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 Replies: 13 / Views: 3,136 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
I know nothing about photography but would like to learn. I stared off by getting the t3i in december, and I heard the canon 100 mm macro lens would be the king for this camera. I'd like to buy the right lens. I heard it is like $400 to $500, but when searching ebay I find all different prices. Can someone point me out to the actual lens I should buy on ebay somewhere, so I know exactly what I am looking for? |
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Valued Member
Canada
414 Posts |
I have the T3I also and have managed to take some great macros just with the standard 18-55MM lense. So before you go sepnding $500 on a macro lense try this. Use the USB cable to hook into your computer, open the remote shooting program and click on "live view mode". This will give realtime view of what your taking a picture of, make sure your using a tripod, set the camera on manual, and turn OFF the image stabilizer. You can set your ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and manual focus with the click of your mouse. No need to touch camera until your done taking all your photos.
The minimum focus length is 0.8 feet so position your lense approx 10 inches from the coin/object on full zoom of course. I use Adobe Photoshop CS6 for post processing, but all I do is use a 1" x 1" cropping tool which you can find in any editing program. When saving the pic Photoshop will allow you to adjust the size of the photo, this is necessary because I believe CCF has a restriction of 90mb per pic if I remember correctly.
Lighting is my biggest problem, I use a desk lamp and a piece of white paper to reduce the glare on the coin. I put shutter speed on 0.3" to help 'warm' up the photo a bit and the F-stop(aperture) will vary depending on your lighting.
I'm not an expert either, and am still learning but that should get you started.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Before getting into that, we should nail down more specifically what you're looking for. Are you looking for something specifically for taking coin pictures, or would you like to do other stuff with the lens? If you want to get good pictures with your current equipment and don't want to spend too much, you might be able to use one of your current lenses. What lenses do you have? You also may be able to stretch them a bit with reversing adapters, or extension tubes, or various other tricks. If you're looking for the best possible coin pictures, and don't care as much about doing other stuff, the best setup is a combination of adapters, bellows and duplication lens. If you want a lens for coin photography as well as general macro photography (something you can take out into the field and shoot bugs with), then a 100mm macro lens is the best bet. Canon actually makes two (the newer, more expensive one has image stabilization), but there are excellent (and cheaper) third party ones as well (e.g. Tokina, Tamron, Sigma). Here are some links so you at least know what they look like: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens (The newer IS version) Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens (The older, less expensive version) Tokina AF 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 Pro D Macro Lens - Canon Mount (Cheaper and performance is similar) Used or refurbished lenses can be quite good, although you're always taking some chance. Theoretically a lens should last almost forever if properly cared for. The price of a used lens will depend on condition, whether it includes accessories like hoods, if the original box is included, etc. In any case, lighting is key, probably more important than specifically which lens you use. |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
As far as an "attach this lens to a Canon dSLR and start shooting pics," the 100mm Macro has no better. With that said, you're paying for capabilities - infinity focus, autofocus - which aren't necessarily required for coin photography. And as the Captain said, the "lesser brand" equivalents are no slouches themselves.
Take his advice, think things through, balance your willingness to learn an entirely new skill which does require a learning curve against your financial ability. Then get back to us and we'll talk in more depth.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Most every photo I've posted on this site come from the 100mm EF F/2.8 lens no extension tubes, using AF. It's a great lens!
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3276 Posts |
I think I just need help with a setup before I buy a new lense. I've seen a ton of different setups and I don't know which direction to go for myself. I'd like advice on lights to buy because I have none, and I have an old crappy tri-pod but I'm clueless on which settings to use on the camera. I have a lot to learn and don't know where to start.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Ikea Jansjö LED gooseneck lamps are popular for lighting coins and macro photography generally, usually 2 or 3 of them.
To learn how your camera works, I would start using it in Av (aperture priority), Tv (shutter priority) or M (full manual) modes. The most important settings to understand are shutter speed, aperture, ISO and white balance. The first three are your "exposure triangle" and represent the basics of photography.
Also, learn how to shoot in RAW and how to use photo editing software.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
I'll check out those lamps, I live real close to an ikea. And all the stuff you told me to learn, how do I go about doing so? Read a manual, or is there a website I can read up on? Or do I just play with all the settings?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
You can start with the manual, and there are tons of tutorials online. Google is pretty good at answering photography questions. But playing with the camera is the best experience. And if you have specific questions, there are always people here willing to help!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Second on the Ikea jansjo lights cheap, flexible and they put out a good light.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2˘ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
Okay thanks guys for the tips. I will play around with it.
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Valued Member
United States
104 Posts |
You do not need anything other than a decent tripod or some way to stabilize the camera.... Here is my setup  I don't even use lights....there is no need for them if you have a DSLR I use photoscape to edit which is a free program  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
That's pretty awesome. My tripod always gets in the way. Is that one home made? Or could I buy a something like that online?
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Valued Member
United States
360 Posts |
Wow Coinzip that's impressive
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Replies: 13 / Views: 3,136 |
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Posted 01/23/2013 12:37 pm
