ok here are some quick tips.
most (new) digital cameras will work, the photo I took was with a cheap canon powershot. about 200$
even know I have a large SLR with a macro lens and ring flash for my profession, that is overkill.(unless I need to see scratch lines for grading!)
the mega pixel on the camera was 6 MP, but MP is not key to getting a good photo. (a 3 MP will be fine, but about 5-6 is good enough, no need to higher) In fact the photo I posted I downsized the MP to make it smaller.
Lights and focus is the key.
make you you have the macro mode on (usually a little flower button or option on the camera) this will help you focus on the item when the camera is closer then about 2 feet.
there are so many photos I see on here that the focus is off, usually on the ground behind the coin and the hand and coin are out of focus. the macro mode will help this. also take photos on a flat surface , not in the hand if possible about about 90 degree angle will give good results.
don't have a direct light above the coin, usually about 60 degree from source so you get no reflection, but a super small shadow instead. just use a desk light will work fine, no need to purchase any expensive photo lights.
TURN OFF the flash! the flash will be very hard to get good results!
Sorry, but scanning coins or objects with a scanner will produce only fair results, a cheap digital camera is best.
Position the coins in the normal position!! make the coin with the date on the bottom and able to view.
DON'T OVER compress the image, yes I know this is the hard part, the forums only allow a 256k limit to size, so most coins will have to be resized. try to crop as much first instead of recompressing, but only recompress or save when it still too large. usually a mid-level JPEG compression will be fine, don't do low level or quality.
hope some of this helps.
Wirebender
Riverside, Redlands, CA
halfdime said:
Nice photo and find. I'd love to post nice pictures like that!
