Nikon D5000---First test pictures with $35 home-made copy stand! Dial-uppers, don't even try.

coinkid855 · December 12, 2009 12:54PM

Here are a couple pictures from my rig. I'm using a D5000...I can't seem to figure out the timer feature....could someone let me know how to turn that on? I have an external shutter release coming in the mail, but obviously I don't have it yet. There are more to come tonight...I'm only uploading these two coins at the moment because I found the other ones to be out of focus when viewed on my computer...Inlucding the second and third coin here, but I uploaded them anyways....

-Paul

coinkid855 · December 12, 2009 1:08PM

Here's some pictures of my rig:

Sorry it's a mess...I literally just built it.

-Paul

SilverEagles92 · December 12, 2009 1:10PM

Looks like an ingenious setup, but the photos look washed out on my monitor.

coinkid855 · December 12, 2009 1:14PM

I agree. I'm trying to fix that...

-Paul

Edited to add: Thanks! Did I mention that the post that the camera is mounted on folds down for easy storage?

coinkid855 · December 12, 2009 1:18PM

Here's my UHR I just imaged....PCGS 69 FS:

-Paul

Pentimento · December 12, 2009 1:54PM

Very nice. You can turn on the 2 second delay by hitting a timer button up on the front, above the lens release. The real way is in menu, the pencil icon, timers-- from there I am not sure because I use a remote and I don't want to mess up the settings.

renomedphys · December 12, 2009 2:15PM

Your copy stand is "Ghetto Fabulous"

coinkid855 · December 12, 2009 2:17PM

<< Your copy stand is "Ghetto Fabulous" >>

Haha, thanks!

-Paul

Aberlight · December 12, 2009 2:17PM

Ingenious design. Dont know if I would personally use rubber bands to hold up the stand.
.............The Power Rangers coffee mug is a nice touch.

coinkid855 · December 12, 2009 2:30PM

<< Ingenious design. Dont know if I would personally use rubber bands to hold up the stand.
.............The Power Rangers coffee mug is a nice touch. >>

Thanks! Yeah, there's like 8 of them, so I think it will be ok. I made sure to do two sets of them to make sure the stand is firmly held in the upright position. The power rangers mug just happened to be a good height for shooting Morgans. lol

-Paul

Aberlight · December 12, 2009 2:37PM

try under exposing and see if that will knock out a little of the wash.

coinkid855 · December 12, 2009 2:38PM

I'll give it a go tomorrow.

-Paul

Raybo · December 12, 2009 4:17PM

Are the rubber bands there to level your rig CK?

A++++ for EVERYTHING! I wish I was that ingenious!

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 12:17AM

The rubber bands are there to hold the rig upright.

Instead of using L-brackets to make the post upright and immobile, I used a hinge so it can be folded down. It fits perfectly underneath my TV stand.

mgoodm3 · December 13, 2009 12:31AM

Many of the coins (or the camera) are not quite level.

Stuart · December 13, 2009 12:35AM

CoinKid855: Am I interpreting your UHR Gold photo correctly to presume that PCGS has holdered your coin with a 3 transparent pronged holder to allow edge viewing?

messydesk · December 13, 2009 12:39AM

Bottoms of several coins are blurry. Something's tilted funny, either the coin or the stand. Get a bulls-eye bubble level and check.

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 12:42AM

<< Bottoms of several coins are blurry. Something's tilted funny, either the coin or the stand. Get a bulls-eye bubble level and check. >>

Thanks guys, I saw that too. Especially on the UHR. I'll check that out. It's probably the stand. Shouldn't be too hard of a fix hopefully...

-Paul

notwilight · December 13, 2009 12:52AM

<< Many of the coins (or the camera) are not quite level. >>

Wait...isn't that the whole idea of a copystand? I can't see the pictures but when designing a copy stand you need only 3 things:

1. Orthogonality. The ability to position the camera axis exactly orthogonal to the base plane.
2. Adjustability. The ability to move either the camera or the work in and out.
3. Rigidity. You want your setup to be rigid so you don't have to wait 30 seconds for it to quit moving before taking a shot.

--Jerry

cinman14 · December 13, 2009 1:16AM

What's the chap stick used for? Cool setup....

mgoodm3 · December 13, 2009 1:30AM

The problem with the copystand that I see is the camera and very heavy lens is attached at a single point to a bolt. The camera will tend to sag very slightly (enough to throw the focus off). otherwise the coffee-cup base isn't quite level.

IGWT · December 13, 2009 1:48AM

I hate to tell you, but a even slight breeze will be enough to jiggle a camera stuck to the end of a 3 1/2 inch bolt.

Fountainhead · December 13, 2009 1:53AM

Cool setup. The coffee mug is the most important part, of course...

IGWT · December 13, 2009 1:56AM

And the manner in which the column is mounted to the base will likely cause some problems.

Broadstruck · December 13, 2009 2:13AM

Rube Goldberg is turning in his grave

MORGANHUNTER2 · December 13, 2009 2:21AM

Might it have been a bit cheaper to just visit Craigslist and see if there is one for sale (copy stand) so you would not have what looks like it could break (rubber bands) under a bit of pressure or stress from the weight of the camera and rigging?

I like the mug idea- just make sure it sits level..

mgoodm3 · December 13, 2009 2:24AM

Instead of rubber bands, you could put a nut on the bolt, bolt a hook to the base and put a small turnbuckle between to provide tension.

blu62vette · December 13, 2009 2:26AM

I juts bought another stand today for $25. So tall it goes the width of my truck and has 2 pieces on the column with tripod mounts.

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 7:08AM

<< What's the chap stick used for? Cool setup.... >>

Chapped lips. Duh. Lmao

-Paul

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 7:09AM

<< I juts bought another stand today for $25. So tall it goes the width of my truck and has 2 pieces on the column with tripod mounts. >>

You wanna sell it? Lmao

Where the hell do you get a copy stand for $25!!??

-Paul

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 7:10AM

<< The problem with the copystand that I see is the camera and very heavy lens is attached at a single point to a bolt. The camera will tend to sag very slightly (enough to throw the focus off). otherwise the coffee-cup base isn't quite level. >>

I agree. But I try to compensate for that by tightening the U-bolt up at a small angle. I definitely have to work at it, but I'm sure I can make this set up work....

-Paul

DNADave · December 13, 2009 7:16AM

what lens are you using?

Raybo · December 13, 2009 7:17AM

Here's a very good stand, more than $25 but very good.

blu62vette · December 13, 2009 7:18AM

<< 

<< I juts bought another stand today for $25. So tall it goes the width of my truck and has 2 pieces on the column with tripod mounts. >>

You wanna sell it? Lmao

Where the hell do you get a copy stand for $25!!??

-Paul >>

It is a tank. 48" tall and has lights. Freaking beast.

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 7:22AM

Jeeze. Where'd you get it? I've been looking for a while on Craigslist and hadn't had any luck so I just went ahead and made this one.

-Paul

blu62vette · December 13, 2009 7:23AM

garage sale. I like my current one much better, this will just be a back up.

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 7:29AM

Lucky you. lol

-Paul

ldhair · December 13, 2009 7:42AM

The camera was not made to be mounted like that.
I hope it don't break out the bottom of the camera.

coinkid855 · December 13, 2009 9:06AM

<< The camera was not made to be mounted like that.
I hope it don't break out the bottom of the camera. >>

It's a tripod mount...I'm pretty sure it'll be fine, especially considering I'm screwing it all the way in.

-Paul

Nikon D5000---First test pictures with $35 home-made copy stand! Dial-uppers, don't even try.

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