Despite the fact that I'm flat broke, I was lucky enough to get a beautiful new Nikon D5200 for my birthday a few months back.
It has a lovely Tamron DiII AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR lens.
Finally, after months, I actually found time to open the box and start reading the manual and firing off a few test shots.
As I'd really like it to use for my coin pics I know I need a descent macro lens as the min focus length with my lens is 45cm. (I know Troutski uses a Tamron SP AF90 F/2.8 Macro with great results).
Unfortunately they're a bit beyond my finance level so I thought I'd ask you pros for some advice on possible alternatives etc.
With my finances I can probably get one using "Hardly Normal's" interest free terms, but don't really want to get ripped off in the process. (I had an idea that they had the Tamron macros like Troutski's available, but thought they were around $900).
Here's a link to HN's web page for lenses. Are there any here that would suit? (Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but I have no idea).
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/cameras-printers-stationary/camera-accessories/lenses?p=1 (http://www.harveynorman.com.au/cameras-printers-stationary/camera-accessories/lenses?p=1)
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
An after thought ....... is there any way I can manually adjust my current lens to have a closer focus distance?
My son has bought a Canon EFS 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM with an additional three year guarantee for $528.95 which is far less than the price on your above link.
The lens was bought from Ted's Camera Store at Highpoint here in Melbourne.
I can make enquiries if they are prepared to do another "out of sale" sale for you if you like.
PM me if interested.
Hi Goldie, thanks heaps for the info and the offer to enquire for me.
I was really hoping to be able to get an altrernative version at Harvey Norman using their interest free terms (which is about the extent of my budget at the moment).
I've found some Tamrons on ebay like Trouts ranging from the $275 (secondhand) to $400 (new) but buying outright might have to wait for quite a while yet.
Another question for the pros ..... on my lens box (after the specs in the OP) it says "LD Aspherical (IF) Macro" ....... I might have to do some reading to get my head around what that means, or perhaps someone might convert that to english for me.
Hello,
Have a look on Ebay for Opteka. They are a lens maker, and you will be able to get an adapter that will screw onto your existing Lens. They also make large Zoom lens's for an affordable price. They have a screw thread, and you screw on an adapter for your brand of Camera body. I have a few Lens's and consider them to be good value, and worth a look.
The alternative is extension tubes, Set of three Metal Body with Elec Contacts Meiki comes to mind about $60 on the bay.
Will do the job with your standard lense set at 55mm, the min focus
distance of 490mm will probably limit filling the sensor for full coin shots but the 24mp sensor should still catch plenty of detail.
When you do get the Dedicated Tamron 90mm Macro the tubes can be used on it as well turning it into a Longer Lense (Good for extra close).
Thanks for the info Gents!!! Very helpful.
I think extension tubes is worth looking at. Don't even think about a teleconverter.
Thanks Jeff.
I've gone with FP's suggestion. $52.95 for Meike Electronic Mount Auto Focus Macro Extension Tube Set Ring for Nikon DSLR. :yahoo:
Thanks again!!!!!
I am not sure what I paid for my macro lens but it was nowhere near $900, more like $400 from memory and I got it from eBay new.
I have a set of Kenko extension tubes and find them excellent.!:angel:
Quote from: 'trout' pid='74804' dateline='1435087690'I am not sure what I paid for my macro lens but it was nowhere near $900, more like $400 from memory and I got it from eBay new.
Yes, the $900 was a figure I recall from Harvey Norman, they always seem to have stuff marked at RRP. There's was a few places on ebay that had them around the $400 mark for new ones which is so much better.
Fortunately the extension tubes fitted the finances (they'll now be my Fathers Day present come early).
Can't wait for them to arrive!
A lot of fun can be had with a new camera setup, Enjoy :yahoo:
Thanks Trout, I can't wait to read enough of the manual to understand what all the bells and whistles mean. It's like a plane's instrument panel!!
Did you get a tripod or a stand with the camera?
Unfortunately not and I know I'm going to need one. I might have to go out to the shed and whip something up once the tubes arrive and I work out the best focus distance.
Quote from: 'Unicorn' pid='74811' dateline='1435105916'Thanks Trout, I can't wait to read enough of the manual to understand what all the bells and whistles mean. It's like a plane's instrument panel!!
And you don't realy need to know that much to set up and start shooting. Set camera to Aperture Priority Mode, Set Aperture to F8, set ISO to 400, set Metering mode to spot, White Balance to Auto to start with, manual setting after you become comfortable with gear.
The D5200 Nikon has live view support and the
Free software
digicamcontrol is reported to work with it.
http://digicamcontrol.com/supported_cameras/d5200
(Control My Nikon will also work but costs)
You wil need a solid Tri-Pod to shoot full face coins.
Thanks heaps FP!
Well I finally finished building my camera stand and have taken my first pics using FP's settings above. (Set camera to Aperture Priority Mode, Set Aperture to F8, set ISO to 400, set Metering mode to spot, White Balance to Auto).
For these I had 2 extention tubes connected (36mm + 20mm).
Camera was set to auto focus and I used my external shutter release gizmo.
Obviously I have quite a bit to work on, but pretty happy with the first results.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11067/test01.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11067/test02.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11067/test03.jpg)
Here's a couple of pics of my contraption.
Camera bar moves +/- 60cm horizontal and +/- 90cm vertical (for those large group shots).
El-cheapo lighting box of 200 white LEDs $13 (yes folks, it's Christmas all year round now). It fits under the horizontal bar etc allowing the camera lens into it. Going to muck around with the height of the lighting more now. The photos above were taken with it where it is shown. (Although I found a better coin stand than my tube of dynasteel ..... the clothes line base from little Uni's dolls house was perfect).
Comes apart with four screws (2 arrowed) into 7 pieces (2 vertical bars, 2 horizontal bars, camera bar & 2 ends) and fits easily under a bed.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11067/stand1.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11067/stand2.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11067/stand3.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11067/stand4.jpg)
Gee dad so what's me little mate gonna do now :cray:
Dare ya to go pinch Mrs Uni's clothes line :winkextra: bet I know where you'd get a swift kick too :blink::laugh2:
Lookin good Uni so now just need more lights and your all set mate :good:
also looks like chrissie is out since ya pinch the chrissie lights :fie:
But serious mate just be careful they don't melt the foam box or catch it on fire as the tinsel near went up on our tree one year so no more lights on the chrissie tree for us.
Now that's (http://i58.tinypic.com/ip39f9.jpg)
Try using the Manual Focus, It is Better by a long shot :good:
I took these today using manual focusing with a Nikon D3200 and a Tamron lens.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10019/33c.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10019/33c1.jpg)
I'll get the bucket of water ready AJ :laugh2: (I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas ..... ).
Thanks Trout, I'll give that a run when I do my next set.
Uni
what the heck are those fairy lights for?
:laugh2: .... That's my whole lighting set up RG!
200 lights are better than 1 ..... (well cheaper for me at this stage, so this is the pensioner version of coin lighting).
how do you take the photo?
is it remote?
if that were my set up i'd probably set my hair on fire
the lighting would be brilliant for 20 seconds that i'm screaming for someone to throw a bucket of water on me though!! haha
"Necessity is the mother of invention." Very innovative Uni. Look forward to your progress.
Quote from: 'Unicorn' pid='77698' dateline='1439462247'I'll get the bucket of water ready AJ :laugh2: (I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas ..... ).
Thanks Trout, I'll give that a run when I do my next set.
:laugh2: now that could be a shocking experience Uni :D
Don't know if I can wait until chrissie as some rain would be nice now, it's just so dry ATM :-/
Quote from: 'robbiegal' pid='77703' dateline='1439464234'how do you take the photo?
is it remote?
:laugh2: ... I can visualise the hair on fire RG ..... quick press the button!!! (We'd have to rename you "Flash").
Yes, have a lovely and very inexpensive ($13.90 incl. postage) cabled shutter release remote which seems to work quite well.
Quote from: 'Robster' pid='77707' dateline='1439470148'"Necessity is the mother of invention." Very innovative Uni. Look forward to your progress.
Thanks Robster, yes the only thing I had to buy (apart from the camera accessories .... tubes & remote) were the Christmas lights. Had everything else laying around, so it worked out pretty cheap and the camera mounts as solid as a rock on the hardwood bar.
Quote from: 'robbiegal' pid='77699' dateline='1439462580'Uni
what the heck are those fairy lights for?
Nearly my first thoughts but with a somewhat more expletive tone.
Congratulations you have entered the dSLR devotees.
There is a real problem with focus that needs to be addressed.
Being a Zoom lens they are known to at times to suffer from "Zoom Creep" and with your setup having the lense pointing at the ground I'm assuming your lense is altering it's zoom during the focus stage.
A quick fix may be achieved by using a small strip of electrical adhesive tape placed over the preset zoom ring which should stop the "Creep".
From the Tech Spec's of the lense Tamron do state that it is fitted with a Zoom Lock on the barrel, if it can be set at the desired length
then use it.
The Zoom Locks I have encounted only locked at minimum zoom.
Do the mod, the focus is No1 priority.
Thanks FP, I really appreciate your assistance.
I hope to do some more practice pics over the weekend.
Quote from: 'Fordprefect' pid='77741' dateline='1439525738'The Zoom Locks I have encounted only locked at minimum zoom.
Just read the paperwork, 100% correct for this lense too.
Just a thought, but if it was my combo I'd start by removing the extension tubes set the lens to its maximum zoom, focus shoot and then proceed if the image turns out to be not so flash.
Until now lt is only assumption that the long zoom is not ideal for coin imaging.(Probably correct though)
The other critical item is the distance the camera back, (where the sensor is) is in fact the 450mm minimum distance from the coin you wish to image. There is no wriggle room in this distance, greater by a mm or two is o'k but anything less is a BIG NO NO.
Thanks for that. I can see I'll be reading your posts quite a few times over the next few days. (Gee I wish my short term memory wasn't so terrible.)