Great macro copy stand for photographing coins...

ellewood · April 27, 2006 11:26PM

I have been using this for about a year now and it seems to work just great! I know many people are always asking about copy stands so I thought I would share the info with you all...

Macro Mini Copy Stand - on eBay

Coxe · April 28, 2006 1:36AM

Looks simple enough. I doubt my Sony F717 and a slab would fit on it though. I should go try to build my own. I have been looking at more expensive ones that have the light sources and all that and meant to ask the pros on here for recommendations, particularly for slabs and details (as in VAM featues).

airplanenut · April 28, 2006 1:37AM

For some pieces, you need to be further away to let in more light... that looks too small, IMO...

mdwoods · April 28, 2006 1:41AM

I think Jeremey is right. It needs to be a bit taller.

messydesk · April 28, 2006 2:31AM

Too short. My cheapo heavy-gauge sheet metal rig lets me put the camera about 10-12 inches from the coin, and I'd like more room.

nwcs · April 28, 2006 2:36AM

Heck, I still do well hand-held. Just have to make sure the shutter speed is high enough.

joeyuk · April 28, 2006 2:49AM

Heres mine.

mgoodm3 · April 28, 2006 2:57AM

Gotta get something really big and heavy.

pharmer · April 28, 2006 3:08AM

Thanks for the heads up, ellewood.

Say, why are these called copy stands? They don't copy. They are camera holders.

Seriously, why are they called copy stands?

mrearlygold · April 28, 2006 3:10AM

Here's the one we bought

]Tabletop

Coxe · April 28, 2006 3:16AM

I like the prices and simplicity of the tabletop ones two of you use. What do you recommend for lighting? I need multiple sources indrder to get at details, PL surfaces and perhaps toning. There are filament sources fo spot details, right? Right now, I am handheld with an Ott-Lite when I don't use the scanner.

mgoodm3 · April 28, 2006 3:21AM

<< <i>Thanks for the heads up, ellewood.

Say, why are these called copy stands? They don't copy. They are camera holders.

Seriously, why are they called copy stands? >>

The cameras can copy things like photos and such. Actually works pretty well to copy photos.

Gator5220 · April 28, 2006 3:25AM

The company that sells the copystand that ellewood bought makes a larger version. I've been using for over a year now, and it lets me zoom in as well as back out.

pharmer · April 28, 2006 3:28AM

Thank you Mark. It's not immediately apparent, at least to me, and I never heard the term until I got here.

Coxe · April 28, 2006 3:40AM

<< <i>Seriously, why are they called copy stands? >>

It's a printer's term, for shooting copy.

messydesk · April 28, 2006 4:23AM

<< <i>I like the prices and simplicity of the tabletop ones two of you use. What do you recommend for lighting? I need multiple sources indrder to get at details, PL surfaces and perhaps toning. There are filament sources fo spot details, right? Right now, I am handheld with an Ott-Lite when I don't use the scanner. >>

For lighting, be flexible and use whatever works best for your taste. There are some instances that call for very diffuse light, some for a frosted bulb, some for a bare bulb. I've used a daylight fluorescent swing-arm desk lamp, a fluorescent ringlight, daylight, and an unfrosted Tensor lamp bulb. With the auto white balance calibration in most cameras, it doesn't matter very much what color your light source is, just how harsh or soft and where it is.

joeyuk · April 28, 2006 4:35AM

For lighting I ordered 4 trumpet top lights when I ordered the copystand and picked up 2
2 cheap clip lights from staples. While I was there I broke down and picked up a nice OTT lite.
I added a third trumpet light and am in the process of adding or subtracting to get the desired
effect. Here is a lighting chart from the table top studio website

lighting chart

AuldFartte · April 28, 2006 8:37AM

That works quite well for small coins and a small digital camera.
I used one of those with an Olympus for a while, but the new DSLR
won't work at all. I'll need to get a much larger copy stand now.

KoinDawg · April 28, 2006 9:13AM

Here's tutorial for digital photos of coins that might be helpful

"link"

ModernDollarNut · April 28, 2006 9:27AM

<< <i>Gotta get something really big and heavy.

>>

Does that thing serve as your Nautilis machine?!?!

That is a set up to die for, thanks for the picture! Rob

ss350camaro · April 28, 2006 9:35AM

Guys,

Click the link in mgoodm3's sig line.

Tons of awesome info from one of the best photogs around.

mgoodm3

Coxe · April 28, 2006 10:43AM

Like your sig gif, Mark. I hadn't noticed how far platinum had gone. I was planning an entry on a dip below $1,000. Oh well to that.

Great macro copy stand for photographing coins...

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