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Best I Can Get On A $400 Budget? Help

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Author Previous TopicReplies: 612 / Views: 107,054Next Topic
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Pillar of the Community
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United States
3935 Posts
 Posted 07/14/2022  10:19 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
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.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at:
http://macrocoins.com
Valued Member
rmc's Avatar
Canada
478 Posts
 Posted 07/15/2022  05:18 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmc to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I didn't realize that there were so many people out there like me just wanting to figure out how to take good pictures of coins without breaking the bank. The other problem I faced was I did not even own a camera or even know how to use one until this. Yes, the original setup that rmpsrpms recommended is still up and running and I love it. Alot of my pictures are being used by coinsandcanada website and Colonial Acres to name a few. Its pretty cool to google a coin and pictures that I have taken come up.


Edited by rmc
07/15/2022 05:19 am
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winterhawk's Avatar
United States
107 Posts
 Posted 07/20/2022  11:12 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add winterhawk to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
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?
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marckdaniels's Avatar
Uruguay
147 Posts
 Posted 11/06/2022  07:17 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add marckdaniels to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
@rmc that's incredible!
Pillar of the Community
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United States
3935 Posts
 Posted 12/05/2022  6:16 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
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
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at:
http://macrocoins.com
Edited by rmpsrpms
12/05/2022 9:13 pm
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United States
3935 Posts
 Posted 12/22/2022  10:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
FYI, I still see one auction listing with 2 E-Plan 4x objectives available:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203914579357
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at:
http://macrocoins.com
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timothys_coins's Avatar
United States
7 Posts
 Posted 01/06/2023  9:15 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add timothys_coins to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
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!
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3935 Posts
 Posted 01/06/2023  9:27 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Welcome to the forum!

Your parts list looks OK, though the Nikon lens you listed says it has "haze". It's sometimes easy to open up these lenses and remove the haze if it's on the internal surfaces near the aperture, but if not then it could be a big problem. I suggest finding one that does not have a listed problem so you are not disappointed with the results.

Another option is to start with a cheaper (but still good) lens such as this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155214026496

or this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275498943555

These will give you very decent performance, but at a cheaper price vs the Nikon.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at:
http://macrocoins.com
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timothys_coins's Avatar
United States
7 Posts
 Posted 01/06/2023  10:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add timothys_coins to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
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?
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3935 Posts
 Posted 01/07/2023  6:42 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add rmpsrpms to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
No, the El-Omegar has the same 39mm mount as the Nikon and should work seamlessly in its place.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at:
http://macrocoins.com
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timothys_coins's Avatar
United States
7 Posts
 Posted 01/07/2023  10:45 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add timothys_coins to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
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:


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timothys_coins's Avatar
United States
7 Posts
 Posted 01/17/2023  12:08 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add timothys_coins to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Everything has arrived, except for the adapter connecting the enlarging lens to the focusing helicoid. It's been almost two weeks and the seller still hasn't even shipped it yet

I went ahead and set everything up and held the lens in place to take a quick picture so that I can hear some critique from you guys, here it is:


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