

 

Oh well, I'm sure a lot of folks will enjoy the service!

 

Is NGC doing something similar?

 

James

 

Lets tackle your first point. A photo in the end can't have it all. I believe acurate is somewhat implied with " best image". They also are looking to create a beautiful picture. TDN just showed some of his beautiful photoproof coins. While the first set of images suitable for posting online seem to hide certain flaws the second pair of larger images shows it all. It's all a balancing act and they seem to be doing a good job.

 

"I guess this means I can use images of coins that don't belong to me? This seems weird..."

 

Well I don't think that is what they meant James. I think what they meant is there pictures are so accurate and so beautiful they can be used in an array of uses. These pictures look good in advertising as eye candy and can be used to sell the coin because they are so accurate. They are the swiss army knife of coin pictures. Now i'm not sure about the legal issues which is what you are talking about. However I don't think that is what they were implying.

 

Finally some folks just aren't good at imaging. Some may not want to invest the time and energy into coaxing the perfect picture out of there coins.

 

Now to answer your question NGC does offer imaging options. They have been doing this for a while. The first of these options is photo proof. link

 

NGC also offers an online imaging option which costs three dollars per coin. These pictures are suitable for online auctions.

 

The one upside to PCGS's option is it comes with two pictures. Truely one stop shoping. Of course if you want only pictures suitable for EBAY NGC has your ticket.

 

I wonder if anyone here has any photoproof pictures. For some reason I think hoot does but that might be because he was talking about photoproof a few week ago.

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