Canon T1i & Bellows GSA Dollars

Sorry, I think that's too big for uploading on the forum. It's a fine size for photobucket but hard to get the file size where you need it. I think you will just need to downsize more and shoot for a smaller size, maybe 600x600 max, not sure since I only use photobucket.

I've run into a problem. I have switched to my Spiratone Bellows with the Macrotel 150mm lens on a tripod. I am trying to shoot a total image of a GSA dollar. I can only get half the plastic holder to view at a distance of 36 1/2 inches from the lens to the coin. At that distance focus becomes a real challenge. Am I doing something wrong? Maybe I need a different lens? Any suggestions. I have included an example.

Ray, sorry for the confusion. I have continued to move the tripod higher, and finally was able to get a satisfactory image of the GSA holder (about 95%). The distance from the lens to the holder is 45 inches. It is a real challenge to get the image focused, as the setup is very sensitive. Could you suggest a different lens to shorten the distance from the lens to the coin, or some other work around. I can make this work, just looking for something better. Thanks. Photo example below.

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Ham...are you shooting rotated 90-deg or in vertical orientation and cropping? The Captain makes a good suggestion as well since there are good merging programs out there. If you want to have less working distance, a 105mm EL-Nikkor might work well. Figure everything scales linearly, ie if your working distance is 45 inches for a 150mm lens, it will be 30 inches for a 100mm lens...Ray

Super nice Ham!

Aladinslamp,
Yes, I did use the bellows. For this size holder (3 1/2" X 5 1/2" ), what macro lens would you recommend? I have a Canon T1i. Thanks for you input.

Ham one has to realize the lens is specific to its application. Just as normal camera lenses such as the 28mm is mostly used for landscape applications and the 90 or 135MM are portrait lenses for the normal user,, coins delve into a deeper region...full shots of the slab and coin don't work well with enlarging type lenses, they can at best get most of the slab but never all of it, and they need such greater hight of a copy stand to achieve it, well over 30 inches...Most copy stands are 28-30 inches and below...many are 24 or so.. here is my cheap canon 35-80mm standard lens
pic for a full shot, though I could have used my 18-55mm and such..

now I switched to another camera lens, non enlarging, a cheap polish AMAR/S 4.5 105mm
lens, sharp lens for such a cheap price..photo taken at 18 inches..using the bellows with this lens...

now this shot is with the bellows fully colapsed, and the next photo is with the bellows extended to get me a more close up of macro with the same lens, now at about 9 inches...


Now I have switched to a "EL CHEAPO" Rodenstock Omegaron 50mm at about 2 inches....at full frame Canon T1i 15MP
the 9 is all of the 1879 I can get into the view screen.
Now all of these photos, have ONLY been resized, no lighting or sharpening has been done, although they really
need it..time I have is only to show, that the application of the type of lens and the picture your getting.. are the result of the type of lens you are using, and its peramiters..Each of these lenses has its own focal distances, which is a learning curve...but the result is, the perspective of what you are trying to capture....Full holder/slab shots, or extreme close ups...Its still fun to explore and learn how to use the lenses you happen to have G

Thanks aladinslamp. Your information gives me more options to consider. I am trying to photograph (3) examples of my GSA's to start with. The full slab obverse, full obverse & reverse, and a few closeups of "overdates" similar to your 50mm shot of the 9.