New Coin Photography Setup for 2022: Focus Stacking Rig

rmpsrpms

Happy New Year to All! To kick off 2022 I am offering a new type of system for folks interested in high resolution photography. It is based on my System-400, but I have added an industrial 2mm pitch linear rail (THK KR2602B), 0.9-deg Stepper motor with manual operation knob (Vexta PK243m-01BA), and a Stepper motor controller with computer interface.

I don't expect to sell a lot of these, but for folks wanting to do high resolution work, this system has the capability.

Check it out, and PM me if you have interest in doing high resolution 2D and 3D work:

JWP

Wow - looks awesome. It kinda looks to be out of my price range, so I'll stick with Kodak Instamatic. I like low tech. LOL

Namvet69

Nice rig, motorized rail is sweet. B&H got nothing on you. Peace Roy

rmpsrpms

A few folks have asked for pricing on this system, so I figured I post it here.

The copy stand (wood base, 18" column, hardware) plus THK rail, Motor, Arca Plate and clamp, and Stacking Controller are $575. You supply the camera and lens and lights, or I can supply a turnkey system.

lablover

@rmpsrpms said:
Happy New Year to All! To kick off 2022 I am offering a new type of system for folks interested in high resolution photography. It is based on my System-400, but I have added an industrial 2mm pitch linear rail (THK KR2602B), 0.9-deg Stepper motor with manual operation knob (Vexta PK243m-01BA), and a Stepper motor controller with computer interface.

I wish I understood English better and knew what all this meant.

jshaulis

@rmpsrpms
I'm always interested when I see your posts but don't quite need this yet. I'm curious though if my existing camera would be able to be used with your setup or if I would need additional/different equipment for the best results. I have:

• Canon T4i
• 18-135mm lens
• 55-250mm lens
• 50mm 1.4f lens
• speedlight 430EX 2

Thanks!

Justin

rmpsrpms

@lablover said:

@rmpsrpms said:
Happy New Year to All! To kick off 2022 I am offering a new type of system for folks interested in high resolution photography. It is based on my System-400, but I have added an industrial 2mm pitch linear rail (THK KR2602B), 0.9-deg Stepper motor with manual operation knob (Vexta PK243m-01BA), and a Stepper motor controller with computer interface.

I wish I understood English better and knew what all this meant.

Hah! It's not so bad, but it does take some specialized hardware to create pictures like these:

rmpsrpms

@jshaulis said:
@rmpsrpms
I'm always interested when I see your posts but don't quite need this yet. I'm curious though if my existing camera would be able to be used with your setup or if I would need additional/different equipment for the best results. I have:

• Canon T4i
• 18-135mm lens
• 55-250mm lens
• 50mm 1.4f lens
• speedlight 430EX 2

Thanks!

Justin

Your Canon T4i is an excellent coin camera. The images above were taken with a T2i, so you can do just as well or better with your camera.

Your lenses can't do any high resolution work. You can shoot full slabs and Dollars with them, but smaller coins will start to lose resolution because you'll need to crop them. You'll need a microscope objective to do the high res work. They are not too expensive. The adapter is actually more than the objective in many cases! You could probably get by with a 4x Amscope objective, a cone-shaped adapter, and a few extensions. Total cost <$100.

I am not sure about the speedlight. Most likely it will work fine but you'll just have to add a diffuser to "shape" the light for best results.

jshaulis

Thanks for the quick and informative response. I'm guessing someday I'll be in touch.

Thanks!

Justacommeman

Is this where the first lunar landing took place?

rmpsrpms

@Justacommeman said:
Is this where the first lunar landing took place?

Many of these renderings look like that. This is an unabraded die clash behind Lincoln's head on a Wheat Cent. I rendered it at a low angle in order to emphasize the depths of the 3 clashes. Some folks say these look like the old Battlezone game. I remember having a lot of fun playing that game!

WAYNEAS

Impressive set up and outstanding pictures.
Wayne