New pic with new gear...

Broadstruck

Finally got my new DSLR gear set-up this weekend as I desperately needed a short table to place it on.



I do not have a lot of items to images at home and will have to venture to the SDB and bring home some goodies.

Still needing to get accustomed to everything I'm kind of happy with the results so far.

Constructive criticism greatly appreciated!

Hyperion

there is NO substitute for a camera stand, a good SLR and a nice light setup!

let's see how close you can shoot

Broadstruck

<< <i>there is NO substitute for a camera stand, a good SLR and a nice light setup!

let's see how close you can shoot >>



Best thing so far is there's NO slab glare issues as with my Point and Shoot.

Those halogens get really hot... you want a lot of working distance!

coinkid855

Nice job! The focus seems a tad bit off though. Still a great start!






-Paul

coinsarefun

Looks good from here but best examined in hand to
compare

please send it.over for comparision

Broadstruck

<< <i>Nice job! The focus seems a tad bit off though. Still a great start! >>



Thanks for the template coinkid855!

Yes it's a bit soft as I was eager to try something.

Edited to add: I discovered the white foam I was using under the coins was rippling from the heat of the lights.

coinkid855

You're welcome! Keep on working at it and you'll be taking Mark-caliber pictures! =D



-Paul

ricko

Wow... heck of a set-up... looks like you are going professional... Cheers, RickO

Flatwoods

Those halogens get really hot... you want a lot of working distance!

I agree!! I know my pics would be better with the halogens. I'm just not getting enough light.
I sure got tired of burning my fingers though.

I'm trying to find some better halogen lights.
If anyone has any suggestions on halogen lights with reflectors it would be appreciated.

Nice setup Broadstruck.

Broadstruck

<< <i>Those halogens get really hot... you want a lot of working distance!

I agree!! I know my pics would be better with the halogens. I'm just not getting enough light.
I sure got tired of burning my fingers though.

I'm trying to find some better halogen lights.
If anyone has any suggestions on halogen lights with reflectors it would be appreciated.

Nice setup Broadstruck. >>



I was using PAR20 40W Halogen floods which worked but I felt I also needed more light and switched to PAR30 75W's which did the trick. The OTT lights seen in the image are used only to hold the Incandescent Clamp Lights. This was an affordable light set-up as for 2 lights and bulbs it was less then the cost of a single OTT. I purchased these Clamp Lights as it's almost impossible to find a goose neck desk lamp that takes a regular bulb and allows you to remove the reflector.



The downfall is the PAR30 75W's do produce a LOT of heat and here's where a Marco lens 100mm or better gets you out of the hot zone.
I have a 55mm Micro lens which is unusable with these lights as I'm working too close to the lighting. With lengthy exposure I feel would damage the camera and dry out or move the lubrication in the lens.

One last note when working with these Halogens... When your through imaging turn them off and move the slab otherwise you'll fry the plastic.

lkeigwin

Nice work, Broadstruck! Love the application of those OTT lights. Not a fan either.

I haven't picked up the PAR30 75w halogens yet. Are they much hotter than the 50w?

Are you using manual or autofocus?

I tried a viewfinder magnifier to double the image size in hopes of better manual focus but I found that just using the LCD screen works better. This is for a Sony 300 D-SLR. It has a "Live Preview" mode that bypasses the camera's prism mirror so it's a real eye-to-eye view and great for exposure tweaks.
Lance.

messydesk

That's a pretty familiar looking setup. Looks like you're off to a good start.

mgoodm3

Probably very nice, but I can't see nothin at work...

Broadstruck

<< <i>Nice work, Broadstruck! Love the application of those OTT lights. Not a fan either.

I haven't picked up the PAR30 75w halogens yet. Are they much hotter than the 50w?

Are you using manual or autofocus?

I tried a viewfinder magnifier to double the image size in hopes of better manual focus but I found that just using the LCD screen works better. This is for a Sony 300 D-SLR. It has a "Live Preview" mode that bypasses the camera's prism mirror so it's a real eye-to-eye view and great for exposure tweaks.
Lance. >>



The PAR30's are like the surface of the sun compared to the heat of the 40W PAR20's. Nice thing is I found a twin pack of PAR30's at Walmart for $11.22 (which is just 77 cents more then the PAR20's) as I was expecting to pay $9.00 a bulb walking in the store.

I'm using all manual and went with the Nikon D200 as it meters all the AI'd and AI-S older lenses.

I've also considered a magnifying eyepiece and could see myself needing a right angle version for additional height needed to image dollar sized coins. But I feel I can just place the copy stand on the floor for imaging really large coins or medals.