Photographing a Navy Luger

Norme · 01-04-2022, 01:12 PM

There have been countless posts on this forum dealing with stripping, cleaning and lubricating a newly acquired Luger, but little mention has been made that this is the perfect opportunity to take detail photos of both the exterior and the interior. These photos can be referred to in the future, rather than the gun itself, which cuts down on handling, always a good thing with a collectible gun.
Here are the photos I took of 1916 Navy #4064, my first Navy Luger.

sdmark777 · 01-04-2022, 01:19 PM

Sweet Navy! Thanks for sharing. Nice pics as well.

m1903a3 · 01-04-2022, 01:21 PM

Great photos of an outstanding P.04

How about a tutorial so the rest of us can improve the quality of our photos?

Norme · 01-04-2022, 01:29 PM

Six more.

Norme · 01-04-2022, 01:49 PM

Seven more. The internal first two digits of the serial, stamped inside the lower lip of the side-plate are particularly difficult to photograph!

Norme · 01-04-2022, 01:57 PM

And lastly, grips and non matching magazine.
Norm

Edward Tinker · 01-04-2022, 02:26 PM

Norm, very good idea, I have found that I take fast, easy pictures anymore, and that just doesn't cut it.
I need to set up an area and digitally take a picture of everything (I did it last year and keep it backed up on my phone, along with serial numbers and info)

Ed

tharpo · 01-04-2022, 03:45 PM

Great photography!!

Ray · 01-05-2022, 09:40 PM

Norm, do you use a light box when you take the picture? No shadows, all areas illuminated, perfect focus, very nice
ray

jeb111 · 01-07-2022, 10:29 AM

Great way to document the pieces in a collection. Those are serious professional grade pictures of a Navy Luger that would turn any Luger collector green with envy! Appreciate you sharing.
Jim

Norme · 01-07-2022, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Norm, do you use a light box when you take the picture? No shadows, all areas illuminated, perfect focus, very nice
ray

Hi Ray,
I may start a thread on gun photography if there's sufficient demand, but basically a white background, which is my preference (and also the preference of the major auction houses and Legacy as well), is only possible with a camera that permits full manual adjustment, a cell phone just doesn't cut it. So speak up if you're interested.
Norm

Mac Cat · 01-07-2022, 09:16 PM

Norm,

Please DO share your photography techniques and details.

mrerick · 01-08-2022, 11:30 AM

I'm interested in your exposure compensation settings.

ithacaartist · 01-08-2022, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

...basically a white background...

"15% grey" paper used by photographers for backgrounds and cycloramas seems most friendly to obtaining good exposures, particularly when the camera is set to adjust exposure automatically.

The stuff comes on 8' long rolls, but a pro may be able to set you up (as one did for me) with a remnant roll or pieces of it that are reasonably-sized for documenting guns. He also gave me some remnants in black and white.

m1903a3 · 01-08-2022, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Ray,
I may start a thread on gun photography if there's sufficient demand, but basically a white background, which is my preference (and also the preference of the major auction houses and Legacy as well), is only possible with a camera that permits full manual adjustment, a cell phone just doesn't cut it. So speak up if you're interested.
Norm

I'm definitely interesting in your equipment, setup (lighting etc.) and any hints and techniques.

Please!!

01-04-2022, 01:12 PM	#1
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,605 Times in 933 Posts	Photographing a Navy Luger There have been countless posts on this forum dealing with stripping, cleaning and lubricating a newly acquired Luger, but little mention has been made that this is the perfect opportunity to take detail photos of both the exterior and the interior. These photos can be referred to in the future, rather than the gun itself, which cuts down on handling, always a good thing with a collectible gun. Here are the photos I took of 1916 Navy #4064, my first Navy Luger. Attached Thumbnails

01-04-2022, 01:21 PM	#3
m1903a3 User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 198 Thanks: 26 Thanked 316 Times in 112 Posts	Great photos of an outstanding P.04 How about a tutorial so the rest of us can improve the quality of our photos? __________________ - Mike Life member: NRA, OVMS, VGCA Member: NAPCA, N-SSA(Veteran) Si vis pacem, para bellum

01-04-2022, 01:49 PM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,605 Times in 933 Posts	Seven more. The internal first two digits of the serial, stamped inside the lower lip of the side-plate are particularly difficult to photograph! Attached Thumbnails

01-04-2022, 01:57 PM	#6
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,605 Times in 933 Posts	And lastly, grips and non matching magazine. Norm Attached Thumbnails

01-05-2022, 09:40 PM	#9
Ray Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 127 Thanks: 2 Thanked 37 Times in 16 Posts	luger photography Norm, do you use a light box when you take the picture? No shadows, all areas illuminated, perfect focus, very nice ray

01-04-2022, 01:19 PM	#2
sdmark777 User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 288 Thanks: 698 Thanked 678 Times in 175 Posts	Sweet Navy! Thanks for sharing. Nice pics as well.

01-04-2022, 01:29 PM	#4
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,605 Times in 933 Posts	Six more. Attached Thumbnails

01-04-2022, 02:26 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,941 Thanks: 2,039 Thanked 4,547 Times in 2,100 Posts	Norm, very good idea, I have found that I take fast, easy pictures anymore, and that just doesn't cut it. I need to set up an area and digitally take a picture of everything (I did it last year and keep it backed up on my phone, along with serial numbers and info) Ed

01-04-2022, 03:45 PM	#8
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 116 Thanked 382 Times in 157 Posts	Great photography!!

01-07-2022, 10:29 AM	#10
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 712 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Great way to document the pieces in a collection. Those are serious professional grade pictures of a Navy Luger that would turn any Luger collector green with envy! Appreciate you sharing. Jim

01-07-2022, 09:16 PM	#12
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 735 Thanks: 2,103 Thanked 614 Times in 331 Posts	Norm, Please DO share your photography techniques and details.

01-08-2022, 11:30 AM	#13
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	I'm interested in your exposure compensation settings. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.