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What copy stand and lights do you like?
Zoins
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I have a dSLR and I'm looking to get more into coin photography. I have a pretty good idea on what macro lens to get but wanted to know what people liked in the way of a copy stand and lights.
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Still using a tripod and a platform, works for me.
I have a Kaiser (RS1) I got used off ebay for about 1/4 price. It did not come with the light fixtures, so I paid up for two of them. Very solid, precision adjustment for the camera and for the lights, works very well. I have 4 light sockets on the 2 light fixtures, so lots of flexibility for lighting.
Best, SH
We use a Dino-Lite photo box and just set our phone/camera on top.
coinzip.com
Kaiser RS1 and a couple gooseneck lamps. Bencher is another brand you'll see people citing. Most important is that you have the full range of working distances you need. At shows I use a carbon fiber tripod with the mast reversed. Leveling is touchier, but it's much lighter and I can manage a few days at a show with nothing but carry-ons.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I made a copy stand out of clear plexiglass. Two layers about 12" apart, 4 dowels screwed in top/bottom. All holes pre-drilled. I drop the camera lense through a hole in the top then use a 10 second delay.
I use 3 Jansjo lamps from Ikea. They were $10 each.
Whole set up was $40. Camera was $350.
A little better than potato quality.
Another happy Kaiser RS-1 user
It's pretty massive as the column is around 40" tall which is great for shooting large diameter medals.
If you'll need a stand to meet WAF (wife approval factor) a smaller RS-2 is also a great.
you have an amazing photo booth like this and use your phone camera. I musta missed something here.
The camera in the Dino-Lite photo box is the Dino-Lite USB microscope.
It connects to a phone or computer which stores the image it takes.
What set up do the fake cameo dealers use? I need to avoid those people
Something like this (old pic).
Lance.
Pretty cool. But how easy / hard is it to adjust camera settings in your setup?
I consantly experiment with manual focus and other camera parameters, for which I have kept the camera very easily accessible to me.
Very easy. I sit at a desk chair and pull up to a table. Controls on the camera are within reach. I am so familiar with them I don't need to stand to see or read anything.
A large monitor is tethered to the camera so no viewfinder is involved. Camera controls allow zooming in for focus adjustment with extreme accuracy...a single date digit on a half dollar fills the entire screen.
Lance.
Cool. Great setup...
Yes, I do the same, a single letter/digit fills up the whole screen to fine tune the sharpness etc...
I am in the Bencher camp but they are now out of business. Luckily I have a few spares.
Here's a newer pic.
Lance.
Bencher Copymate II
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
@Yosclimber:
Do participants in this thread have experience with the "Dino-Lite USB microscope"? I am curious as to the quality of images taken of coins?
I use a Testrite brand copy stand I bought used on ebay, with 2 goosenecks that attach to the camera post. The baseboard is 18% gray for setting white balance. I use cfl's like CHD but my photos are nowhere near as good as his! Nikon D40 body and old manual Nikon 105mm macro lens, I only shoot manual.
Here's a 2009 thread with many photos:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/727581/dino-lite-am311-any-good
2016 thread:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/971541/dino-lite-am4115-zt-usb-microscope-question
There are several good inexpensive portable USB microscopes now with live viewing on your PC monitor.
I recently bought an Andonstar 2MP USB microscope with built-in LEDs on ebay for $40.
@lkeigwin What do you use for diffuse material?
Supposedly, it is professional photographic diffusion material. Stuff you can buy from a big camera store.
In truth it is white, ripstop nylon available much cheaper at marine supply stores.
Lance.
@lkeigwin Thanks for the info.