Relichunter2 Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 I am sure many of you have a great collection of gold nuggets and specimens....has anyone entered the world of macro mineral photography? I have been cruising the net and have seen some awesome pictures of specimen gold and wonder how they do it. I a m sure with the talent pool on this forum someone may want to share some knowledge as far as equipment ( cameras, lighting and technique on photographing gold nuggets and specimens in particular. If you would like to share it with us, many including myself would appreciate it.Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homefire Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Natrual light behind your back is good. If Not Multi light sources from two sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azblackbird Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Start hereThen build yourself one of these 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoser John Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) Nikon Coolpix rocks. Goor for underwater and dropping is also covered. Do movies or exacting micro. Just look at thread called Tracked below and see the details. A circular light or a 4 bulb light(ceiling fan style) provides great coverage in the lighting area. I have a small tripod that really helps also. John Edited August 10, 2014 by Hoser John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relichunter2 Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) John, HomefireI checked out that Nikon...looks like the way to go. The rest is lighting..and tripod and a heavy bench to prevent vibration and a lot of experimenting with lights. Azblackbird....great link ! thanks as it gave me some ideas.... Edited August 10, 2014 by Relichunter2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reno Chris Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Get a decent camera that will take close ups. Most of the really blurry, bad photos you see posted are taken with cell phone cameras and they are just not made for that kind of close up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoJack Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 I have a 1x - 3x microscope and just take one rubber eye piece off and put my digital camera up to it. You need to play with the F stop settings to get the lighting right. Not perfect, but gets the job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relichunter2 Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 (edited) Chris, I have been reading some great stuff from John Betts Minerals and also from Scovil who has a great reputation in this type of photography. As you say the camera is extremely important, I am going to buy a good digital camera like the one John mentioned Nikon Coolpix and build the set first and experiment with the lighting on black glass as background. Than just experiment with lighting angles and shoot. GeoJack, I thought of those microscope type cameras also, looks like it would work very well for those small specimens ....I have seen your photos on you site, they look very good. As I get more experience, I can upgrade to a better camera.Fred Edited August 11, 2014 by Relichunter2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDdesertman Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 A good camera with a detachable macro lens. The rest is mostly just experimentation and getting the digital settings right... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relichunter2 Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 IDdesertman,It looks like a good camera is the way to go...I am looking at the Canon ES 450d with a Canon EF-S60mm Macro lens..... The rest will be a custom made box for shooting the minerals...and a piece of glass sprayed black on one side to get a nice black background void of dust and smudges. It appears cool white 11 watt flourecent lamps are the way to go with top and side illumination and some diffusers to get the lighting just right..and of course a tripod or a drill press mount for no vibration and still photography. So that's my plan....now the time to get all this together... when I do....I will post some thumbnail size mineral specimens on the forum. Thanks for all your ideas and help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoJack Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Look at some ldpe sheet material for a light refused. Cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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