Quick picture taking question/lens

SimpleCollector

I have a Nikon d5600 camera, and want to take better pics to post here. I have just used the regular zoom lens or reverted to iPhone pics.

I am contemplating getting a macro lens, as it seems that would help tak better pics, but want to get away fairly cheaply if I can. Nikon has the 40mm Nikon af lens sub$300, but would I be happy with that? Quick reading seems to indicate that up you have to get very close to the coin/subject. It seems that many people prefer the 105mm Nikon, but that is a significant jump in price. Likely greater than $700.

So if all I want too do Is post better single coin pics on this forum or maybe group shots of up to 9 slabs....not planning to use a photo editor at this time. Would the 40mm lens help or would it just frustrate me...alternatively, are there any other lenses for a Nikon (sub$400) that would work better for coin photography.

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated, at this time, once again, the pic taking would just be to better Present my coins here and maybe to get better feedback.

Thanks.

coinbuf

This article may be of use to you
coinimaging.com/photography.html

And for $400 this entire setup will do what you want.
macrocoins.com/example-system-400.htmlhttp://

Aercus

I use a sigma 105. Your subject is still and you don't have to worry about edge effects too much as you can center it. Much cheaper than the name brand Nikon. I think I picked mine up on eBay for a few hundred or so.

TurtleCat

Short version: longer focal length lenses allow more working distance to get that closeup shot. The reason why that helps is you have a lot more flexibility with lighting.

In the end, the most important thing with coin photography is lighting. You can do just fine with a kit lens if you have great lighting. Although macro obviously gives you more options.

There are other options like Sigma and Tamron. Also the older Nikon micro lenses like the 105 AF-D. On your camera it would be manual focus only but that would be ideal anyway.

You can also consider a closeup adapter like the Canon 500D or 250D with your current lens.

ShaunBC5

My wife recently bought a fancy macro lens (Red?) for her Cannon. She looked at and really liked some Tamron options that were quite a bit cheaper. I wasn’t lucky enough for her to go that route, but they looked like excellent lenses.
She wasn’t wanting to shoot coins and I’m not into photography, but I had to sit through a lot of YouTube videos on the subject.
I’m thinking about getting a USB microscope for better coin pics. Probably won’t be as good as what you’re already doing. Good luck.