| Author |
 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,017 |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I have been wanting to get better pictures of the coins I have been posting, of course .. maybe I need better coins. Either way, last night I bought a Canon lens off ebay. It is not scheduled to get here until next week. http://www.ebay.com/itm/30166518671...RK:MEBIDX:ITI have a rebel XT (8 MP). I am guessing .. or hoping I will get better pictures with just using this new lens. But I have been thinking of upgrading the camera too. looking at the Canon T5i 700D. Is there a lot of difference between the Rebel T5 and the T5i? I do have the Canon Bellows and the Nikon lens, but never figured out how to set it up correctly. My other thought was to use the XT body with the Bellows, get it set up and just leave it set up. I guess I am hoping for some opinions if I am heading in right direction. Edited by GR58
06/19/2015 10:04 pm
|
|
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I bought a used T2i a while back and got tired of breaking down my set up every time I wanted to shoot photos other than coins. So now I have an XS body that I picked up dedicated to coin photography. I've put together a set up similar to what rmpsrpms builds using a modified B & L stereo microscope stand with a Canon bellows & EL 75mm enlarging lens. (thanks Ray)
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
4593 Posts |
First off you will LOVE this lens. I own one and it is AWESOME!
The newer cameras do more, but if you are going to setup a dedicated coin photo setup, you don't need 85% of the new features.
You may find it easier to crop with more MP, but - well, your 1080 monitor is only 2MP...
If you are near a big city, you might be able to rent a newer camera body and see if it really helps. Or buy used, a couple generations back. I'm consiered 'modern' with a T3i.
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
9162 Posts |
My suggestion is to run every thing you want to use in a thread here and see what the pros say about them fitting together. Don't buy till you know.
Every thing I got was done this way and most was put togther by Ray and I don't have extra parts.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
9395 Posts |
My first non-film coin photos (back in 2004) with a Canon 10D DSLR were taken using the 100mm Canon Macro lens. It works well, but needs extension tubes to go past 1x magnification.
I currently use a setup similar to the one recommended here at CCF -- Canon T2i DSLR + Bellows + Bellows lens (instead of an enlarger lens).
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
11951 Posts |
Quote:
The newer cameras do more, but if you are going to setup a dedicated coin photo setup, you don't need 85% of the new features. I wasn't thinking of using the new camera for the dedicated coin photo setup, I was thinking of using the camera I currently have the rebel XT, if I can get setup and working good. If this lens works on a newer body, like the T5i/700D, then I would use it for quick photo,s. And for other than coin photos. Working another post, I did purchase all the parts needed to set up the Camera/bellow/lens. The problem is, I am not at a skill level to make the correct settings and sort of a pain for me when I want to use the camera for taking pictures other than coins. Edited by GR58
06/19/2015 10:02 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
Problem is the XT does not have Live View, which IMO is a must for coin photography. I'd suggest using the XT for walkaround photography, and get an XS or later model with Live View for coins. The 100mm macro will work with both of them.
Contact me for photographic equipment or visit my home page at: http://macrocoins.com |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
That answers that question for me, thank you.
I have read some of these post and thought it would be
nice to use the live view, but the software would not
quire the camera.
It might be a good time, for me to get another camera.
|
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
First, that was a fantastic price for a 100mm Macro. You've done well if you can find a used one for $400, much less the price paid.
The T5 is less expensive version of the T5i, although it uses the same 18MP sensor. It has lesser capabilities - lower max ISO, slower burst shooting, fewer pixels in the viewfinder, lacks the articulated screen - but for coin photography it gives up nothing to its' more expensive brother. Heck, in all but certain extreme cases it's just as good a "regular" camera as well.
Your existing XT will take excellent images with the 100mm Macro, as good as anyone else's, just not with the tethered shooting process we prefer.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Thanks for the good information SD. I am looking forward to seeing if this new lens will improve my picture taking. I have been looking on ebay for cameras this past week. Looking at Canon T5, T4i and T5i. I think I am leaning toward the T5i. Thinking the T5i might have some features I might like ... might use .. for other than coin photos. The cameras I have been looking at seem to range from $400 to $690. Some are used, some in kits. Trying to find a balance between newer model camera and what might be a better lens. Of course I am no expert on what lens is better. The sellers seem to "talk up" the IS lens. Some of the T5i kits have a STM lens. For coin pictures, I hope to find one easy to use. And the live tethered software is something I really want to try. If I do purchase a T5i, will the 100 MM lens I just purchased be the best ... to use for coins? |
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I have nothing but the highest of praise for the Canon 100mm Macro. It's as sharp as any lens on the market, and will shoot at a quality equal to the bellows rigs we like here. All it lacks is the adjustability of a bellows rig. On any camera it will deliver the mail for you. There isn't a lens which "outclasses" it at any price. We talk little about it here because it costs as much as a complete imaging system, but it's my first and only firm recommendation for an autofocusing macro lens.
There is an IS version for a whole bunch more money - close to $1000 - but that one's no sharper and the use case for IS in macro photography is pretty narrow.
You may match that lens' abilities but you're not going to exceed them.
|
| |
Replies: 10 / Views: 2,017 |
|
Posted 06/19/2015 8:40 pm
