Yet another photo thread.

I use a Canon Rebel DSLR camera body but most any DSLR camera body will do. The lens is the most important part. That's where you want to put your money. I chose the Sigma 150 Macro lens. It's pretty heavy and you need a really sturdy copy stand. What I really like is that the lens mounts to the copy stand instead of the camera body mounting to the stand. It's well balanced and there is very little camera shake. I don't even need to lock the camera mirror to get great results. The only problem is the price of the lens and the stand.
These images are an example of the results.

 

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The stands are crazy priced, if you can find a decent one. I look for older, more sturdy models. I used to see them everywhere but they've become scarce.

 

Crazy prices is right. I'm not seeing any heavy duty stands right now.

 

It's not hard to make something similar out of wood. That's what I did. Cost is basically zero.

 

I use this. Nikon D610 body, 105/4 manual focus Micro-Nikkor mounted (for slab shots and large stuff like medals), 200/4 AF Micro-Nikkor on the side for normal coin shots. Gooseneck lamps I can pose, pick up and move as needed. I didn't realize how hard these are to find until I tried looking for a replacement for one that broke on me (the nearly perfect match on the right I found at Goodwill for $7 after striking out elsewhere). Copy stand is a Kaiser RS-1. At shows I use a Feisol carbon fiber tripod with the mast inverted instead of a copy stand. It works very well for something that I can easily transport in a carry-on.

 

Great setup. Those gooseneck lamps are scarce! I've seen a few in antique shops but not in thrift anymore.

 

I was thinking of making something out of old gas pipe or conduit. If I can get the distance set and locked down the camera can do the rest.