My Turn For Camera Help

Check out this thread https://goccf.com/t/158182

Not sure if the same items will work on a Sony........RAY?

Im just starting to get some of the items in the mail now...not sure when it will all arrive but once I get everything I will be continuing that thread with pictures from my new rig....Im sure I will still need the communities help fine tuning everything.
Ray will be along shortly to advise if this is the best option for you

First consideration: You're not going to have any sort of remote shooting option with your Sony. None is available, So, you'll be shooting using only the camera's controls and its' own LCD viewfinder for focus. This is not necessarily a dealbreaker; I'm only whining about it because I'm spoiled by Canon.

Now, for the good news: the Sony 18-55 kit lens is in many opinions the finest of its' type available, and it's capable of some staggering results. It is_not a macro lens, but with a macro extension kit it becomes a very good macro lens indeed, thank you very much. Have a look:

http://robinwong.blogspot.com/2013/...5mm-kit.html

Robin used a lens extension kit, such as this one:

http://www.adorama.com/VVEXTS.html?...Cg4AodfXoAKA

Note the linked kit has full electronic connection with the camera, meaning all camera functions like aperture and autofocus remain operational. This is imperative if you're going to use extension tubes for coin photography; cheaper extensions without electronic connection are available but they'll cost you the ability to adjust aperture. Dealbreaker.

Now, the price you're going to pay for the quality a dSLR rig is capable of, is knowledge and learning curve. You're going to have to learn about the range of manual adjustments available in a dSLR camera: Aperture, ISO, exposure, white balance. So your first step is to get intimately familiar with your camera's instruction manual to learn how to operate those adjustments, and what those adjustments do in the real world. For the latter, I've found a pretty excellent site:

http://www.digitalslrphoto.com/dslrbasics/

You'll find just about all you need to know there.

Having stuffed yourself to the bursting point with useless (not!) photography knowledge, it's time to start shooting pictures. Sony's "PlayMemories" software will allow you to transfer and view images you've shot on your computer using a USB connection, so (oops!) you've got more software to learn.

I've done similar experimenting with Canon's 18-55 lens for coins, and discovered I like the 55mm focal length better than the 18mm. That means a placement of some 15"+ above the coin to achieve focus, and your mileage may vary with that. You'll need to experiment to see what your lens likes for minimum distances where it can achieve focus. Shoot for an initial setting of aperture f/8 (this will probably be your best single setting; try not to change it), ISO somewhere between 100 and 400, and an exposure of 1/100-1/200. If you can't make settings in that range work (too dark), you probably need more light. If your results are too bright, cool!. Lower the ISO to 100, and shorten the exposure to achieve appropriate brightness. Being forced to shoot at 1/400 or faster is a good thing, except that you've probably so much light on the coin that you're going to get washed-out features. Still, easier to correct for than too little light.

That's all I have to post at the moment. Yes, there are some glaring gaps in the information I've presented. These are gaps you're going to need to identify and ask about later, during the learning process, because what you need to do now is play with your gear. Experiment. Use a logical progression of steps to integrate all the information with what you see for image results. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and as I said earlier the price you're going to pay for the high-quality results you'll get, is knowledge.

Time to become an expert.

Is this something I should have bought for my set up?

Thanks SsuperDdave...just making sure.

Sorry chequer, I didn't mean to hijack your thread. The rig I am setting up seams to be a little more complicated than the option that SsuperDdave has suggested. I'm sure both being great options with pros and cons to each. I'm happy with the route I have taken and super excited to get started with it...its time for you to pick your weapon

Ray (rmpsrpms) found that lens for me...in fact he found most if not all of the items for me, I cant thank him enough! I'm in the same boat as you or probably worse...a complete dummy with all this but everyone is a dummy at the beginning, right. I have no doubt that we will figure it out.

I hate to be untrusting but if you do get the lens that SsuperDdave has suggested, I would first send the seller a message asking if that is really what you buying....in the description area, it says something totally different. I'm sure it was just a left over from a previous listing that was overlooked and not changed.

I use a sony a 65.....I suspect that apart from pixels it is little different to your A57. You can go and buy other lens makes and use a convertor. But you should also look at Minolta AF glass or equivalent( eg http://www.ebay.com/itm/No-2215-COS...3cd603ca58). It is compatible with the Sony A mount and often the old Minolta lens have a much better build quality(don't look at Minolta Maxxum lenses as they are cheap and nasty). For Macro photographs I have a Sony 50mm macro and a Sigma EX 105mm macro( cost US$150.00 from Adorama NY). I am not that happy with the Sony 50 mm (purchased new)
I had been told there would be AF issues with the Sigma I wasn't worried about that as I expected to use it manually. So it was a nice surprise to find the the AF functioned perfectly.

You can even go to older Minolta MD glass which is often very high quality for the price. But for that you will need a a MD-MA adapter and you will have to do everything manually. To use the MD lenses with the adapter you have to set the camera to operate without a lens as there is no way for the camera to recognize the MD lens when its attached. I am just in the process of setting up a Minolta MD bellows unit I am awaiting the adapter so I cant tell you any more. If your new to Sony cameras I would suggest you find a MInolta 100mm macro(or around that size ( AF) and learn on that before progressing to the fully manual lenses. Adorama has a 90mm that might be in your price range http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20581614.html

Your A57 isn't a true DSLR it is something new it has a fixed mirror( referred to by Sony as a translucent mirror) never touch it or the sensor behind it.....I know that goes for any DSLR but with the sony if you use any cleaning liquid on it your cameras guarantee will be null and void. so you don't have to worry about mirror shake.....the down side is you will need stronger lighting especially for high F values. The mirror only lets 70% of the light from the lens pass through to the sensor.

EDIT: If you are really penny pinching and want to try out something cheaper to learn macro photography then I would reluctantly recommend a Minolta AF 35-70 F4. Its actually a zoom lens( normally not good for macro) but it has a macro switch and it takes better photos than the Sony 18 -55 with extension rings. The other advantage is the lens actually takes nice ( for the price) every day photographs(ie: non macro. The only point to note you can only focus this lens manually when its set to macro. Cost? you can get one ( with hunting) for US$35.00.