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Copy Stand.... Which one?

SMKSMK Posts: 250
in U.S. Coin Forum
I'm looking for an inexpensive copy stand. I've heard Testrite is good but they're not making them anymore. So these are the two I've come across so far. My camera is a Sony H2.

Would appreciate your opinion on the following.

Ebay

B&H

Thank you

Comments

  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Both would probably be fine for a small camera. I like the BH one as it looks a little more sturdy and has a baseboard.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    My camera is a P & S camera but its not a pocket camera.
  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't be in such a rush. Keep checking eBay and something will come up. I just got a Kaiser #4386 for $150. (awesome) Mike
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,289 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you don't have a tripod, you might want to get one of those first, and see if it meets your needs. I currently don't use a copy stand, rather a tripod with two legs extended less than the third, then leaned up against the back of my (messy) desk. Works quite well, stores away in a small bag, fits in a suitcase, and cost $29 at WalMart.
    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • rgCoinGuyrgCoinGuy Posts: 7,478 ✭
    I purchased mine off ebay from someone called "2 sisters in texas". It extends out to 12 inches, and i believe I paid around 35-50 dollars for it. I checked their offerings, and don't see this one listed, but you may email them and ask about the 6-12" model copy stand. I am very happy with it, and they were very professional. 2 sisters ebay store
    imageQuid pro quo. Yes or no?
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    I agree with mgoodm3, You want something sturdy to reduce vibrations. If you had to choose from the two you showed the one with the baseboard is better.

    I also agree with messydesk, I also just use a tripod which works well. I put mine over the corder of a chair pacing the coin on that corner. Then a couple of cheap adjustable floor lamps do wonders.
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    I have a tripod but haven't been very successful with it. That's why I decided to go for a copy stand.

    Thanks for the link to 2 sisters ebay store, I will contact them. The copy stand at B&H elevates up to 12" and I think its good that it comes with the base.

    rgCoinGuy, is the one you bought from them similar to the one in B&H?
  • sinin1sinin1 Posts: 7,500 ✭
    I have a testrite copystand CS-2

    used it initially - but with my camera, I needed to push a few buttons for timer


    now I use it for the 2 adjustable lights but hold my camera - which after practice is much easier


    PS - the testrites still are on eBay and should be able to get one in next month for under $75 delivered I would guess
  • rgCoinGuyrgCoinGuy Posts: 7,478 ✭
    Yes, very similiar, the same type of base, and the connector and adjustments look about like what I have.
    imageQuid pro quo. Yes or no?
  • NonCentsNonCents Posts: 78
    Like what mgoodm3 said, it'll probably be fine with a smaller camera. If you have a bigger camera, I would suggest something larger than a 12" copy stand. Here are some pics for comparison.

    image

    image
    image

    "I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
    Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924)
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    What is considered big? This is my camera. Its not DSLR

    That's a nice set up you have.

    image
  • TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,060 ✭✭✭
    I bought a B&H copystand five years ago and still use it today!

    TC71

    image
  • rgCoinGuyrgCoinGuy Posts: 7,478 ✭
    That is probably true about a larger camera, mine is a Nikon 995 using just the built in macro, something huge with a huge macro I could see being an issue with a smaller stand like I have, but I have no problems with the camera and stand I am using.
    imageQuid pro quo. Yes or no?
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    Mine doesn't seem any bigger than the Nikon 995.
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Bu big cameras I mean SLR's. The point and shoots don't have as much mechanical stuff going on at exposure and can get away with a smaller stand.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • NonCentsNonCents Posts: 78
    I found it hard to get good lighting even when using a small camera on the 12" copy stand.
    image

    "I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
    Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924)
  • NonCentsNonCents Posts: 78
    I've tried using the following on a 12" copy stand:

    - Canon Powershot S5-IS

    - Nikon Coolpix S51

    - HP Photosmart R627

    it was difficult to get the lighting right with all of these.
    image

    "I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
    Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924)
  • GrivGriv Posts: 2,804 ✭


    << <i>Like what mgoodm3 said, it'll probably be fine with a smaller camera. If you have a bigger camera, I would suggest something larger than a 12" copy stand. Here are some pics for comparison.

    image

    image >>



    Where did you get your set up from? image
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I've tried using the following on a 12" copy stand:

    - Canon Powershot S5-IS

    - Nikon Coolpix S51

    - HP Photosmart R627

    it was difficult to get the lighting right with all of these. >>



    Lighting has nothing to do with the copy stand. Lighting is the most difficult part about picture taking period. In most cases the copy stand is not the issue.
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,289 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The copy stand at B&H elevates up to 12" and I think its good that it comes with the base. >>


    12" ain't much. Remember that the 12" is probably to the end of the mast, from which you have to subtract the thickness of the camera and lens, leaving maybe 8" max, then you have to squeeze lights in there. Try and find something taller, then you won't have to upgrade later. My tripod is currently about 24" above my desk (22" above the top of the pile of papers on my desk), giving me 16" of breathing room with my 105mm lens attached.
    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • CarlWohlforthCarlWohlforth Posts: 11,074 ✭
    I bought a 24" Camstand. It works. It was difficult to get my camera positioned the way I wanted. If I had to do it over again I would look at something else, though for the price this sure is a step up from a tripod.
    Carl's Coins website w/ links to Carl's auctions
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    My copystand is 42" tall and I have used all of the height on occasion (not for a single coin).
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • NonCentsNonCents Posts: 78


    << <i>

    << <i>I've tried using the following on a 12" copy stand:

    - Canon Powershot S5-IS

    - Nikon Coolpix S51

    - HP Photosmart R627

    it was difficult to get the lighting right with all of these. >>



    Lighting has nothing to do with the copy stand. Lighting is the most difficult part about picture taking period. In most cases the copy stand is not the issue. >>



    If the lighting is above the camera, it will cast a shadow or dark spot on the coin from my experience.
    image

    "I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
    Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924)
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    OK so I'm going to look for a taller one then.

    Griv, what's the model and brand of your copy stand?

    Would something like the Testrite CS-1 work well?
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I've tried using the following on a 12" copy stand:

    - Canon Powershot S5-IS

    - Nikon Coolpix S51

    - HP Photosmart R627

    it was difficult to get the lighting right with all of these. >>



    Lighting has nothing to do with the copy stand. Lighting is the most difficult part about picture taking period. In most cases the copy stand is not the issue. >>



    If the lighting is above the camera, it will cast a shadow or dark spot on the coin from my experience. >>



    That's more of a function of not being able to get the camera farther away rather than the fault of the copystand.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • NonCentsNonCents Posts: 78


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I've tried using the following on a 12" copy stand:

    - Canon Powershot S5-IS

    - Nikon Coolpix S51

    - HP Photosmart R627

    it was difficult to get the lighting right with all of these. >>



    Lighting has nothing to do with the copy stand. Lighting is the most difficult part about picture taking period. In most cases the copy stand is not the issue. >>



    If the lighting is above the camera, it will cast a shadow or dark spot on the coin from my experience. >>




    That's more of a function of not being able to get the camera farther away rather than the fault of the copystand. >>



    How do you get it farther away when the stand is only 12" long? When you figure in the length of the camera minus 12", it leaves you with a small amount of room to get the lighting in. Am I wrong?
    image

    "I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
    Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924)
  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    With the Kaiser, 29" boom, I can shoot full slabs. Mike (1st pic, new camera, no flash)
    image
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I've tried using the following on a 12" copy stand:

    - Canon Powershot S5-IS

    - Nikon Coolpix S51

    - HP Photosmart R627

    it was difficult to get the lighting right with all of these. >>



    Lighting has nothing to do with the copy stand. Lighting is the most difficult part about picture taking period. In most cases the copy stand is not the issue. >>



    If the lighting is above the camera, it will cast a shadow or dark spot on the coin from my experience. >>




    That's more of a function of not being able to get the camera farther away rather than the fault of the copystand. >>



    How do you get it farther away when the stand is only 12" long? When you figure in the length of the camera minus 12", it leaves you with a small amount of room to get the lighting in. Am I wrong? >>



    Most small cameras can't shoot with a reasonable magnification at greater than a foot. You statement is otherwise correct.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    Kaiser is very expensive, way beyond my budget
  • drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,049 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Kaiser is very expensive, way beyond my budget >>


    That's why I said to be patient. It was $105.00, plus heavy shipping. Sometime on eBay, no one's going to be there to bid against you. Mike
  • seatedcoinsseatedcoins Posts: 1,096 ✭
    I recently bought this one. I did not have the money for a kaiser or the others. It was $64.95. It has served ne well

    Digital Pursuits DPCS1812 Digital Pursuits Close-up Copy Stand 18 Inch X12 Inch Base 19.5 Inch High 3 Section.

    image




    Text
    Trustworthy BST sellers: cucamongacoin
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    Thanks everyone. A quick search on Ebay got me this:

    image

  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,929 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've used your new stand for about 2 years now....Took the lights off the sides and it works great!

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • SMKSMK Posts: 250
    Oh.. I thought the lights would be a great addition.

    Are the lights useless?

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