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7070
Valued Member
USA
180 Posts |
 Posted 09/29/2007 02:14 am
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How to build a (Cheap) copy stand.
There are many ways to Build a support to hold a camera.
Hopefully this will be a start and get the ideas flowing.
I started with two pieces of wood
A 2x3 about 36 inches and a 1x3 about 12 inches (both scrap that I found in my garage
last night).
2 - 4 inch C Clamps
1- 1 inch long 1/4 inch threaded wing bolt (should fit in your tripod socket)
I cut about 10 inches from the 2x3 and about a 5 inch piece from the 1x3
I attached the short piece of 2x3 to the longer piece in a T shape using 2 (3 inch) Screws.
I Then attached the short piece of 1x3 to the longer piece in a L shape. You can use
3 - 4 1.5 inch finish nails and a dab of glue wouldn't hurt.
Drill a hole for the 1/4 inch wing-nut in the center of the L shaped piece (see Picture)
Attach the T shaped piece to a table using 1 of the C Clamps.
Attach the L shaped to the long part of the T with the other C Clamp (See Picture)
Image Insert:
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Wing Bolt hole location and a picture of said bolt (in case it is not a wing bolt )
Image Insert:
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I use this to make sure the camera is level. front to back and side to side.
the C Clamp allows (even when it's tight) a little Up and Down adjustment (north and South)
While the Wing Bolt allows Left and Right (East and West) adjustment.
Just remember, you are not minting coins on a screw press, so Firm but not squeaky tight when you tighten up your camera with
the wing bolt.
Image Insert:
Image Insert:
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This is the Jefferson Nickle in a PCGS Holder that I used for the photo subject.
This picture was taken with the Nikon in the photo's
[Image Insert:
Nothing Fancy but it gets the job done, and when done, it comes apart easly and stores under the bed.
I hope this helps
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Edited by 7070 - 09/29/2007 02:16 am |
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Bryan1315
Moderator
USA
7750 Posts |
Posted 09/29/2007 06:26 am
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I made one out of plexiglass, just heated it up with the oven top and bent the plexiglass to the shape I wanted but I have to say it takes longer to set the camera up and I would just rather hold the camera in my hands and take a quick snap of a coin, it always seems to be sufficient for what I am trying to show at the particular time
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Sleaklight
Pillar Of The Community
USA
827 Posts |
Posted 09/29/2007 10:54 am
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nice! I finally understand what you were talking about 
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Metalman
Moderator
USA
6874 Posts |
Posted 09/29/2007 11:51 am
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Thanks for the "how to build it " 7070 ,,making sure the camera is steady is the only way to get consistently good pictures ,,especially in macro or super macro .
Metalman
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hunter20ga
Pillar Of The Community
USA
1158 Posts |
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collect4fun
Pillar Of The Community
USA
1131 Posts |
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7070
Valued Member
USA
180 Posts |
Posted 09/29/2007 9:37 pm
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quote:
What type and watt bulb do you use in the lamps?
Well I HAD 100 watt daylight fluorescent bulbs, but I broke one  during the photo setup. I replaced them with 45 watt halogen flood lamps. (I was going to try them anyway). they seem to work OK
Lighting is Key to coin photography, Take good notes on what works for you and your setup.
And do not forget the self timer.
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Edited by 7070 - 09/30/2007 2:40 pm |
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adobero1
Valued Member
USA
363 Posts |
Posted 09/30/2007 12:20 am
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Wow, thank you for the plans. I think I'm going to try that.
I have a simple Olympus Stylus 500, I think it's similar to your Nikon. I was going to ask how you released the shutter, I totally forgot about the timer, something I've never used yet!
I can't manually focus with my camera, (at least I dont' think I can). So, when I depress the shutter it automatically focuses just before the shot, so when using the timer, I wonder if it automatically does that for me, or if I need to do that myself before setting the timer...?
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FroDaddy
Valued Member
USA
107 Posts |
Posted 09/30/2007 01:06 am
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Perfect! Time to get to work 
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Edited by FroDaddy - 09/30/2007 01:06 am |
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7070
Valued Member
USA
180 Posts |
Posted 09/30/2007 2:58 pm
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quote:
I can't manually focus with my camera, (at least I dont' think I can). So, when I depress the shutter it automatically focuses just before the shot, so when using the timer, I wonder if it automatically does that for me, or if I need to do that myself before setting the timer...?
Adjust the camera arm (up or down) to the focusing distance before final tighting the C-Clamp. you can place a mark on the upright so you know where to place the arm next time. Then when placing a new subject (coin) press the shutter 1/2 way to focus the coin and make sure the composition is what you want. Then adjust lighting, taking test shots (remember to take notes).
I do not use the self timer for the test shots. Once you have determined the best lighting for the coin at hand, then set the self timer and take your best shot.
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Edited by 7070 - 10/01/2007 12:40 am |
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adobero1
Valued Member
USA
363 Posts |
Posted 09/30/2007 11:07 pm
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Thanks for the tutorial 7070. That all makes good sense.
This will beat by a long shot my current method of placing my subject coin in the bottom of a 6 inch tall narrow jar, moving the jar about under a bedlamp, then positioning the camera on the rim of the jar and manually releasing the shutter!
I have gotten some halfway decent shots that way, but oh, so much trouble, so many failed attempts!
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Spider5689
Pillar Of The Community
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted 09/30/2007 11:14 pm
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Wow, you made it sound so easy. Now I know what my next project is going to be. Thanks for the tutorial.
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ducky1100
Valued Member
USA
173 Posts |
Posted 09/30/2007 11:32 pm
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adobero1,
I have and use an Olympus Stylus 800, I think it's pretty much the same camera only a difference in Megapixels. Do exactlly what 7070 suggested, he's RIGHT ON!
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RenaL
Pillar Of The Community
Turkey
1204 Posts |
Posted 10/02/2007 4:28 pm
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Today I assembled a copystand too, I was inspired by 7070 but I guess I was a bit lucky since I had suitable material for that.
I used a 30 x 40 cm aluminum coating board and a 50 cm piece of aluminum rail with a sliding piece.
I took off the head of my tripod and connected to the slider.
Now since I have a nice rigid stand, I should start working on the lighting.
Here's what I could get with a regular circulating coin:
Is there any chance that the good recommendations about close-up coin photography could be gathered in a sticky thread here?
You guys SuperDave, 7070, zacharycash really mastered this, and share your experience, but I think in time the good stuff gets lost within the pages here.
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7070
Valued Member
USA
180 Posts |
Posted 10/02/2007 8:14 pm
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Nice Setup, Lets keep the ideas flowing.
Everyone wins.
And......
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RenaL
Pillar Of The Community
Turkey
1204 Posts |
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