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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,937 |
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New Member
United States
49 Posts |
I have been reading the posts and am hopeful that someone here will be able to help me. I have a Nikon D90 camera with a 40mm 2.8 macro lens. I have no idea what any of that means. I have been thinking of buying a dinolite simply because I don't know how to set up the camera and lens to do what I want. If there is anyone that can help me with setting up a simple photo system to take pictures of nice coins as well as take some really close shots of what would be error coins I would be appreciative.
Heck, I have some 90% silver coins that I would be more than happy to send someone who can give me a detailed plan of what to buy and how not to waste the stuff I have.
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
The Nikon D90 is a great camera body, and your lens is sufficient for coin photography (although there would be better choice lenses if you want to get serious). The expensive part of you setup is already in place. You still need either a copy stand or decent tripod, extension tubes or close up lens filters, and lighting. Read a few threads and you'll find good information on all.
I would avoid the Dino Lite for photographic purposes. It's OK for looking at a coin, but the pictures aren't very good (and you have very little control of the results).
I'm a beginner as well, but as long as you don't expect to be spoon fed you'll find the folks here are very knowledgeable and helpful.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I'm out right now (posting from my phone), but if too few people have offered help by the time I'm back, I will bury you under information.  |
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New Member
 United States
49 Posts |
Im going to the store today to look at copy stands... How do you connect the camera to the computer? Do I need to buy "camera control" software? Or does the camera connect to the computer in some other way that doesn't involve spending $180?
I have regular lenses as well as the Macro lens... I read in another thread tubes versus bellows? I would assume that I couldnt use the bellows with the macro lens, so does that mean that I'm going to go with the extension tubes?I appreciate your responses everyone. Thank You.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
1) Canon gives you the tethering software for free; to do the same with a Nikon you have to pay the money. 2) Extension tubes are an alternative to bellows; both do the same thing only the bellows has more adjustability You may find that your 40mm provides results which meet your need - a high-megapixel digicam provides magnification on its' own when viewed on a monitor. In conjunction with a tube set for added mag (to shoot details) I wouldn't be surprised if you have all you need right there. I'm still out; just couldn't keep my hands off the thread. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
Your camera can be controlled using ControlMyNikon software, and it's not too expensive ($25 I think). It works better than Nikon's Camera Control Pro 2, IMO.
Your 40mm lens may be tough to use for coins. Its short focal length means that for macro use the working distance will be very small. This makes lighting the coin very difficult. It's not impossible though. The 40mm may be just the ticket for Dollar size coins and will have a reasonable working distance. Dimes, or variety shots, will be tough.
A nice rigid copy stand will be good to have. Do you have a tripod to start testing things out?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
Here's my setup: -- Nikon D90 -- Nikkor 60mm 1:2.8 Micro lens (micro is Nikkor's term for macro) -- OTT-LITE lamps with their "white light" elements (I have two but most often only use one) -- camera stand -- wireless remote shutter release  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
Kanga...ControlMyNikon will allow you to "tether" your D90 to control focus, framing, etc from your PC. Much better than wireless remote. By the way, even if you don't tether, are you using Live View? Or do you set up the shot from the viewfinder?...Ray
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
Quote:
Kanga...ControlMyNikon will allow you to "tether" your D90 to control focus, framing, etc from your PC. Much better than wireless remote. By the way, even if you don't tether, are you using Live View? Or do you set up the shot from the viewfinder?... I've got my shutter speed "fixed" and don't need to adjust my f-stop once I find what works since I keep my lighting constant. I focus manually for two reasons: -- I'm shooting through slabs and autofocus keys on the slab surface -- my depth of field is REALLY shallow; shallow enough that the small distance between the slab's surface and the coin's surface is significant. Actually I had to increase the distance between the lens and the coin because the geometry at about the 4" distance I was originally using was causing a focus problem. I'd focus on the center of the coin and the rim would be out of focus (depth of field again). |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Depth of field that shallow tends to indicate you're using a wider-than-optimal aperture; although I can see it not covering the slab surface and coin simultaneously, any lens ought to be able to cover the whole coin at an aperture setting still above the diffraction point (for no more than 1:1 mags).
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New Member
United States
49 Posts |
Thank you all for the info... I got the copy stand and am waiting for the led lights to come in... The camera store tried to sell me 200+ light - I ended up buying 2 jansjo's. I ended up with a sinus infection this weekend, so I'm waiting till it tides over to start playing around with the setup. I just wanted to say thanks and I'll probably have a question or 2 soon.
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Valued Member
United States
146 Posts |
For tethering software you might give Digicam Control a look. http://www.digicamcontrol.com/It is a free open source software and list the NikonD90 as one of the cameras supported.I have the D5100. I downloaded this software back in Oct/2013 and got to play around with it for about a month before life got in the way and haven't had a chance to get back to it.Had a few bugs but could work around.Supports live view and other camera functions through computer. I quickly scanned their website and it appears they are getting ready to release a new version. Food for thought. regards coffeecup57 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1804 Posts |
Truth is I have no idea how to do much with picture taking. That said, my camera is about 8 years old. I sell a few coins on ebay, place the pics in my HP picture file, then up load to ebay. I use a $25, over head rig, with Halogen 90w light bulb. To get a few good shots I sometimes shoot 50 shots. No try-pod. Just keep the best. Throw out the rest. I have better luck selling on ebay when I offer many pics. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,937 |
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Posted 01/31/2014 3:46 pm
