Pics getting better?

[MunkyMan95]

Just took this picture with my dying digital camera. It looks a tad blurry, and I know you can see the camera in it, but what can you expect with large UCAM coins? Am I getting better?

 

[WaxonWaxov]

I think what you need is to..

 

1) Manually focus. The auto focus on your camera is wigging out due to the different focal points (surface of the coin, surface of the slab) plus it's probably too close for your autofocus.

 

2) your said "dying" when describing your camera. Your next camera needs to be able to use a macro lens (not a macro setting) and a polarizer filter. Polarizers are cool for getting rid of unwanted glare.

[MunkyMan95]

Both of the things you mentioned for my camera sound expensive... When I referenced dying, I was referring to the batteries

[WaxonWaxov]

what kinda camera are you using?

[MunkyMan95]

It's a Fuji FinePix A350

[MikeInFL]

Are you using a tripod?

[MunkyMan95]

Err... No, I'm not. Just kind of stand the camera wherever I can, and tilt the coin toward the camera.

[WaxonWaxov]

Err... No, I'm not. Just kind of stand the camera wherever I can, and tilt the coin toward the camera.

 

that's part of the problem.

 

You can get a tripod fairly cheap. There's also a product out there called an Ultrapod... a little tripod for desktop use.

 

Let me research your camera for a minute.

[MunkyMan95]

Ok!

[WaxonWaxov]

that camera looks like it will only do what it was equipped to do out of the box... not filters... no manual focus.

 

Try using a tripod.. that will help. Try using the auto-timer feature if it has one that way you push the button, pull your hand away, then the camera waits a couple seconds, then snaps the pic with your jiggling things about by pushing the button while the photo is captured.

[MunkyMan95]

Let me try the auto-timer real quick...

 

edited to add: No real help there. I guess with a tripod, it might do a little better.

[Stanley]

A few suggestions for you:

Experiment with using a backdrop of black or white. A large black book is what I use. I have a piece of black felt that I lay flat in front of the slab as to not get any glare on the coin.

Most of my images are taken a measured 5 to 7 inches from the lens. Of course with the micro setting on.

I don’t have a tripod, and I always set the camera down on something solid. Sometimes I have to shim the camera in position using another book.

If you tilt that Cameo slightly as to not show the reflection of your camera and hold a black book in a way for the cameo to reflect you should get a nice Cameo image.

Practice, Practice, Practice

 

And I always use my timer

[Brotherman]

If you can't use or afford a macro lens for your camera, then the macro setting is better than nothing. You can find an inexpensive tripod at Wal-Mart - I got mine a week ago for 15 bucks. The timer setting is also a great idea. I wonder why they don't make these with a little remote? I bet someone here has a digital camera that has a remote...

 

Hays

[Stanley]

My last one had a remote

[Brotherman]

I knew someone would.

 

Doesn’t it seem odd that they don’t make these for ALL digital cameras? The shutter release isn’t threaded so you can’t use the old cable release with these. EVERYTHING else comes with a remote these days…

 

Hays

[MikeInFL]

If your camera doesn't have a remote shutter release, using the timer (set it at a second or three) will work just as well -- just hit the button and immediately remove your finger from the shutter release....Mike

[Stanley]

Are you wearing a yellow shirt?

The reason I ask is you have to watch out for reflection from other objects in the room including your clothes.

[MunkyMan95]

You saw yellow in the picture? Not wearing yellow, but orange

[TomB]

Does anyone remember the ebay auction, from several years ago, where someone took a picture of a teapot (or some other highly reflective piece of kitchenware) and his reflection of himself in his underwear was caught in the image?

 

It was linked on the PCGS site and we had a good laugh.

[Stanley]

You saw yellow in the picture? Not wearing yellow, but orange

 

Red and orange is even worse

[Bruceswar]

Does anyone remember the ebay auction, from several years ago, where someone took a picture of a teapot (or some other highly reflective piece of kitchenware) and his reflection of himself in his underwear was caught in the image?

 

It was linked on the PCGS site and we had a good laugh.

 

Tom I know the pic you are speaking of and someone on my harddrive I believe I have it.... If so I will post it for a good laugh!