Lens recommendation for photographing rare early small coins

V8burble

V8burble

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Andrew
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More archive shots required but this time very old coins (silver mostly) so need a close focus lens but which? It must allow close focus, of a focal length that doesn't distort to any real degree and resolve great detail and sharp images.

All tripod mounted work and studio lighting so base iso and small aperture :thumbs:

Nikon FX body ;)
 
Thanks :)

The coins are about the size of a 5p piece, do you think I'll be able to fill a frame with the 60mm?
 
I use the 105mm 2.8 G Macro and I am very pleased with the results. I photographed a £1 coin and had no problem getting the whole thing in the frame, I actually managed to get a lot closer than that. Very sharp lens and great working distance
 
If budget allows take a look at the 70-180mm Micro Nikkor. They're discontinued and not easy to find but they're brilliant macro lenses and the ability to frame via zoom makes these kind of jobs a snip. You can often find one or two on eBay but they do tend to go for in excess of £1k for a good example.
 
At macro distances filling the frame has nothing to do with focal length except to ensure you have sufficient working distance.

That said, if you're looking to get as much magnification as possible without excessive amounts of fuss, the 105VR + TC-20 will get you to 2x magnification, which should be enough to nearly fill the frame with a 5p piece.
 
Yes, I was looking at the min focus distance of the 60mm and just wondered what area that would cover with 60mm focal length... I haven't looked at the specs of the 105mm yet TBH.
 
A set of macro extension tubes will get you in closer than 1:1 when paired with a humble 50mm. You can get third party offerings, like Meike, AF with cpu info, for about £50 on amazon. I used them before I bought the 105mm Nikon. They can be used on a macro lens too for more intense detail.
 
I took this with a humble Sigma 50mm macro. All of those mentioned above are rated more than this lens, so I don't think you'll have a problem with any macro lens.
 
Cagey75 said:
A set of macro extension tubes will get you in closer than 1:1 when paired with a humble 50mm. You can get third party offerings, like Meike, AF with cpu info, for about £50 on amazon. I used them before I bought the 105mm Nikon. They can be used on a macro lens too for more intense detail.
Click to expand...

Have to agree.

I wouldn't even entertain the thought of a macro lens just for coins.

Ex tubes. Tripod. Jobs a good'en!
 
Have you tried a decent flatbed scanner? It's the lazy way as you can do several at a time :)
 
V8burble said:
Yes, good point chaps I hadn't even considered simple ext tubes... it's well worth a try for sure.
Click to expand...

A regular lens with tubes will be soft at the edges and probably introduce distortion. Depends how picky you are, but it's flat, small, critical subjects like stamps and coins that show what pukka macros can do, right to the edges.

You need a bit of working distance too, so prolly longer is better. Try some oblique lighting to show surface relief.
 
A few shots.

F8
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F8
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F2.8 (which you will not get with dedicated macro lenses)
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F16 (least sharp aperture and still sharp at the edges).
533727_10152291749075305_1089547643_n.jpg


Set-up:
62215_10152291749975305_1543210987_n.jpg


Working distance a about 1:1.5
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If I took more time I could make a better set-up. I would probably have the coin on a white sheet with 2 flashes heavily diffused either side.

Hope that helps.
Phil.
 
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We've the Sigma 50mm Macro lens and are very happy with it and would certainly recommend one. Cheaper than a 100mm etc and if it's for coins, then doesn't matter that you'll need to be closer to it... Certainly worth a look at
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and valued comments.

Lighting, yes absolutely I have that sorted beautifully with oblique lighting from both sides and a top fill.

As museum archive shots they are completely square on shots of each face showing the relief detail to its best.

I am decided (I think) to just hire a 105mm macro for the job (it's a common lens with the well known lens hire chaps) and see if it's worth a purchase should this become more frequent... which is very likely as this area of my business appears to be growing. I can think of a few more uses whilst I've got it too to make the most of having it.
 
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