Picture help please…

[WinstonWare]

So I’m trying to use my new copystand. My pictures are better but still not where I want them to be. I’m using a little cannon powershot camera and GE reveal bulbs. I’m not sure why my silver coins are appearing gold. Does anyone have any advice? Do I need better bulbs? Do I need a better camera? Any thoughts/insight appreciated!

 

Thanks, Winston

[MunkyMan95]

I think it might be the bulbs. In certain rooms of my house, under different lights, the proof coins look a lot like that. I tend to like the color, but not for cameo blast white proof coins.

 

Nice image, by the way!

[Amanda]

You have to set the white balance.

 

It works different for every camera. Your manual should be able to tell you.

 

-Amanda

[zrlevin]

Definately set a custom white balence. It made all the difference in my pictures.

[TomB]

I didn't know they made those in bronze...

[TJ'S Coins]

They look orange on my monitor - I thought it was for Halloween

[WinstonWare]

I didn't know they made those in bronze...

 

Such a

 

Alright thanks everyone except for Tom. I'll try to fix the white balance on the camera.

[pendragon1998]

Also try moving the lights and possibly move the camera back to avoid reflections in the mirrored field. And fix your white balance.

[WinstonWare]

I think I fixed the white balance although I may need more practice with it. I’m using the macro feature on my little camera – is that about as sharp as it’s gonna get? Any other helpful thoughts welcome

 

[TomB]

Is that the matching coin to the bronze one you showed earlier?

[Amanda]

Yes, the white balance is a lot better. As far as clarity goes, you could try messing with the camera's settings for aperture and shutter speed and ASA.

 

I use 200 ASA and the smallest aperture (5.8) I can get and I adjust the shutter speed with how the light is portaying the coin. A slower shutter speed will get a less grainy image.

 

Hope this helps rather than confuses.

 

-Amanda

 

Edited to fix aperture mistake...

[WinstonWare]

Is that the matching coin to the bronze one you showed earlier?

 

I repeat - such a But, that's why I like you

 

So do you have anything constructive to add? Do you think that’s as sharp as I can get w/o an SLR?

[zrlevin]

Are you using a remote timer for the shutter?

[WinstonWare]

10 second timer, but it's not a remote. I just push the button and stand away

[zrlevin]

Close enough!

 

The only other thing I could recommend is to turn off ceiling fans and close windows, and make sure you have your stand on a stable base.

[TomB]

You may want to put the bronze coin next to the silver coin, from the pair you imaged, just to show how they differ in color.

[MunkyMan95]

 

[WinstonWare]

I didn’t even notice that I put the Icelandic obverse with the American reverse on that…um…”top” image.

[MunkyMan95]

You mean, the bronze coin?

[TomB]

Seriously, one thing you may want to do is check that the plane of the coin and plane of the camera lens are level with one another. This will help maintain sharper focus.

[Amanda]

Do you think that’s as sharp as I can get w/o an SLR?

 

I don't have an SLR, and experimenting with the settings I mentioned above could provide crisper results.

 

-Amanda

[zrlevin]

I dunno, Amanda, I have a DSLR and your photos are as good as mine! I stop down the aperture as far as it will go (f/36) and use a longer exposure (usually 1/6 - 1/15 sec). I think it brings out subtle colors better.

[Amanda]

I dunno, Amanda, I have a DSLR and your photos are as good as mine! I stop down the aperture as far as it will go (f/36) and use a longer exposure (usually 1/6 - 1/15 sec). I think it brings out subtle colors better.

 

Thanks, Zach.

 

36 is a pretty high aperture! On my digicam, I only have a choice between 5.6 and 2.8. (My post above is in error! )

 

I think I am going to go experiment with exposure times, I usually use from 1/60 to 1/125.

 

-Amanda

[pendragon1998]

The smallest aperature you can get (larger f number) will ensure that you get the largest depth of field possible. You need to balance that with the shutter speed (generally speeds upwards of 1/80 sec yield the best results) and the ISO or ASA (depending on film or digital cameras, the smaller the number the less 'grainy' the photo).

 

For my own photography, I try and keep it upwards of f/10, upwards of 1/80 sec, and ASA no more than 200.

 

My camera is on a sturdy tripod with the lower leg segments removed to make it short. It's on a desk near my computer. My personal problem is that my focus tends to be slightly soft, no matter what I do. I've come to the conclusion that it's a lens issue. I use a variable zoom lens and what I need to get sharper pics is probably a dedicated macro lens.

[WinstonWare]

Thanks again folks. Lots of good suggestions here for me to try out.

[WinstonWare]

Here is the American coin if anyone was interested. I took it at the same time I took the Icelandic photos i.e. it is not my next attempt that will incorporate the suggestions that you all have given.

 

[pendragon1998]

Oh, and a nice shot of canned air will take care of that lint problem you're having. Give the slab a gentle wipe with a nice clean microfibre cloth while you're at it.

[Amanda]

Try taking the pictures with the coins on a black background, the contrast between the devices and fields should go up.

 

-Amanda

[pendragon1998]

Amanda, that's only an issue when you rely on the camera's auto exposure calculator to determine the aperature and shutter speed. If you work with the camera in manual mode, you can shoot on any colored surface and while the surface might seem incorrectly exposed, the coin won't be. You'll be cropping out the coin anyway. Manual exposure gives you much more control of your results (and consistency). I usually let the camera do a read using auto exposure/speed to get a baseline, and then go manual and work out from the initial 'guess' made by the camera as to the correct settings.

[Bruceswar]

I usally use a white napkin the color of the background really does not matter if you ask me. Its more the lighting if you ask me. Also know how to work with your camera makes a world of differnce.