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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,972 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Canon 40D, Tamron AF 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 (IF) Macro, and Sandisc 4GB card ...for $650.
Deal or not? This will only be used for photographing coins.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
That's a tad expensive, in my opinion. That kind of money could work harder for you. If it's a consideration, I'll do a little looking when I get home and see what I can find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
As Dave notes, its a tuff call...Being,...As I myself have been eyeballing some Tamron lenses...The big deal is the so often left out model number...it relates to how old the lens is,: and that is not so bad until you find many are trying to sell the old models for the NEW prices.......My for-instance is.........the tamron 90 SP AF 172E
( for a canon).....the New DI model is going between $325- 450....(NEW)........Note the DI......is the 1:1 ratio...and the old Model is also a 1:1 ratio...However the DI is the newest model, while the "90 SP" Is the Note or assumption of the quality of the newest model, the DI.....the difference is about $2-300 bucks....and both are the SP 90MM macro lens..you figure it out...
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
OK. The Tamron you're referencing isn't precisely a "macro" lens; it's more like a zoom lens that has the ability to focus very closely to an object. Zoom lenses involve compromises in order to achieve the zoom; they're not as sharp as prime (fixed focal length) lenses. A true macro lens is a prime. The 40D is an excellent camera, and the package you mentioned above is worth the money, but it's not what you want to spend that much money on to shoot coins. If you've chosen to spend dSLR-level money on a macro outfit, here's one direction I'd go without hesitation: http://www.keh.com/camera/Canon-Dig...1026270?r=FEhttp://www.keh.com/camera/Canon-Dig...0770370?r=FEKEH is a used camera dealer of wide repute. I've done business with them, as have many acquaintances. I wholeheartedly recommend them as a business. The Rebel XTi (400D) is one of the series of Canon's Rebel models which pretty much own the entry-level dSLR market. I have owned the model prior to that (350D), I owned the model after that (450D), and I'm currently using a 550D. Every shot I post here has come from a Rebel-series camera (except for camera reviews). Needless to say, I find it easy to recommend.  The Canon 60mm Macro lens is of a quality equaling any macro lens on the market. It will produce images equaling anything you see posted here. It's sharp. You'll also find it to be a pretty darn good lens if you ever let the camera leave the house. That's $590 plus shipping. Aside ebay (I don't know your comfort level with them), there are other reputable dealers who sell used equipment - Adorama, B&H, and others - but I think you'll do no better than what I've linked from KEH. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I thought about it, and have to add this comment. It's more for everyone else reading this thread rather than for you.
This is obviously serious money to be spending just to photograph coins. Don't spend it unless you're serious about shooting coins, and you're going to get your money's worth out of it. Even with equipment this sharply-focused on the task (heh), it will still require you to learn a lot about photography in general to get the results it's capable of. There will be a learning curve, and for some of you it may be steeper than for others. Keep that in mind.
Further, you're going to have to invest in at least a tripod and specific lighting. Neither will be expensive - I used a $20 Best Buy tripod for quite a while, and the Jansjo LED lamps which have become so popular here are only $10 each - but they're important parts of the picture (heh) and you'll also need to dedicate space near the computer for it all.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4037 Posts |
SuperDave...I'm a bit skeptical about the recommendation of the 60mm EF-S lens. Not that it isn't an excellent lens, but here are my concerns for use in coin photography: - 60mm is a bit short and will limit lighting flexibility - The lens appears to be AF, and while that might be nice for outdoor shots, manual focus is preferred for studio setups - The lens appears to be gelded, ie no manual aperture, and again this seems sub-optimum for studio use - $325 seems quite expensive and many more options are available at this level If I may make an alternate suggestion... I've achieved excellent performance with the Vivitar 2X Macro Teleconverters using basic 50mm lenses. There are a bucket load of Canon 50mm f1.8 for sale on ebay for ~$35, like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-FD-50...em19cc5024b7The Vivitar Macro Teleconverters are also plentiful and cheap for Canon FD. Here's one for sale right now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-2x-...em19cd606a8dStill need the FD-EOS adapter, also available but at the moment only Hong Kong sellers and fairly expensive (~$25). Perhaps this could be purchased from a camera shop instead of ebay but here's an ebay example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-FD-Mo...em3cbc900b7aThe end result is a 100mm f3.6 lens with manual focus and aperture controls for a total cost less than $100. Admittedly the quality will be a bit lower than the 60mm macro lens, but functionality for coin photography will be superior and the cost is less than 1/3 that of the 60mm. This could leave >$200 for a camera body upgrade or just a more economical setup. There are of course other options, but this one stands out as the best value for money in anything I've seen yet. Ray |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Ray, it was an extremely rare and unusual event when I turned off autofocus on my 100mm Macros. They consistently nailed the autofocus, even through slabs. There's nothing stopping you from switching to manual focus with either the 100mm or the 60mm, anyway.
The 60mm Macro will offer about 8" of relief, I'm thinking. That's ample. Here's a member who isn't having many problems with a similar setup:
www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40003
Manual aperture adjustment isn't relevant when you're setting it from the camera. Having an electronic connection to the camera will make for a much easier learning curve. As I've mentioned before, when shooting tethered with these non-connected lenses, I have to artificially brighten the image a *lot* (3 ISO steps) to get it bright enough to see to focus, and then readjust to take the shot. That won't happen with the 60mm.
And there are those who consider the 60 even sharper (as if that were possible) than the 100mm macro. Not to mention it's a superb outdoor lens, as well.
Not that your suggestion wouldn't work well, and Fotodiox sells an FD-EOS adapter from Illinois for $39.95. It's just that these make manual adjustments imperative, and I'd rather recommend as much automation as possible to a newer shooter.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4037 Posts |
SuperDave...all good points, and I think I know the source of the discrepancy between our recommendations...the 8" WD you mention is likely for Dollars, and my concern is that the required WD for Cents and especially Dimes would be too short. My 105VR lens has barely 8" WD for cents (I think it's around 9" actually) due to the effective shortening of the lens for higher mag shots. I bought the 105VR as my first macro lens when I bought the D5000 at its introduction, but I don't think I've taken more than a hundred coin photos with it since it gives such limited lighting flexibility due to its short WD and large diameter. These factors won't show up much for Dollars, but do for Cents and especially Dimes. Do you know if the Canon macros shorten FL at high mag as well? I assume so, since it's a typical trick for recent macro lenses to do this. I know the Nikon 60mm Micro does this, and I think the WD becomes quite short at 1:1 as required for smaller coins.
At least we are both thumbs down for the Tamron zoom...Ray
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4037 Posts |
Sorry to continue my negativity, but I opened up the review and confirmed a couple things out about the 60mm lens... First, it is not gelded, so that takes away one of my concerns. Manual aperture control is indeed available. But second, the reviewer had many of the same reservations about the lens that I do. Here's a quote from the review: Quote:
Cons
� AF tends to "hunt" for focus when shooting through slabs
� Short focal length may interfere in some lighting setups. In those situations, a 105mm macro lens would be superior- although far more expensive.
� Lens is not IF or internal focusing, which means the focal length changes slightly while focusing, and will affect magnification of coin. So this confirms the focal length modulation for close focusing. I also want to point out that this effect is annoying if you are trying to make a consistently-framed sequence of shots, and is one of the reasons I don't use my 105VR much. Quote:
Technical Specifications:
Focal Length = 60mm (this varies slightly due to focus)
Maximum Aperture = 2.8, Minimum Aperture = 32, note: I've found f25-29 works very well for coin shots when using a tripod and remote.
Minimum Focus Distance = 0.66 ft. (0.22m). This is incorrect; it is actually ~3" or 76mm
Maximum Reproduction Ratio = 1:1 And this confirms the short WD at 1:1. I'm also concerned about the the reviewer's recommendation of f25-29...virtually all the sharpness advantage of this high quality lens is gone at this aperture. I'm hoping this is effective aperture, not infinity, but I don't know if the Canon bodies report it in this way like the Nikon bodies do. But even so, this is a major sharpness killer. To gain all the advantages of this lens for sharpness, it would need to be used at perhaps f5.6 or at most f8, which is effectively f11 for Cents and Dollars respectively. Much beyond this and the whole selling point for this lens disappears...Ray Ray Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4037 Posts |
Ahh, it's just too late at night...that review was for the Nikon 60mm, not Canon. So I still don't know about the gelding on the Canon. I still assume the focus modulation is common between the two...Ray
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
You have a good point about WD (acloco - "Working Distance," the distance the lens needs to be from the subject to get an image of the size you want) for smaller coins. The question is, for someone who is taking images for archival and display purposes, do you really need to fill the sensor with the coin, every time? Especially when the optics are of such quality that even a 50% reduction in size will give an essentially perfect image? I know acloco is a Lincoln guy, so it_is relevant here. I referred to Kurt's review only as an example of what a good macro lens at 60mm could do. The Canon offers none of the autofocus problems, and has the distinct advantage of internal focus (acloco - IF lenses do not extend when focusing. Most macro lenses extend when focusing, leading to potential problems with lighting setup). I'm trying to approach this from the strict standpoint of budget mentioned, plus ease of acclimation for someone who hasn't been assimilated by the photography bug yet. If he gets the bug like you and I have the bug, he's going to invest more down the road anyways. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3540 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
627 Posts |
I will just put my 2 cents in here regarding the 60mm f/2.8 Canon Macro lens. It is a superb macro lens, and works like a dream with the tethering software provided with Canon cameras. You can click on the computer screen where you want it to focus, and then take the photo. Simple as that. Stopped down to f/8 you have zero DOF issues for the novice shooter. I don't own this lens, but I have borrowed one to play with. I was actually impressed with the sharpness, and for documenting your collection, full slab shots, and full obverse/reverse shots, it really is a splendid lens. When I was helping a friend with his set-up, I found that figuring out his camera settings (white balance, ISO, etc.) was more of a learning curve than using this lens. As has already been stated though, it is an investment of $300-$400 for just a piece of glass. That's what I have into my bellows and 75ARD1. http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/profe..._8_macro_usm. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
That's not even a Macro-capable lens. It has a minimum focusing distance of 17.7", making it useless for coin photography. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I have the 100mm and the canon 500D and I have a HUGE learning curve with the camera before I am going to be happy with the pictures I am getting. I am not a photography guy and all the settings are like French to meas I do not know what they do or what they mean. The shots I get seem to be fine for the forum and stuff but I am not getting the results I would like to have with the setup, or like I have seen others getting. I know its all the users fault but just want everyone that has always used a P&S camera that there is a learning curve with the dSLR cameras that you will have to address before you get anywhere close to some of the photographs you see SD and rmp getting out of their setup. Those two guys are photographers and I am just a guy that takes pictures, there is a huge difference and the results clearly show that difference
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Thanks everybody. This deal (on another forum) is going south anyway.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,972 |
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Posted 02/04/2012 01:09 am
