Macro shots

[asterix]

Hi all,i mainly use my camera for taking macro shots,i recently brought a Canon Powershot A460 which is ideal for macro (i think).Two problems i have are lighting and the shakes...i've looked around for something suitable to hold the camera but not really sure what i need?All my shots are done on the desktop but need to be of reasonable quality as they're uploaded onto a public database.
Which brings me to the next question...what is the best form of lighting,at the moment i rely on the sun but thats been a bit hit and miss lately,and the light on the subject isn't very uniform...silver coins seem to be a problem as they tend to reflect the light....
Heres some of my pics (hopefully)

Thanks for any info...Dave

[Carrera_c]

For keeping the camera steady; instead of taking the photo's of the coins on the table, why not blue-tac them onto a white wall (or onto paper and then onto a wall). Then you'll be able to use a normal tri-pod to hold the camera steady.

And for the flash problem, this may or may not work. But sometimes I've used a CD to bounce the flash so it doesn't strike the object to much. Something like that may do the trick, you just tinker with the angle of the CD (or whatever reflective surface you have to hand) until you've got the right amount of light hitting it.

That's my two cents (get it, it's a coin related pun! )

[asterix]

cheers for the input CC...like the cd idea
Not so keen on the blutack idea tho...it would be ok for silver coins,but it could destroy the patina on many coins and artefacts...also some odd shapes and sizes to contend with,so i really need overhead shots.

[acrybb]

Have you seen the Joby gorilla flexible tripod you can make it grip on to things etc you can also make the camera point directly downwards from the normal tripod position its very handy, you have to wait a few secs for it to settle and stop shaking around (my camera works with remote control so that might be handy if yours does) i think the SLR one is about 20 quid and the wee one for compacts is 14 quid but you could try e-bay. For the lighting you wold probably be best to ask the experts but i did read somewhere that a UV Filter helps to reduce light reflection (i might be wrong but im sure you will be able to find out from someone)

Hope thats useful (probably not lol)
Andy

[asterix]

Hi Accryb,i did look at those bendy type tripods on ebay....might be worth my while buying one,at the moment i've got a mini tripod but it just wants to tip over all the time,or the legs end up in the shot:(x
Lighting seems to be the major issue,i would prefer to control all the light and set the camera up accordingly....
Thanks for the advice

[paulmag]

Buy a real tripod you should get when cheap enough of ebay if you don't want to spend a lot of money

and you can use an ice cream carton or similar to diffuse the light there is some info around to show how best to do it

[acrybb]

does the "real tripod" allow you to point your camera directly downwards without falling over like the guy said even at that a bendy tripod will be alot less espensive and more than adequate for what he is needing it for.....Also for lighting why dont you try force flash off and use a low light torch or well lit room also how close can your camera focus from mine can focus as close as 1cm so the lens shadows enough of the light to make sure it does not reflect off the coin but also allows enough light onto the coint to give a good detailed pic

[Rusty]

Asterix said: .....

Two problems i have are lighting and the shakes...

To solve both in one go..

Take a glass jar, the biggest you can get then get someone to cut off the bottom
you will now have a big glass cylinder,get the inside sandblasted
put the coin on the background centered inside the sandblasted cylinder
Shine any light against the outside of the cylinder, it will make the whole cylider glow with light with no shadow then do the shot handheld from above
try it ...works like a charm ...
ps: You can also make a steady for the cam that rests on the top rim of the jar, with a piece of wood or something else