Best I Can Get On A $400 Budget? Help

Dozens of folks have used the information from this thread to put together systems based on the advice given in this thread. It started out modestly, but has added info over the years regarding critical lighting advice, making this the "go-to" thread for coin photo system advice. The weird thing is that the original advice of the Canon Rebel XS, with Nikon 75mm lens for full-coin imaging, and 5x objective for variety imaging, are still my recommendation to folks wanting to put together a world-class system for coins.

I wasn't able to take decent photo's until I finally figured out how to adjust white balance in canon's software. Raw proofs that are hazy or spotty still give me tons of grief! The coin can be nice in hand and look terrible in the photo, sometimes they just look like chit!

That is a superb coin photo RMC. Very well done!

Is superdave still here on the site?

I just published a quick review of the Nikon E-Plan 4x objective over on the Photomacrography forum. I think this objective is an excellent alternative to the Nikon M5 recommended for the <$400 Setup, and is available now on ebay for <$40 from multiple sellers. Check out my review:

https://www.photomacrography.net/fo...f=25&t=45481

Hello everyone! As you can tell, I'm a relatively new member and I have rarely posted. But I've spent the last week studying this thread (that's right, all 41 pages) and other photography threads on multiple forums to make up my mind on what photography setup I want to commit to. And after seeing the successful results of all the members who built the >$400 setup, I decided to build one myself!

I already have a Canon T3, and I purchased a pack of 3x Jansjo USB lamps on Amazon that will be arriving soon. Though I don't have enough money to spend at the moment, I have plenty in inventory that will be coming in over the next few weeks, so I'll be buying each part as I get the chance. Here's the list of parts that I need with links, could someone verify that they're all correct? (or if you know of a cheaper / better substitute)

- EOS to M42 Adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2009326880...wYQ&LH_BIN=1
- M42 Macro Focusing Helicoid 35mm-90mm: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2646346860...rBh&LH_BIN=1
- M42 to M39 Adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3849260206...wYQ&LH_BIN=1
- Nikon 75mm EL Nikkor Lens: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1151696633...wYQ&LH_BIN=1

As for the copy stand, I'm still working on a solution. My original plan was to purchase a rail mount and build the support and base for it with wood, but I'm quite sure how to do so. Let me know if you have any suggestions, or know anyplace I can buy a reliable copy stand for cheap.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for the pointers! I think I'll go with the first one you listed, if it's going to produce close enough results to the Nikon lens. Does the EL-Omegar lens require different adapters than the ones listed?

Sounds good. I just now purchased both adapters, the focusing helicoid, and the enlarging lens. Now to wait...

As for the copy stand, I'm still working on a solution. I'm probably going to try to build something like this:

It's been quite a while since I posted on this thread, but it looks like the thread has received quite a lot of views. I occasionally receive emails asking for advice and always point people to this thread as the advice hasn't changed much over the almost 13 years since its inception. Amazing!

The Rebel XS is still an excellent coin camera, and Canon continued supporting it in EOS utility through Windows 10, but they don't seem to support it on Windows 11. I don't actually know this to be true, or if an older version of EOS Utility can run on Windows 11, as I don't even own a Windows 11 computer (yet)! So can anyone confirm if they have been able to get their XS to run on Windows 11, and how they did it?

Most recently due to the lack of support for the XS, I've been recommending the Rebel T7. It is 24MP (6000x4000) so about a 40% increase in resolution vs the XS. I often see them on ebay in the $350 range, quite a bit more than the XS, but Canon seems to be continuing to support it through the OS generations. That said, if someone can confirm they have made the XS work with Windows 11 it would give more life to this venerable camera for coin photography.

On the other fronts, the Nikon 75mm EL-Nikkor still remains my recommendation for best all-around coin lens, and all other recommendations remain the same.

Excellent! Thanks for confirming. Seems maybe the older versions of EOS Utility work on Windows 11. That is great news since the Rebel XS continues to be the best budget coin camera out there. Windows 11 should continue to be supported for a few years so the XS will remain viable as long as folks aren't forced to change OS.

I looked through the current ebay listings for Rebel XS cameras and found many available, but just a few I'd recommend. I look for a few things when buying an XS:

- Is the camera actually a Rebel XS? Many folks list the old Rebel X S 35mm film camera mistakenly as a DSLR
- Does the camera in the listing have a body cap? If not, it's likely full of dust and just hasn't been cared for properly
- Does the handle show a lot of wear? The XS has a thin rubberized coating on the handle that wears away with use, leaving shiny plastic beneath showing.
- The obvious...lots of pictures, seller feedback, if they are a dealer or individual, etc

Here are some examples with issues:

Here's a Rebel X S 35mm fim camera listed as DSLR:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336673501487

This one has a good handle, but no body cap and visible dust showing inside:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/366543052045

And here is an example that looks great, with body cap, minimal wear, sold by dealer, low price free shipping:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/377365575196

And finally here are a couple that look good in spite of one pic showing no body cap. Other pics show that it has a cap:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/377338180318
https://www.ebay.com/itm/398077380698

So it seems a good Rebel XS DSLR can be had for ~$80 or less these days.

I see several Nikon 75mm EL-Nikkor's available on ebay for $70 or less as well. This is more than the original $40 you could get them for in 2013 when this thread started, but they are apparently aging well. I also have a couple things I look for with these lenses:

- Is it the N version, or older metal body version? The N version is OK but I prefer the older one
- Is the lens actually a Nikon 75mm EL-Nikkor? Many folks purchased the Nikon, and put their old lens into the lens case and box

Here is an example of wrong lens, this one a Nikon 50mm:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/287351170085

Here's one for $48, but has a number etched into the body. Should still work fine of course:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/286664469931

And finally here's one that looks almost new in original box for $70:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/326744780253

For the focus helicoid, the original recommendation of 17-31mm was updated to 36-90mm to avoid having to use extensions. Here is an example on ebay, though it is from China seller. I don't see any US sellers of this helicoid right now but they are usually available from Rainbowimaging, a trusted seller:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/147383271985

For the EOS to M42 and M42-M39 adapter, here are a couple examples from ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/200932688057
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264689115041 (from Rainbowimaging)

I recommended a Nikon M5 objective back in 2013, but they were easily available and cheap back then. If you still want to get that one, here's an example on ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313839656019

However, since 2013 many new objectives have become available with excellent performance. AmScope sells several types but here is one that has a tapered front to allow easier lighting:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/143683115805

For the objective adapter, here's an example on ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313839656019

The Ikea Jansjo LED's are long gone. I've been recommending Quans 5W goosenecks for many years. They need to be mounted to a surface or to your stand, etc. They are available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/QUANS-Change...hematic_sspa

Here is my original recommendation from 2013:

Canon XS camera, body only: $175 $80
EOS-M42 Adapter: $5 $11
M42 focusing helicoid, 17-31mm: $30 36-90mm: $33
M42 extensions, 2 sets 7/14/28mm: $15
M42-M39 adapter: $3 $8 for two
M42-RMS Adapter: $15
Nikon 75mm EL-Nikkor Lens: $40 $60
Nikon M5 or Plan4 objective: $30 $40 for AmScope 4x
Tripod: $30
IKEA Jansjo LED lights, two: $20 $36 for pair of Quans 5W

Total $363 $313

So the system is $50 cheaper than it was in 2013!