I have it down to 2! Nikon D5000 w/sigma 105mm or Nikon D90 w/Nikon 18-105mm VR?

djdilliodon · January 20, 2011 7:21AM

I basically got the cash finally for a new imaging setup which ive been needing bad! My point and shoot coolpix is just not doing it for me especially when coins are in slabs

. I have down to the Nikon D5000 matched to a sigma 105mm macro lense or the Nikon D90 matched with the Nikon 18-105mm VR lense. Which one is the better combo? The D90 setup is around $160 less. Its to my understanding that both setups will do manual focus?

blu62vette · January 20, 2011 7:22AM

the 18-105 is not a great coin lens.

djdilliodon · January 20, 2011 7:25AM

<< the 18-105 is not a great coin lens. >>

I was thinking that. fixed macro the best i take it?

messydesk · January 20, 2011 7:29AM

Some other questions:

- What model CoolPix do you have and what, specifically, do you see at its shortcomings for coin pictures you want or need?
- What else are you going to use the camera for?
- What do you use, if anything, for everyday snapshots?

I agree that the kit zoom lenses are not ideal for macro coin shots. By the same token, a body with only a 105mm macro is going to mean you're not going to be able to use the camera for much general purpose photography.

Jesh · January 20, 2011 7:30AM

<< 

<< the 18-105 is not a great coin lens. >>

I was thinking that. fixed macro the best i take it? >>

Yes the fixed macro is better And both do manual. A user on my forums has a 150mm sigma (see forum in my sig). I think he's on here too his name is mingot. There is a thread with him testing that similar setup if you'd like to stop by.

Broadstruck · January 20, 2011 7:39AM

Nikon D90 w/sigma 105mm I think is want Airplanenut is using for his spectacular images

Bochiman · January 20, 2011 7:44AM

D90 + Sigma105
(I have the Sigma 105 since the 180 is so much more, but I kind of want the 180 now

)

djdilliodon · January 20, 2011 7:46AM

<< Some other questions:

- What model CoolPix do you have and what, specifically, do you see at its shortcomings for coin pictures you want or need?
- What else are you going to use the camera for?
- What do you use, if anything, for everyday snapshots?

I agree that the kit zoom lenses are not ideal for macro coin shots. By the same token, a body with only a 105mm macro is going to mean you're not going to be able to use the camera for much general purpose photography. >>

I have the Nikon L20 coolpix. When imaging coins raw the camera isnt all that bad. When coins go into slabs it is next to impossible to image the coin without getting the glare from the lighting. The camera auto focuses on the plastic/glare instead of the coin. An slr with manual focus i would imagine would not only fix that problem but also take cleaner pics as well.

I would use the camera mainly for coins. I have the coolpix for everyday use and if i go with the d5000 it comes with the 18-55mm.

LindeDad · January 20, 2011 8:00AM

I have the D90 with the 18x105 but also have a older Nikon Nicor 105. I like the 18x105 for whole slab shots and out door shots but when doing close up work use the manual 105.
Couple of things I did recently. First two with the 18 to 105 Morgan close up with the Nicor.

mgoodm3 · January 20, 2011 8:06AM

whatever body you get, you will want a true macro lens for high-quality coin work.

lablover · January 20, 2011 9:04AM

I use the Nikon D90 and Sigma 105mm Macro. I'm going to change the lens, so if your interested in saving a few more dollars my 105mm Sigma could be available. Fairly new and in excellent condition.

Shoot me a PM if interested and we'll chat.

Raybo · January 20, 2011 9:46AM

<< whatever body you get, you will want a true macro lens for high-quality coin work. >>

What Mark said ^^^^^^^^

djdilliodon · January 20, 2011 9:48AM

<< I have the D90 with the 18x105 but also have a older Nikon Nicor 105. I like the 18x105 for whole slab shots and out door shots but when doing close up work use the manual 105.
Couple of things I did recently. First two with the 18 to 105 Morgan close up with the Nicor.

>>

If i can take shots like that with the new setup i would be totally happy! Do you have any examples of pics you have taken of fully colorful toned coins?

drwstr123 · January 20, 2011 10:20AM

This is a D200 with a Sigma 90mm Macro:

jsf · January 20, 2011 10:38AM

I mentioned in mingot's thread that I recently ordered the D90 from B&H. Well, it arrived today and I'm sittin' here reading all the menus. omg!

I knew it was going to be a bit of a shock, as I was upgrading from an old Olympus 3.2MP point and shoot. This is outtasite.

I'm still shopping for macro and telephoto/zoom lenses.

ed. - funny story about changing media, changing times, etc.; ...new media, new camera capabilities (movies), anyway, I got an 8GB SD memory card. I also got a 16 Gig card as well.

The second card was a wise investment, especially if I want to do something like, ooohh, reshoot an epic movie. Maybe, Gone With The Wind?

morgandollar1878 · January 20, 2011 4:07PM

DO NOT buy one of the lenses that say macro and are also zoom lenses (I know that you didn't mention this type but I am just pointing it out). They are not true macro lenses. The fixed focal length macro lens is the best, and the manual focus feature tends to be better also. You can't go wrong with the Sigma that you are considering.

notwilight · January 20, 2011 4:29PM

<< whatever body you get, you will want a true macro lens for high-quality coin work. >>

But how does the novice know what a "true macro" is. I know but can't explain it well right now. --jerry

jsf · January 20, 2011 5:30PM

for one thing, aren't you looking for 1:1 reproduction ratio in a macro lens?

messydesk · January 20, 2011 11:26PM

If you're trying to save money on a coin-only setup and you want a DSLR, how about a D3000 and a used, manual focus 105mm macro? Put the savings over the D5000+Sigma 105 into Camera Control Pro software and you will be much more productive.

I just looked over the Coolpix L20 specs and the macro mode isn't going to help for coins. The telephoto mode without macro will get you a working distance of 70 cm at a 35 mm-equivalent focal length of 136mm. The detector is 3648x2736. This comes out to an images of 792 pixels in diameter for a dime, and 1687 for a silver dollar on the detector, which should be quite usable for web images. Since you'll be over 2 feet away from the coin, you'll be able to get the lights higher while not having as much of a glare problem. The camera focusing on the surface of the slab vs. the coin won't me much of an issue, either, since they're so close to each other compared to the distance between the camera and the coin. Use bright lights and set the ISO to 64. You'll have to use the timer on the camera to avoid camera shake at that distance, and perhaps you'll need a larger tripod, but this is only $30. No, this won't be as good as you can get with a DSLR, but if it is all you want and all you need and you'd rather spend money on coins, I'd look into this first.

mingot · January 20, 2011 11:49PM

<< If you're trying to save money on a coin-only setup and you want a DSLR, how about a D3000 and a used, manual focus 105mm macro? Put the savings over the D5000+Sigma 105 into Camera Control Pro software and you will be much more productive. >>

Going to agree with putting money into camera control pro and a 105mm manual macro, but it looks like the D3000 is not compatible with the software.

edit: this might not be applicable to you, but i payed the extra money for the kit lens AND a macro. this allowed me to justify the purchase to swmbo since I can use the camera to take pictures of things other than coins. really, not just her... i thought it would be a shame to spend all that money on something to do nothing but photograph coins.

djdilliodon · January 21, 2011 12:02AM

<< 

<< If you're trying to save money on a coin-only setup and you want a DSLR, how about a D3000 and a used, manual focus 105mm macro? Put the savings over the D5000+Sigma 105 into Camera Control Pro software and you will be much more productive. >>

Going to agree with putting money into camera control pro and a 105mm manual macro, but it looks like the D3000 is not compatible with the software.

edit: this might not be applicable to you, but i payed the extra money for the kit lens AND a macro. this allowed me to justify the purchase to swmbo since I can use the camera to take pictures of things other than coins. really, not just her... i thought it would be a shame to spend all that money on something to do nothing but photograph coins. >>

Both setups im looking at include an 18-55mm for the everday photos. What software do you recommend I get?

lcoopie · January 21, 2011 12:08AM

I got a DSR because I wanted it for coin photography
but then I got interested in photography in general
If you only want coin photography you need a macro lens as mentioned
but if you might be interested in general
go for the 18-200mm ( you will need a separate macro lens)

The D3100 has very good reviews
Ken Rockwells website

mingot · January 21, 2011 12:10AM

Well, as far as I know the only thing that lets you do liveview on the PC with Nikon cams is Nikons camera control pro software. It's really must have, IMO.

You can see the viewfinder on the PC with helps with focus and gives you immediate feedback on your lighting without having to take tons and tons of pictures.

slipgate · January 21, 2011 12:25AM

I have the D70s with the VR105mm Micro lense. That lense has an extremely short field of view. When the devices are in focus, the fields are not. Tough to make good pics with that combo.

mgoodm3 · January 21, 2011 12:44AM

<< I have the D70s with the VR105mm Micro lense. That lense has an extremely short field of view. When the devices are in focus, the fields are not. Tough to make good pics with that combo. >>

For macro work, depth of field is almost entirely dependent upon the magnification and aperture setting. If you have a morgan full screen with a 200mm macro or with a 50mm macro, the depth of field will be almost the same (at the same aperture setting).

When you are viewing the coin prior to taking the image, the aperture is wide open for easier focusing. That will make the depth of field more narrow. When the picture is shot the aperture closes down to the desired setting and the depth of field will be a little deeper.

airplanenut · January 21, 2011 12:53AM

<< Nikon D90 w/sigma 105mm I think is want Airplanenut is using for his spectacular images

>>

I don't use my 105mm very much any more, as I've switched to a Sigma 180mm for anything small enough to fit in the image field of view (some larger coins/medals don't fit even if my camera is at the top of the copy stand). That said, The D5000, I believe, lacks an autofocus motor, and I'm pretty sure the Sigma 105s don't have an internal one. If you want to use autofocus, I don't think the 105mm is compatible with the D5000 (though it is with the D90, which does have a body motor).

mgoodm3 · January 21, 2011 12:56AM

<< 

<< Nikon D90 w/sigma 105mm I think is want Airplanenut is using for his spectacular images

>>

I don't use my 105mm very much any more, as I've switched to a Sigma 180mm for anything small enough to fit in the image field of view (some larger coins/medals don't fit even if my camera is at the top of the copy stand). That said, The D5000, I believe, lacks an autofocus motor, and I'm pretty sure the Sigma 105s don't have an internal one. If you want to use autofocus, I don't think the 105mm is compatible with the D5000 (though it is with the D90, which does have a body motor). >>

Those images with the 105 were spectacular because it was my old lens... I think.

rmpsrpms · January 21, 2011 2:17PM

I highly recommend going for the D7000 rather than the D5000. I just replaced my D5000 with a D7000 and am able to meter properly with my old manual lenses (at least the AI or AIS ones). I use Camera Control Pro 2 but I've heard Control My Nikon will be available end of Jan for the D7000. It works now for the D5000 if that's the way you go.

Is the Sigma 105 an "internal focus" lens? If so I'd caution against it because that type shortens focal length as magnification increases. The Nikon 105VR is like this and it's working distance is shorter than you'd expect from a 105mm at 1:1 and this makes getting lighting at high enough angles difficult. If you can afford to have a separate lens dedicated for Macro I would recommend a bellows with a 105mm EL-Nikkor enlarger lens. Easy to find on eBay, pretty cheap, and better than almost any regular macro, but won't meter properly on the D5000 (will on D7000). Plus you can bolt the bellows to a copy stand and keep it there permanently, taking the camera off for other photo uses.

I have it down to 2! Nikon D5000 w/sigma 105mm or Nikon D90 w/Nikon 18-105mm VR?

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