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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;-jeffB, post: 1665287, member: 27832&quot;]I shoot with a Canon 100mm (non-L) macro lens, and the lens is by no means my limiting factor -- the things I most need to improve are my camera support (I&#039;d like a real &quot;copy stand&quot;), my lighting, and my general skill level.</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;m about ready to upgrade from my nearly-10-year-old 20D to a T4i, but I don&#039;t expect it to make much difference in my coin photos. (I want the high ISO and video capabilities, along with the 18-135mm STM as a &quot;walk around without 20 pounds of gear&quot; lens.) I wouldn&#039;t even consider upgrading to a better macro lens at this point -- yes, the L macro is superior, but the one I&#039;ve got is probably my best lens already (certainly better than my 100-400L).</p><p><br /></p><p>If I were starting from scratch with coin photography as my main goal, I would either stick with the kit lens or get a nice prime (non-zoom) lens, get a cheap set of <i>extension tubes</i> (which let a normal lens focus more closely), get a good copy stand, and get a few lights that I can arrange as I like.</p><p><br /></p><p>No lens upgrade will help you capture luster or color. Those are entirely a product of light direction and distribution. And as for making the final image bright instead of dull and gray, that&#039;s lighting, too, but also exposure compensation (which can be set in your camera) and post-processing (using Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or even a simple brightness/contrast adjustment tool).</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;d say &quot;good luck&quot;, but I don&#039;t think you need it. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> Study, practice, and experiment![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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