Coin Photography-SLR Camera













Basic Equipment | Film | Camera basics | Macro (full coin) photos | Micro photographs | Slides | Adding magnification | Other tips





By J.T. Stanton








































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Coin photography is becoming more and more an integral part of the hobby. Without photographs of coins, the hobby, as we know it today, would be far less advanced, far less interesting, and certainly less enjoyable.

Many collectors would like to photograph their own collections, but many feel the process is too complicated. Granted, photographing small discs of metal that reflect light so easily is not as simple as taking a snapshot, but the process does not have to be difficult or drain the pocket.

There are several coin photographers in the country who are excellent. Their work is professional. Generally speaking, these individuals spend their entire workdays (and more) photographing coins. If you expect to become as proficient as they are in just a short time, think again. If you want to take coin photographs adequate for publication and archive, then, with a little patience and moderate expense, you will achieve your goal.

In this article I will attempt to give you the benefit of my experience and expertise gained during the last 15 years.

To begin, you must decide what type of coin photographs you're interested in taking. Micro photos or macro photos? The difference is much greater than it may sound. Are you interested in color or black & white? Or maybe both? How much money are you willing to spend? How much time for
practice are you willing to sacrifice? These are questions only you can answer.

I'll start with a small list of basic equipment. The equipment is the second most important ingredient.
You are the most important ingredient.