I have a canon powershot S5 IS and i am looking to get a macro lens for coin photography. I'm not sure what lens to buy or if there is anyhting els ei need to go with it. I have heard of tubes and other stuff. I was wondering if there was a forum or site i should look that, that could giv eme specifics on my camera
Extension Tubes are for cameras with interchangeable lenses, and your Canon Powershot does not fall into that category. However, it's capable of getting quite close on it's own. If you want, you can add a 58mm Canon 500D close-up lens to get even higher magnifications, but it's a $80 accessory.
my firend had this same camera on a stand hooked to his computer and it took great pics. I'm trying to figure out what i need to recreate his setup
You may wish to ask your friend! I can't really help you with the specifics of your camera -- I use Nikon gear except for those odd occasions when I want to make a really big print (24"+). Then I'll use a Pentax 645n film camera. Here's a link to a pretty good generic "How to" page. As the page explains, the keys to good coin photography are focus, eliminating motion, and lighting. http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/coin_photography.htm Your camera's Macro and Super-Macro settings will let you get the right focus, but you may find you need to focus manually for top results. Motion elimination is perhaps 80% gear and 20% technique. Lighting is a lifetime study -- at times I've gotten great results with desk lamps, gaff tape, and plastic leftover containers, and at times I've gotten rotten results with near state-of-the-art close-up flashes.
