Photography guys: Whatcha think of this copy stand? Pictures added!!

coinkid855

I know it doesn't have leveling controls....Is that a deal breaker or no? I have one I can buy for $50....


Beseler CS-14 Copy Stand





-Paul

JMW

For $50 that stand will take you pretty far. If you have control of the up and down position, you can get some great detail and be able to repeat it on the next coin.

coinkid855

<< <i>For $50 that stand will take you pretty far. If you have control of the up and down position, you can get some great detail and be able to repeat it on the next coin. >>




Yeah, that's what i was thinking. Either way it'll be better than my current homemade stand....I have to physically unscrew the camera off and then undo bolts to move it up and down. Lol.




-Paul

messydesk

I'd buy it. If you have problems getting the camera and base level with respect to each other, go to a home improvement store and get a small bullseye bubble level for about $3.

blu62vette

I would pass and watch for a better used stand.

lkeigwin

Paul,
I have that one. I think you'll like it. I believe the arms for lighting and the hooded lights are extra. I sprang for them.

There are ways to level it if you really need to. I used some washers as shims.

It's big and sturdy and handles a heavy DSLR and long lens just fine.
Lance.

morgansforever

$300 for a stand, not for me.

coinkid855

<< <i>I would pass and watch for a better used stand. >>




I watch craigslist all the time and this is the first one I've seen...Idk if I'll see another good one for a while!




-Paul

AnkurJ

I bought a used one on eBay without lights for under $100. Bought multi articulated desk lamps at target for $15 each and they work perfectly.

coinkid855

<< <i>$300 for a stand, not for me. >>




I can get a used like new one for $50.

Raybo

<< <i>

<< <i>$300 for a stand, not for me. >>




I can get a used like new one for $50. >>



Buy it!!

coinkid855

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>$300 for a stand, not for me. >>




I can get a used like new one for $50. >>



Buy it!! >>




That's exactly what I think I'm gonna do! Thanks guys!




-Paul

Broadstruck

I have a spare large Kaiser but no box to ship it.

I need to find a box big enough to fit everything as otherwise the shipping will be far greater then $50.

fastfreddie

Anyone have a used affordable one to sell me?

coinkid855

<< <i>I have a spare large Kaiser but no box to ship it.

I need to find a box big enough to fit everything as otherwise the shipping will be far greater the $50. >>




Jeeze, that thing's a MONSTER!! I honestly think it's TOO BIG for me. I live in a college apartment...I don't have room for it! lol




-Paul

Broadstruck

<< <i>Jeeze, that thing's a MONSTER!! I honestly think it's TOO BIG for me. I live in a college apartment...I don't have room for it! lol >>



Yeah I saved the box from my Son's 16" bike that Santa brought him and the Stand laughed at the tiny box!

coinkid855

<< <i>

<< <i>Jeeze, that thing's a MONSTER!! I honestly think it's TOO BIG for me. I live in a college apartment...I don't have room for it! lol >>



Yeah I saved the box from my Son's 16" bike that Santa brought him and the Stand laughed at the tiny box! >>




Haha. How much does that thing weigh!?? Also, what state do you live in? (Hey, it's worth a shot!)



-Paul

Jesh

It is an excellent DSLR stand.

My bad review

Page two of another thread about it

coinkid855

<< <i>It is an excellent DSLR stand.

My bad review

Page two of another thread about it >>




Thanks for the link!



-Paul

Broadstruck

<< <i>Haha. How much does that thing weigh!?? >>



It's just huge as weight wise the camera arm and column are all machined aluminum.

So that all weighs about as much as the particle board laminated base.

Flatwoods

<< <i>I have a spare large Kaiser but no box to ship it.

I need to find a box big enough to fit everything as otherwise the shipping will be far greater the $50. >>



I sold one for around $150.00 one time. I had no idea it would cost me $70.00 to ship it!!!!

Broadstruck

<< <i>I sold one for around $150.00 one time. I had no idea it would cost me $70.00 to ship it!!!! >>



Yeah the trick it to find one locally.

mingot

<< <i>I'd buy it. If you have problems getting the camera and base level with respect to each other, go to a home improvement store and get a small bullseye bubble level for about $3. >>



I use a mirror. Focus through it down the lens. Center the reflection. Quick and easy.

coinkid855

Well, I'm picking up the stand on Thursday at 10AM. Hopefully I'll be able to play around with it before class, and I'll let you guys know what I think of it!



-Paul

mgoodm3

Should be a fine stand.

RWB

Better have a right-angle finder for your camera

coinkid855

<< <i>Better have a right-angle finder for your camera >>




I can usually eyeball it quite well.



-Paul

lkrarecoins

I have a Testrite C-2 that I bought a couple of years from a forum member. It was $75 bucks shipped and does an awesome job, although the lighting is sort of useless for coin photography. I use two gooseneck lamps.

I love the look of that Beseler copylight adjustable arm set (see below link). Does anyone know where I can buy adjustable lighting similar to these, thats compatible with my C-2?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Beseler+CLA+copylight+arms&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

Thanks

LanceNewmanOCC

this list has a couple i've been considering for a while now

hope it helps

Copy Stands

DennisH

<< <i>I would pass and watch for a better used stand. >>

I agree. A Bencher CopyMate II is the way to go.

ricko

Holey moley.. that is a monster ...and for that price? I think it will be a LONG time before I get into coin photography.... Too many other things to buy.. like guns, coins etc. Cheers, RickO

coinkid855

Ok guys, I got the photostand, and I must say....I LOVE IT! I didn't realize what a pain in the butt my old one was! This one is awesome and the photos are just that much crisper. Whatcha guys think of these shots? Hopefully I'll add more tomorrow after the Lakeland Coin show!














-Paul


Edited to separate the photos a bit.

DennisH

Extremely nice photos Paul!

lordmarcovan

I sure need a copystand, but can't see myself paying more than about fifty bucks for one.

I have an old Sony Mavica camera that is too big and bulky to carry out in the field with me anymore, considering my wife's small point-and-shoot will do just as well with landscapes and such. So I figured maybe I can just set up the old Mavica on a copystand out in the shed and leave it that way, since I'd be relegating it to that one use. I guess I need to get a thumb-release (what's that thingie called again? shutter release? where you can release the shutter without touching the camera and causing vibrations?) and also one of those little bubble levels that was mentioned. I already have several of gooseneck lamps.

The thing is, when I get the Mavica up on the stand, will I be able to get enough distance from the coin to shoot without shadows and interference from the camera frame, yet still be able to zoom in enough for good close work? Will I need another lens? I know the Mavica will take 'em but have no idea how to switch lenses around or the first thing about any of that. It's got whatever the stock lens is, but it's a pretty big, long affair, with all sorts of intimidating numbers and stuff on it, haha.

I'm so clueless. I sure wish one of you photogurus lived close by and could help me get set up and could tutor me a little. *sigh*

coinkid855

<< <i>Extremely nice photos Paul! >>




Thanks!


-Paul

coinkid855

<< <i>I sure need a copystand, but can't see myself paying more than about fifty bucks for one.

I have an old Sony Mavica camera that is too big and bulky to carry out in the field with me anymore, considering my wife's small point-and-shoot will do just as well with landscapes and such. So I figured maybe I can just set up the old Mavica on a copystand out in the shed and leave it that way, since I'd be relegating it to that one use. I guess I need to get a thumb-release (what's that thingie called again? shutter release? where you can release the shutter without touching the camera and causing vibrations?) and also one of those little bubble levels that was mentioned. I already have several of gooseneck lamps.

The thing is, when I get the Mavica up on the stand, will I be able to get enough distance from the coin to shoot without shadows and interference from the camera frame, yet still be able to zoom in enough for good close work? Will I need another lens? I know the Mavica will take 'em but have no idea how to switch lenses around or the first thing about any of that. It's got whatever the stock lens is, but it's a pretty big, long affair, with all sorts of intimidating numbers and stuff on it, haha.

I'm so clueless. I sure wish one of you photogurus lived close by and could help me get set up and could tutor me a little. *sigh* >>




I wish I could help ya! Just keep watching Craigslist. That's where I got this one!


-Paul

FilthyBroke

Very nice pics!

mgoodm3

<< <i>I sure need a copystand, but can't see myself paying more than about fifty bucks for one.

I have an old Sony Mavica camera that is too big and bulky to carry out in the field with me anymore, considering my wife's small point-and-shoot will do just as well with landscapes and such. So I figured maybe I can just set up the old Mavica on a copystand out in the shed and leave it that way, since I'd be relegating it to that one use. I guess I need to get a thumb-release (what's that thingie called again? shutter release? where you can release the shutter without touching the camera and causing vibrations?) and also one of those little bubble levels that was mentioned. I already have several of gooseneck lamps.

The thing is, when I get the Mavica up on the stand, will I be able to get enough distance from the coin to shoot without shadows and interference from the camera frame, yet still be able to zoom in enough for good close work? Will I need another lens? I know the Mavica will take 'em but have no idea how to switch lenses around or the first thing about any of that. It's got whatever the stock lens is, but it's a pretty big, long affair, with all sorts of intimidating numbers and stuff on it, haha.

I'm so clueless. I sure wish one of you photogurus lived close by and could help me get set up and could tutor me a little. *sigh* >>



First, I live about as far away from you as possible.

I am guessing that you will be severely limited in what you can do with an old mavica (I used to have one). Instead of a remote release for the shutter, you can commonly use the solf-timer that most digicams have in them.

The problem with most small digicams is that you have to be way too close to get the coin a reasonable size on the frame. That limits lighting (as you have already stated). I have no idea what accessory lenses are out there for it. Sounds like you have some sort of extra lens. Slap it on there and try it out. See what happens.

jesbroken

If you are in the San Diego area there is one on ebay ending in 6days that is a "Pick up only--no ship". No bids as of yet.
Good luck.
Jim

Beseler CS-14 Copy Stand

coinkid855

I really love being able to adjust the height so easily! What do you guys think about this close up? I think Liberty is looking pretty good!








-Paul

AnkurJ

Nice images! Are the surfaces as yellow in hand? You might need to adjust the white balance.

coinkid855

I actually adjusted it and I think I'm pretty good on the WB. Thanks though!



-Paul

Jesh

I knew you'd like it.

Hope my review helped a little... probably not though

coinkid855

<< <i>I knew you'd like it.

Hope my review helped a little... probably not though >>



It did, thanks for your help!



-Paul

LanceNewmanOCC

Excellent Close up.

It is nice to see these guys this close up.

Keep up the good work.

Must have one heck of a macro-lens.

coinkid855

<< <i>Excellent Close up.

It is nice to see these guys this close up.

Keep up the good work.

Must have one heck of a macro-lens. >>




Thanks a lot! Yeah, I have a Sigma 150mm.



-Paul

coinkid855

Here's two more shots I took earlier....A closeup of an MS65 DDR 1941 Quarter, and the obverse of a Morgan toner....The lighting on the reverse was AWESOME, but it was slightly out of focus and will have to be reshot.








-Paul

Jesh

Nice and sharp my friend!

mgoodm3

nice pics.

coinkid855

<< <i>nice pics. >>




Thanks a lot Mark, your book and advice definitley helped get me to where I am with my numismatic photography!!




-Paul

LanceNewmanOCC

Thank you Mark for your great advice.

The D90 and Sigma are en route

Just need the mem card, copy stand, power supply and remote and i'm in business

oh ya and a lot of experience

hats off to you my friend