I need a copystand, advice please.

Rob85635

I need a copystand and want to order it today. I have been checking ebay and doing online searches but wanted to ask here.

I have spent a lot on other things recently so my budget for one is no more than $200. I don't care if it is new or used but I want a decent one for my Nikon Coolpix 5400. That camera can get real close, so one that goes down to about 3 inches would be nice, but I know I don't need it that close. I took pics at about 6 inches once at max resolution and got great results. The problem is lighting and shaky hands.

Advice on where to buy and what brands are good is appreciated. I do not need attached lights. I have 2 clamp lights that can be fitted with any standard bulb, but if a model has them and fits my budget I would not be against buying it. Again, new or used I don't care. Thanks.

mgoodm3

B & H photo has a good selection of copystands.

ModernCrapNut

I picked up a Testright copy stand without lights on ebay for $22. The lights didn't matter because I also got 2 ott lights, so less than $100 in the whole thing. Looking forward to getting it all so I can try out some of things I've been learning here.

Rob85635

Any opinions on this setup? coin photo kit

mgoodm3

<< <i>Any opinions on this setup? coin photo kit >>



Makes very diffused light which I don't like. Don't think that bottom illumination is terribly useful.

Rob85635

Thank you mgoodm3. I think I found the one I will buy, I will use my own clamping lights.

direwolf1972

<< <i>I picked up a Testright copy stand without lights on ebay for $22. The lights didn't matter because I also got 2 ott lights, so less than $100 in the whole thing. Looking forward to getting it all so I can try out some of things I've been learning here. >>



I am looking into getting a copy stand (hopefully within the next week). I have been reading several posts on camera settings, lighting, and other tips.

I keep running across ott lights but I have yet to figure out what kind of lighting this is. Everyone always just seems to refer to them as ott. Is this an acronym? Or if I go to the local hobby store do I just need to ask for a ott lighting set-up and they'll know exactly what I mean?

FLBuffaloHunter

Ottlite

pinealbany

Copy stand is the way to go!!! Eliminates all the blurry pics due to hand movements.
Also, lighting is very important. The one that Mr. Goodman uses (Kaiser) is an excellent one. Or,
try the Bencher Halogen lights. They are 300 watts. There's a set for sale at eBay right now for
$55 dollars BIN (not mine). If you want, I have a couple extra that I am willing to let go.

direwolf1972

Got fed up with getting either outbid or missing the auctions on eBay. And there arent that many listed anyway. The BST boards seem to be bare so I finally went with a "buy it now". I know the light bulbs will be scrapped as soon as it gets here since they are Spiral Florescent bulbs. I'm also going to work on locally figuring out how to simulate grayscale slab to photo on.

Other than that any thoughts about this Copy Stand?

Anyone else ever bought/used this brand of copy stand? If so any advice or thoughts?

messydesk

Buy a grey card and put the coins on it when you shoot. It will then be very easy to get the white balance correct, if not by using the camera's setting, then by using post-processing software.

I like the daylight-balanced spiral compact fluorescent bulbs. You can get two for about $5 and not have to worry about burning yourself or starting a fire if you want to diffuse the light with a tissue.

Goldbully

I bought this Ugly Copy Stand

This is as cheap a copy stand as you can get, and it works!!

You must use your own creative lighting source....ah, that's the rub!!!!!

Tonelover

A $15-$20 tripod from Wal-Mart will do the same thing.