to creilly about help with pic taking

[walkingdude]

creilly,


"text taken from different area"

Dick I have spent more money then i will even mention looking for a way to take good pictures!! I have mastered IN RELIEF but still can not get a good picture of a FULL coin.

I haven't figured out the full coin either, close-ups are noproblem.


I bought a camera set up with the lights and white box and litghed panel.... Cant get it to work on coins. I have a microscope two eyed but hubby suggested NOT getting the one with the camera. UGH!! I have this new PC microscope but it is too close to get the whole coin.
Then of coirse my expensive camera that I cant figure out. I can take very good pictures of my thumbs though.

How about taking a picture of your set-up and camera and post it here maybe we can help. I personally use a Kodak easyshare z700, I put the lens on telephoto, in macro or up close mode and shoot the picture throught the right lens of my micoscope at 30x, I con't get the whole coin but usally I only want a certain part.

I almost always break down laughing after spending 3 hours to get a decent picture of 1 coin and then find out its machine doubling or I was seeing thing......

I usally cry.

[coop]

With certain powers of microscopes you can't get images of the whole obverse(10X30 or 20X40). With others like the non fixed zoom you can take images of the obverse of Dimes, Cents and Nickels.(7.5X-35X) I thought an idea that might work, but it would involve getting new eyepieces for the scope. Mine are 10X on the eyepiece. If I could get a 5X, then I would probably able to get a few more denominations that way under the scope.
But I designed another way to take images that I'm still not real happy with, but I do get good results with my setup. It involves using a ramp, a small light source and a totally dark room. Something I've noticed on my camera is that you can get too close to the coin and the focus maybe off(1-2" area), but hold back to about 3" you get a clearer shot that does focus. It not that you can't take images that close, they are just cleaner a little bit farther out. The light set up is different as you have the light at 12:00, reverse the angle of the ramp 180 degrees (As you are going to make now you focal point above the 6:00 area about 3" up and not straight above like a regular scope shot) Then get in the 3" range and hold still and shoot. Works pretty good, but haven't tried my newer light set up yet. I always figured if there was a better way of getting images, I just haven't thought enought to get what I have to work better than it was the last shot. So always experiment. It will give you the results you want in the end if you just keep....trying.

[Dick]

Mike, Catherne? I wonder which type pc microscope you mean?? the "stingray", which is little more than junk, or the Digital Blue? I have both,and have taken photos with both. Neither do the job, other than letting you identify the coin. I also have the QSZ Di-optor, (6.7-45), and 10X eye pieces. I also use a small cam-corder with 40X optical, and 800X digital. Just discovered I can take snaps with it. Photos are 720x240, an are very "skinny. My camera will not work with windows XP, so I am building a new setup for photography. It will function, one of these days. My camera(s) are a mix of cameras that I couldn't goive you any tech info, but they take digital photos. I carry one on my belt. I used to use an older cam-corder, full size vhs tape load, and the telephoto lens from mybig color camera. I could see the fleas on a gnats back. Makes small diecracks look like Grand Canyon! Now the small, modern camcorder does the job. The photos are sent to the computer. All have been horrible! More work necessary.
Coop, you mentioned a ramp. What angle do you recommend? I, too use a ramp, and a pivot witha holder for the coin size needed, so it can be rotated. Sur works great for looking at ABE, at any angle. I am too close, in all instances, even when I pull away with the scope, and take a photo, id shows just a small area, or the whole thing, but w/o the details. Another setup I use is a 10X loupe, and a movable base for the coin (pivot) hplder, and the loupe is adjustable, so as to get a shot. The view is nice, but the camera is incompatible with winXP! You guys don't want a shot of this mess! You would roll all over the floor laughing! But, if it would help, maybe I'll consider it. Dick

[coop]

Dick: It doesn't have to be steep as it make the coin turn from round into an oval. But I use one for the standard setup, and add three coins under the side next to me to take images of full shots of Dimes, Cents and Nickels. This distributes the light more evenly and with the coins you can adjust till you get the angle you want for full shot by adding/subtracting coins till you get just what you want. Here is an example of the setup. I use a different light system now, but the set up and location of the light is the same and a ramp is under the scope.




The only difference between this setup and the one I use now is I got rid of the fiber light and use a light that fits into the coin tube. Adjustable to get what you want, or I can dial down the amperage on proof coins it I desire or tilt the light to get the right amount. Circulated coins seem to be too dark, So I'm always looking to improve, but I don't take images of uncirculated coins that much.
Here is an example of what I get when adding three Cents under the ramp on the 6:00 edge of the ramp.

Looks like I should have placed one more to get the bottom half a little lighter. The ramp is just a 2X2 with a small piece of cardboard 2" x 1/4'' Added to the open edge. I place dark material and staple it to the 2X2 upper 1/2 and use tape to close in the 2X2 open edge with on the cardboard insert. and place a square half dollar lid on the bottom. Any lid that is at least 2" could work. It closer to the edge you can get the better as it keeps the ramp from tipping over.

[Dick]

Coop, you asked for it, now suffer! http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/livingdinasaur/DICKS-LAB006.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/livingdinasaur/DICKS-LAB008.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/livingdinasaur/DICKS-LAB005.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/livingdinasaur/DICKS-LAB004.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/livingdinasaur/DICKS-LAB003.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/livingdinasaur/DICKS-LAB001.jpg
006,coin support,
008, picked someones brain
005, camera, out of posit.
004, cam-corder, with lens
003, My ramp
001, my QSZ
Dick

[coop]

Dick: You setup is 180 Degrees opposite my setup. So you would use the light at 6:00 and the Ramp at 12:00.(Viewing from your eyepieces) Looks like mine is too simple.
Some images didn't load, but I'm sure you will fix them later. Looks like a movies studio. But what ever works. Its always nice to see what others use to compare notes or share ideas.

[Dick]

Coop, when you said some images didn't show, I went to see why, and all links came up for me..It is a case of, if the $$$ is not there, then one must improvise. That is what I do best! Sometimes, I have to sit and think about what I need to do this, or that, and then just drop it, and go about my "business". It isn't long before an idea "pops up", and I start making saw-dust. I use a small bedroom for my Coins, Computers, Cabinets, (file type), and second "frodge". Mixed in with all the rest is my satellite system. The little box in the photo of "picked some ones brain", is another idea, that is actually the off-shoot of the "box" I made, (prototype), for my coins. Later I made one for my younger son. The only problem with the box, is it is big, and heavy, so something had to be done. Each small box has three sections, and is the equivalant of one row, in the big box. Other boxes hold Proof sets, or Mint sets. Rolls are kept in the boxes they come in. Crude, bujt effective. You mentioned , my setup is 180 degrees from yours. Yes, I didn't like the light in my face, so it got swapped. The "ramp", and slide, with pivot works fine, but. I have to slide the base right, or left, to adjust the part I want to examine. I'm working on that detail, too.
Dick

[Dick]

Coop, I thought it would be easier (for me) to just use links. (that way the Forum wouldn't lose too many menbers). I think CD was the one that described two pieces of ash, that had "flutes", and held 26 cents. I didn't follow all that was said, because it apparently was a comment to another post. Anyway, I tried to find out what it might do for me. It takes a while to "load the "rack", but it will unload in a split second! Easy to check the other side, too. I was going to comment on the ascope part of the photography. I don't get photos thru the eyepiece, to come out worth a hoot. I use the camcorder, ( which, after a year, discovered it will take a snapshot)! It is displayed on the monitor, and/or TV screen. The 'corder has 40X optical, Macro, and 800X Digital. I use either the stand alone zoom lens shown, or the adjustable lens from a slide projector, (in place, in photos) The computer allows me to keep the photo, and at the same time, make any adjustments to the image, BUT. I can't (yet) figure out how to change the ratio of the image. maybe in photobucket, there might be a way of cropping.

[coop]

Can you save image you take? You might try editing with a Photo program or got to Photoshop to edit image size, Color, Adjust sharpness, Lighten, darken, Grayscale, make image stacks of several images on one image, add arrows, add description, do overlays ETC..... You can do so much with the program if you are willing to experiment or read how to books.

[Dick]

Hi Coop, Yes I can save any image. I have the application that came with each camera, and I have tried to change the different aspects of the image, but. I can't get the color, for example to "change" to what I want. I don't understand the Mixing color technique, and they come out HORRIBLE! I think I have "too many irons in the fire", and should set a bunch of them aside , and learn how to do X, then Y, them Z. I am too impatient! I found an old Adobe Photoshop V 2.5 on four floppies. I am going to install and work with it until I know what I am doing! Mean time, I am still learning things about my current equipment. ( A warehouse full of toys is like not having a thing, IF one does not know how to use it!). That is what I am doing now. Sooner, or later my photos will be acceptable, even to me.
Dick

[coop]

Dick: There is a lot of information in this area on different subjects on Photoshop. Practicaly everything is covered, but if you have any problems, ask questions here as other members maybe experiencing the same problems or NEW readers will appreciate more information on "how to" covered items on this subject.

[Dick]

Coop, I am still trying various things, to try and get a better photo to post. One of the things I discovered, tonight was that I can remove the eye piece, (10X), and focus the camcorder in the tube, and , it gets a pretty good shot, but not real sharp, like I would want. At least it does get the photos into the computer, where I can crop, etc. I still haven't figured out where, and how to put the text on the photos, and the arrows to indicate the point of interest. I guess it will show itself when I am a bit more learned in this art! This is a whole new field of endeavor, and it will take a bit of "catching up". Just a matter of time, and I have plenty of that. I'll "holler" when I get into "trouble". That will be when I try to change the "color" to a more natural color. No doubt!
Dick

[creilly]

Hi Guys,
Miss me..? I have been lost in Christmas shopping..... Wheeeeeee

I have the following set up....
FugiFilm Finepix S5200
I just got the zoom lens set up with +1 +2 +4 and macros and that has helped a bunch
a cool hand held web came with zoom and under belly lights. Super close up!!
Then I have the scope with WFX10 eye pieces.
I have Adobe 6 photo shop and I hate it and dont use it at all. Which I would be willing to share with anyone who would like to use it. Its GOV and unlimited registars, my Hubby has to have it on every computer he has access to. I usually use print screen to crop my photo.. makes the file size a lot smaller too. Then I use paint to add text or arrows or circles and such if needed.
I dont mess with the color because I alway make it look like its melting or something. The 68S and the morgan I took with the new close up lenses.. the other penny is through the scope with out the close up lens cus I get the fisheye look if I use it and the morgan double ear I took with the hand held webcam.