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rob6

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  5. Like
    rob6 got a reaction from jultorsk in 1953 Proof penny NGC graded   
    Looking for 1953 Proof penny NGC PF65 or above.
    If anyone looking to sell, please message me with grade and asking price.
    I have several 1953 graded denominations to sell or swap, contact me for details 
    Cheers
  6. Like
  7. Like
    rob6 reacted to richatthecroft in The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III 2023 UK 1/4oz Gold Proof   
    The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III 2023 UK 1/4oz Gold Proof 
    £810 posted SD


  8. Like
    rob6 got a reaction from Panda6Pack in ✨ KOMSCO Flagship - 2023 Chiwoo Premium Silver ...WOW!   
    2 Please, and a proof
    Cheers
  9. Like
    rob6 got a reaction from ST1986 in 2022 Memorial Full Sovereign NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo First Release   
    PM'd
  10. Super Like
    rob6 got a reaction from ChrisSilver in Help us reach our target + Prize Draw   
    #73
  11. Super Like
    rob6 reacted to Panda6Pack in ✨ Next From Coins Today   
    💥HOT OFF THE PRESS💥
    Coming soon. 
    First something brand new. A stacker with mind blowing detail. 
    🚩 2 oz Doggaebi Shield Stacker (Shield Stacker for short). Both sides look awesome. 
    Next, the continuing series 
    🚩 2021 Chiwoo Cheonwang
    🚩 2021 zi:sin Taurus 
    More images and prices coming soon in the Sales section. 
     
     

  12. Like
    rob6 reacted to Booky586 in Coin Photography   
    Thanks, I'm pleased with the results I've started to achieve. I'm using a Canon 60mm macro lens and it works well, but the focal length to coins any smaller than a half sovereign doesn't leave much room for the glass reflector to fit between lens and coin.
    I'd like to source a clamp similar to the attached image which would replace the frame holding the glass reflector. This gives flexibility to have diferent sized (and smaller) pieces of glass. Alternatively I'd have to upgrade to a bigger macro lens, and they don't come cheap!

  13. Like
    rob6 reacted to SemolinaPilchard in Coin Photography   
    @shawy2520
    Lawrence asked me a while ago to put together something to show how to take better images.  Every time I start something crops up and I get sidetracked.  I do intend to do it but may be a while
    For now here is an interview we did with DIYPhotography which explains axial lighting and at the bottom is the video from Gale Spring, I eventually found, when I was looking for a better way
    https://www.diyphotography.net/use-mirrors-get-perfect-axial-lighting-macro-subjects/
    Shawy - you don't NEED a support unit.  It's handy - but not essential.   Two pieces of wood screwed together would do same 
    I find that I angle the glass between circa 42degrees and 49degrees.  So one hand is still needed holding the glass to see which is best.  I frequently take a few anyway as viewing in Bridge/Photoshop shows more detail than the viewfinder anyway.   You can look through the viewfinder with modelling lamp on to show the effects of different angles the glass is placed at.
    The only constants are the base of the glass (the pivot point) needs to be perpendicular to the light source - and something dark on the right needs to absorb pass through light and hinder it bouncing back (and up)
    Hope this helps - feel free to ask any questions
    ...and yes...I know the glass in the pics on the interview is very mucky.   Whilst I am much more careful generally it actually doesn't matter 
    regards
    Doug
     
     
     
     

  14. Thanks
    rob6 reacted to LawrenceChard in Coin Photography   
    Axial Lighting
    Our "Head of Photography" (#1 in a department of 1), Doug Smith, didn't like our "heavy breathing" technique we used to use for reducing reflection, and improving the colour rendition of proof coins in particular, so he did some research online, and was pointed towards "axial lighting", which he (therefore we) now use for most of our coin photos.
    Doug made his own axial lighting stand, which worked well enough, but he then improved the design, and cut and assembled a new custom version.
    I have been asked quite a few times about it. We have shown photos of it on our website, and on my Flickr stream.
    I have always tried to help educate and inform anyone interested, about coins, other aspects of our business, and any other subject where I think I have knowledge or experience worth sharing.
    Doug is also similarly helpful.
    Unfortunately, he recently moved house, and as part of the move mismantled his laser cutting machine, otherwise he is happy to supply his axial lighting stands in kit form, the buyer just needs to source the glass locally. The good news is that he has ordered a CNC machine, which should be even better, but he is not expecting delivery until Christmas or New Year. I suspect it is his Christmas present to himself.
    Links to photos of the axial lighting stand and set-up are already provided earlier in this thread.
    A TSF member sent me a Private Message today "
    Hi Lawrence,
    Would you mind if I used the photo to ask people on here if they can build me 1 as Doug is too busy."
    I presume he was meaning this image: http://artiefarties.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/axialilluminationglasssupportstand.jpg which is Doug's image, not mine, but I guess that Doug will be quite happy for it to be used.
    There is also an online review of our set-up here: https://www.diyphotography.net/use-mirrors-get-perfect-axial-lighting-macro-subjects/
    I hope this helps.
    N.B. I would always prefer to receive questions in an open forum than via Private Message, unless it is of a particularly personal nature such as Rita Ora asking for a private viewing of my testoons. (Even then, I would be happy for her to post it in a public forum)
  15. Like
    rob6 reacted to DrKarlMoneys in Coin Photography   
    One thing I tried and actually had some success with is using a scanner. Especially for very reflective coins it means you don't have the distortion of having to take the photo from an angle. I've found it also picks up a lot of detail that shows just how much of a qualitative difference there is between bullion and proof coins, picking up things that aren't so easily visible to the naked eye.
  16. Like
    rob6 reacted to Arganto in Coin Photography   
    If you want to do any editing but don't want to pay for or appropriate Photoshop an open source program called 'The GIMP' is very good. It is as involved as Photoshop to use so not for the impatient...
  17. Thanks
    rob6 reacted to MickB in Coin Photography   
    Using my mobile phone I also use the aid of a bottle where I can balance a coin on top, which makes the focus better when holding the phone above for a shot. Using the screen as a viewfinder I can then move it to get the coin looking dead-on instead of slightly at an angle. Then I crop the shot. I find it better than laying a coin on a flat surface as my camera phone tends to want to focus on the surrounding surface as well, so by having the coin higher the surrounding area is out of focus. My mobile isn't great at close up shots but this way I get a better image.
  18. Like
    rob6 reacted to LawrenceChard in Coin Photography   
    Roman Gold Aureus of Nero - Obverse
    Portrait of Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) on obverse of Roman gold aureus.
    This is one of our oldest digital coin photos, taken 1st August 1999 with a Ricoh camera, resolution 640 x 480. I can't remember the model, possibly RDC1, it cost about $400 imported from the USA.
     
  19. Super Thanks
    rob6 reacted to LawrenceChard in Coin Photography   
    How to Photograph Coins  - A Very Quick First Draft
    I thought we had an advice or blog page on one our websites, but can't find it. There are some photos of our set-ups on Flickr, but nowhere do we have a complete guide, so I have just created a new project. I just shared the first rough draft, as below, with Doug, our photographer, and invited him to help.
    A guide to taking better photographs of coins. 
    It is possible to take good quality photos of coins without a large outlay on equipment, but to get the best results will require some investment on kit, such as camera, lenses, tripod, stand, lighting, photoshop or other editing software, and time. 
    Even with the best hardware and software in the world, it needs time and effort to learn how to use them to get the best results. Some trial and error will be involved. 
    Which camera? 
    For the best results, you will need a modern DSLR digital single lens reflex camera, which will require some investment, unless you already own one. 
    Most modern smart phones have very good cameras built in. Obviously, some are better than others, and the results will never be technically as good as a DSLR, but almost everybody owns one, carries it around with them, and they are compact, and highly portable. 
    Lighting 
    Good lighting is essential. Many people have their own preferences. It is probably true to say that there is no single “best” way. 
    Lenses 
    If you have a DSLR, then you need a specialised macro lens to get the best results. Some zoom lenses have a macro mode, which may work almost as well. Some mobiles now have close-up capabilities, perhaps combined with zoom. 
    Tripod, stand or support. 
    To minimise camera shake, and to ensure sharp accurate focusing, you will also need to have a tripod, copy stand, or some other form of support for the camera, and possibly for the coin, and the lighting. 
    Software 
    Photoshop is the graphic industry standard, is very powerful, but you may need a university degree in it to get the best results, and it isn’t cheap. Other photo editing software is available. It requires time and dedication to get the best from it. 
    General tips. 
    Try to get the camera and coin parallel to each other. This avoids making round coins oval, and helps to ensure sharp focus. It also helps to have the coin in approximately the correct rotation. Try to get the coin to fill the frame as nearly as possible. 
    A good background is plain white paper. Just lay the coin on it. Paper is cheap, replaceable and disposable. 
    When processing, our first job is to correct the rotation of the coin. Second is to crop the photo so the coin fills, or nearly fills, the frame. 
    After that, you can play around with lighting levels, balance, contrast, and colour settings. 
    We also rename an save the image at different stages, in case we want to make changes or further edits. 
    If your camera supports it, you might want to shoot RAW, as this gives the most flexibility for processing. 
    Retain the original images, and process steps, especially if you wish to retain your Intellectual Property Rights (copyright). 
     
  20. Thanks
    rob6 got a reaction from silversky in January 2021 Premium Member Prize Draw   
    Congratulations @silversky👍
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    rob6 got a reaction from ChrisSilver in January 2021 Premium Member Prize Draw   
    Congratulations @silversky👍
  22. Like
    rob6 reacted to ShropshireTom in The future of silver, VAT and import charges into the UK now a Deal has been done!?   
    Hello all,
    For everyone’s information and hopefully of some use:
    I ordered some 2020 1oz Libertads mid December from Germany, they were packaged and sent to DHL the same week (W/c 14th Dec). They were then held up and I had a note from DHL apologising for the delay which meant it didn’t move for the rest of that week. By W/c 21st nothing was moving because of the virus.
    Just had an email from Royal Mail today telling me it will likely incur a customs charge because of the value.
    I will be trying to reclaim as it was purchased in December and I can prove it. Thought I’d share as a flavour of things to come in the hood somebody finds the info useful.
  23. Like
    rob6 reacted to jonrms in Today I Received.....   
    A Special thanks to @RYAN05 for my fantastic Christmas gifts. Very suited to me, Have a fantastic Christmas to you and your family bud. 
    Jon
    AceBullion®️

  24. Super Thanks
    rob6 reacted to Yorkshiremanc in Today I Received.....   
    Many thanks to @rob6for my Christmas draw coins. Lovely pieces, and perhaps the start of a silver collection for me? 😁


  25. Haha
    rob6 reacted to kimchi in 🎅 2020 Christmas Prize Draws 🎅 Entry open worldwide   
    He said he's busy, and to send it to me please for safekeeping
     
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