Lighting setup from Ritz camera

rollmeupabe · Veteran Member

Something I have been thinking about getting is a better lighting setup for taking pictures of my coins. I was always shocked at how expensive they were but I saw this advertized by Ritz Camera.

http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=13280805&bct=t1004%3Bc1014%3Bc13000966%3Bc13018503

Does anyone have this setup? How did it work out?

rollmeupabe · Veteran Member

Just an update. Santa left one of these under the tree for me. It is a great set up for anyone without the mechanical skills to make something similar. It packs away in a neat carry case and sets up in a flash. Based on similar items I have looked at in the past the $100 price was a good buy. Now I have to find the time to start taking some pictures.

Bob P · Site Admin

I am interested in seeing what kind of pics you can take with that setup. Post some pics when you finally get the time to do so.

coop · Expert Member

Please take some with your old lighting and the same shot with the new lighting. It would be interesting to see them side by side, if you have the old light system.

rollmeupabe · Veteran Member

Here is my attempt to show comparisons of pictures using the microscope light on my scope vs. using the new light box from Ritz Camera. Still some work needed but a good start. The first picture is with the microscope light. The second is with the light box.

For others go to http://mysite.verizon.net/vzephohw/id22.html

pennyhound · Veteran Member

Starting to get there ... see the flow lines now. (starting to appear) Stay with it ... it's getting there. Wink

coppercoins · Site Admin

If you can move the light closer to being above the coin and eliminate all but one source of light, you'll have it. More than one source of light is not good, and having the sides of the devices lit is also not good.

coop · Expert Member

Your images look like you are using the "Solarize" feature on your camera? Just a regular setting on your camera and high amount of Pixles will help your images. The light on the left side of the 19 on date and mintmark seems light you are getting a secondary light from that angle, or you are turning you coin having the left side of the numbers/mintmark receiving the most light. A couple of things you might try if the secondary light is the problem is to place a tissue/bondpaper/cardboard between the problem light source and your microscope. This will block/difuse the unwanted light source. If you are using a ramp you might try making one with a lower angle to let the light shine on the field/numbers/mintmark. If the angle is too steep, then it illuminates just the highest areas. Also having the position the of the light is important. Looking at your scope the position the light should be at 12:00 with the light as close to the coin as possible without being seen in your scope. I usually angle the ramp with the thickest side at 6:00. If you need to turn the coin, rotate the coin, but keep the ramp with the highest edge at 6:00. If you change the direction of the ramp, you get darker images as the light bounces off the coin on the ramp then into the scope. At any other clock position of the ramp the light doesn't angle into the lens of the scope. On my scope I used a coat hanger and a milky/frosted quarter coin tube to make a holder for my light source. When I tossed the microscope light souce (Did that the first day I got my scope) it left a couple of areas with bolt holes on them. I taped them out to fit a couple of bolts that I had and that is my holder for my light source. I've inserted a Black tape covered 1/2 of a cent tube (Cut long ways) and fitting into the quarter tube. This stops upperward light from the light source. So what ever you decide to do on your lighting system, keep in mind that you might have to experiment to get the light you want. Eventually you will make your light source work after several images and adjusting and trying new things. Keep what works and try to improve and remember what don't and see why it doesn't and what can be done to remedy the problem. I've changed several times to get the light that works for me and plan on changing things again to get the desired setting that I want. I've used different light setting/setups/types of light. You never know what you need maybe right there in front of you, so keep trying......

BobA · New Member

This setup I saw looked interesting for full size shoots. Also had some good tips.
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/coin_photography.htm

Bob P · Site Admin

There is some pretty good information there BobA. Of course, the best way is to practice, practice, practice until you get the desired results. Some of us use fiber optic lighting while others use flourescent. Find out what works for you and fine tune it until you like what you get. Either way, some nice info there. Thanks for posting the link.

BobA · New Member

Always looking for more options for different working conditions. I have been using the fiber optic lighting, and have since added the quarter coin tube method. That is ready a nice soft light filter with not much color correction needed. The price is right too.