How to Use Your Halumin™ C

This is your first stop on the journey to better coin photography lighting. This page will show you how to setup and start using your Halumin™ C with a curated selection of tutorials.

Mastering Coin Photography with Your Halumin™ C: A Comprehensive Guide

Dust Removal on the Halumin™C

White Balance For Your Coin Photography

What is Halumin™ C?

Halumin C is a specialized imaging device designed for high-quality photography and inspection of small objects, such as coins or small artifacts, using an open cylindrical™ lighting system. It features a compact setup with a base, tower, and articulating halo ring for precise lighting control. Key components include:

Control Panel: Manages power and lighting intensity via sliders for field/tower light (Slider 1), left halo (Slider 2), and right halo (Slider 3), with an on/off switch and power port (12-15V, 1A).
Staging Area: Where subjects are placed, with adjustable or coin slab pedestals for optimal positioning within the halo’s light.
Viewing Cover: Optional cover with a viewing window for top-down imaging, enabling field light and reducing external light interference.
Lighting Modes: Field Mode (flat, even lighting), Inspection Mode (detailed examination with tilt adjustments), and Beauty Mode (customizable for aesthetic shots).

The device supports mobile device cameras, coin microscopes and traditional digital cameras, allowing users to capture studio-quality images by adjusting sliders, halo tilt, and camera settings (e.g., focus, exposure). It can be used with or without the viewing cover, depending on desired control over lighting and viewing angles.

What’s in the Box

Base and Tower
Viewing Cover
AC Power Supply (12-15V, 1A)
Coin Pedestal
Slab Pedestal

Useful Third Party Accessories

There are so many items that can make your Halumin™ C expereince even better, but we can’t make everything. Below are some useful third party accessories that we have tested and recommend. These are affiliate links and we do get a small commission on each sale.

For Battery Operation:

USB C to Barrel Jack Cable: https://amzn.to/3TCMTGk

12V Power Bank: https://amzn.to/4eIcl6Q

Other Accessories:

Dust Blower: https://amzn.to/4oiCZrj

Top Window Scratch Protector: https://amzn.to/4odE4QH

Torx Screwdriver: https://amzn.to/4pKJ68w

Gray Card Set: https://amzn.to/42387lg

ProCamera App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/procamera-professional-camera/id694647259

Key Components

Control Panel

Slider 1 Tower Light: Field mode (Viewing Cover on), Ambient mode (Viewing Cover Off).
Slider 2: Adjusts brightness of the left half of the Halo.
Slider 3: Adjusts brightness of the right half of the Halo.
On/Off Switch: You can figure this out 😉
Power Port: Accepts 12-15V, 1A power supply (do not exceed to avoid damage or fire risk).
Current Light: Indicates voltage status (Red: <12V, low voltage; Green: ≥12V, optimal).

Staging Area

Halo: Articulating ring providing cylindrical lighting around the subject.
Tilt Control: Knob to adjust Halo angle for varied lighting effects.
Tower Light Panel: Acts as Field Light with Viewing Cover on or soft side illumination with cover off.
Pedestal Port: Compatible with Coin Pedestal (for individual coins) or Slab Pedestal (for slabbed coins).
Adjustable Pedestal: Twist top clockwise (CW) to lower or counterclockwise (CCW) to raise, aligning subjects optimally.

Viewing Cover

Mounts over the staging area for controlled top-down imaging, minimizing external light interference.

Viewing Window: Align mobile device camera lens here for photography.

Setup

Connect the AC adapter to the power port (verify Current Light is green).
Turn the power switch to “On.”
Set Sliders 1-3 to 0.
Set Halo tilt knob to 0 (neutral position).
Insert the appropriate pedestal:
Coin Pedestal: For individual, unmounted items like coins.
Slab Pedestal: For slab-mounted items.
Place the subject on the pedestal, aligning it as if viewed from the control panel side.
Adjustable Pedestal:
Place the subject on the pedestal, aligning it as if viewed from the control panel side. Adjust pedestal height (twist CCW to raise, CW to lower) so the subject’s top is just above the Halo’s bottom edge. Experiment for optimal positioning.

Imaging Options

The Halumin™ C supports two imaging modes: with or without the Viewing Cover, each offering distinct lighting control and flexibility.

With Viewing Cover

Purpose: Controlled lighting, reduced reflections, and top-down imaging with Field Light option.

Setup:

Place the Viewing Cover over the staging area.
Set Sliders 2-3 to 4 for initial Halo lighting.
Open your mobile device’s camera app and position the phone on the cover, aligning the lens with the viewing window.
Use camera zoom to adjust subject size on the screen.
Lock focus and exposure by pressing and holding the subject on the screen (disable macro or portrait modes).
If the image is too bright, adjust exposure:
iPhone: Slide finger down on the screen.
Android: Use camera app exposure settings.
Set Sliders 2-3 to 0 (screen should go black), preparing for lighting adjustments.

Lighting Modes:

Field Mode: Set Slider 1 to 5, Sliders 2-3 to 0. Produces flat, even light on the subject’s face with dark highlights on raised surfaces, ideal for coin faces.
Inspection Mode: Set Slider 1 to 0, Sliders 2-3 to 4, tilt knob to 0. Slowly adjust tilt knob back and forth to inspect subject details dynamically.
Beauty Mode: Tilt Halo fully CCW (max tilt). Set Slider 2 to 2, Slider 3 to 4 or higher, and adjust Slider 1 for desired brightness. Experiment with settings for aesthetic results tailored to your preference.

Without Viewing Cover

Purpose: Flexible viewing angles, macro detail shots, and close-up photography with external light influence.

Setup:

Remove the Viewing Cover.
Position your mobile device camera freely around the subject for desired angles.
Adjust Sliders 2-3 and the tilt knob to control Halo lighting intensity and angle.
Use Slider 1 to activate the Tower Light Panel for soft side illumination (Field Light is disabled).

Note: External environmental light may affect reflections; adjust sliders to balance lighting.

Tips:

Experiment with Halo tilt and slider settings to emphasize subject textures or details.
Use camera zoom and manual exposure adjustments for sharp, well-lit images.
Be mindful of external light sources, which can introduce unwanted reflections.

Best Practices

Lighting Adjustments: Start with recommended settings (e.g., Field, Inspection, or Beauty Mode), then fine-tune sliders and tilt for your preferred look.
Subject Positioning: Align subjects carefully on the pedestal, experimenting with height and angle to optimize Halo lighting.
Camera Settings: Lock focus and exposure for consistent results. Avoid macro or portrait modes unless intentionally desired.
Cleanliness: Ensure the subject and pedestal are dust-free to avoid blemishes in images.
Experimentation: Test both with and without the Viewing Cover to understand their impact on lighting and image quality.
Power Safety: Use only a 12-15V, 1A power supply to prevent damage or fire hazards. Unplug device when not in use.

Safety Notes

Always use the provided AC adapter or a compatible 12-15V, 1A power supply.
Exceeding the recommended voltage may cause device damage or fire risk.
Always unplug device when not in use.
Handle the Halo, pedestals, and Viewing Cover gently to maintain alignment and functionality.

Troubleshooting

Current Light is Red: Check the power supply (must be 12-15V, 1A). Replace with a compatible adapter.
Image Too Bright/Dark: Adjust camera exposure or tweak sliders (reduce for brighter, increase for darker).
Blurry Images: Ensure focus is locked and the camera lens is aligned with the viewing window (with cover) or steady (without cover).
Uneven Lighting: Adjust Halo tilt or Sliders 2-3 to balance left and right Halo illumination.