Advice wanted: Copy stand for coin pics for Christmas - here are 3 choices

Bochiman

Which do people think would be good?
I have a smaller camera right now (just a digital point and click) but may get an DSLR in the future so I want something that can handle both.

Haven't seen one in person, just read what people here have gotten. Not wanting the wife to grab it from ebay and wanting a reputable place.

So, here are the 3 she looked at:
Copy stand from BHPhoto

Copy stand 2 from BHPhoto

Copy stand #3 from BHPhoto

Couldn't find any local so she had to break down and tell me what it would be but that is still ok with me....

None of the above come with the light fixture...extra on all of them....

TorinoCobra71

#3

It looks close to what I got.

TC71

leothelyon

With a little creativity, you can make a camera stand out of wood, which is what I've done. One for the base, another for the height and I have one attached at the top and use it for angling the camera front to back. One of the lights I use is clamped to the desk. I decided to make my own after going through the shopping motions, the trial and errors. I'm very happy with my cheap setup.


Leo

tr8cer

Please post a picture

leothelyon

<< <i>Please post a picture >>





How's that? I don't have a patient on the thing yet so feel free to saw and drill away!


Leo

stev32k

The only significant difference I see is that Number 3 has a geared column. Not sure it that is an improvement or not and I suspect any one of them would work just fine.

slipgate

I have #3 (with the 4 light set). The stand is ok with a few problems.

1. The mounting mechanism for the camera (camera to stand) straight up sucks. Very poorly designed! I have to use a screw-driver to get it tight enough to work.
2. There is no way to level the camera without using an actual level - very annoying
3. the gear mechanism is ok, it "stutters" as it is a cheap mechanism. You need to hold the camera on the way down to "help" it.

Overall I would probably not buy this one again. For the cost ($325) I think it should have been better built where it counts.

leothelyon

<< <i>

<< <i>Please post a picture >>





How's that? I don't have a patient on the thing yet so feel free to saw and drill away!


Leo >>




To add; One of the drawbacks to taking pictures of coins is the constant repositioning of the lights. The coins in slabs are seldom in the right position with the light setup so having to tilt the coin or slab has always been a problem. Does anyone know of a cheap way or of a device, perhaps a small automatic leveling platform where a guy could control it by a simple means like with a xbox game hand controller?

And don't ask me to draw another picture!


Leo

ricko

Bochi... this one looks good.. then add lighting arms... Cheers, RickO

http://www.sinarbron.com/foba/stands/omega.php

DuPapa

If you change your mind about eBay.

Worth taking a look. New with 2 5500k low heat lights/stand. $189.00 Item 280112567679 Link

holeinone1972

Look up cam stand pro 24 you can get it for about $100 shipped to your door.

Linky dinky doooooo

Bochiman

Thanks guys, more to look at and try to choose from.
I really wish my local folks had these so I could see some in person...always hard just from a pic.

cmerlo1

I made mine from plumbing supplies from Lowe's:

CarlWohlforth

I have a CamStand. It is simple and cheap. It is solid. The camera mount works, but was hard to adjust to position the camera exactly where I want it. Anyway I was able to figure something out. This is a camera stand only and does not include a platform. For me that is no problem I just put black paper on my desk and the coin goes on that. It is better and easier than spending $35 on materials and fabricating something yourself.

mgoodm3

#1 looks like the largest and sturdiest of the bunch. It has the tallest and thickest tower. Size matters.

They would all probably work fine, but I have no personal experience with any of them.

Lighting is easy. A couple desklamps sans shades with your choice of bulb.

coinpage

i use this one:

cs-1

but i didn't buy it from amazon

leothelyon

Is anyone familiar with this setup where the light reflects off a 45 degree angle panel. There's also an opening in the panel for the camera.



Leo

JapanJohn

DuPapa,

Cool recommendation. That looks like a bargain with 2 lights and a tent and a stand. One funny thing I noticed though in the ad is that the seller has a photo of a coin as an example of what the rig can do, and the coin photo is absolutely dreadful.

John

mgoodm3

Yes, it called axial lighting. I find it pretty fiddly and doesn't result in light that is directional enough for me.

leothelyon

<< <i>Yes, it called axial lighting. I find it pretty fiddly and doesn't result in light that is directional enough for me. >>



So you're telling me that it's a waste of time setting something up like that? I was wondering if there would be lighting problems myself. As you call it, directional because I would want to maintain the 3D effect I aleady have with my present setup. There's always that problem getting a straight shot with the camera while having enough light to brighten the coin. What's the 45 degree panel made of? Cardboard and aluminum or 96 white paper? Oh, I'll figure something out if I persue the matter.
Thank you for the reply.


Leo

Tonelover

Something like this will do the same thing as a copy stand but it costs less than $20.

Walmart tripod

dbemike

More Here

lonelyp

At work we use this Aluminum railing. You can cut it to whatever length you want easilly with a hacksaw. Different sizes and shapes and connecting bits availible. Plain and simple, you can make all most anything with it. With only a hacksaw and an allen wrench. A drill if you want to get fancy. I haven't seen it at Home Depot or lowe's, but wouldn't be suprized if they have it.

DuPapa

What's the 45 degree panel made of? Cardboard and aluminum or 96 white paper?

This one made with glass. Link



Here is an inexpensive proof coin, shot with simple side lighting......And here is the same coin, shot using axial lighting...

messydesk

Axial lighting has its uses. Just look at any Goldberg auction catalog. Good for "glam shots," but also hides a lot of information about the coin's surfaces.