Asking Price:
$635
I have created a new coin photography system based on a couple of prototypes synergized into a system with excellent range and image quality.
The first system I built many years ago was a very flexible one that I named "Santoku", which means "three uses" in Japanese. First use was with bellows; Second use was with a Bausch & Lomb Monozoom-7 microscope; and Third use was with direct mounting of camera and macro lens. The stand provided the function of a fine-focus capable copy stand.
A few years later, on another forum, a member asked how to put together a coin photography system for <$400. I replied with a recommendation for camera, lens, focusing helicoid, etc that came out to <$400 and could provide excellent image quality. The recommendation included a small Tripod for mounting the camera, since the copy stand alone would blow the $400 budget.
I have now (finally) combined the two systems into one...Santoku stand, with camera, helicoid and lens like the <$400 system. I'm including a better lens than was originally specified (originally Nikon 75mm El-Nikkor; new offering Rodenstock 75mm Apo Rodagon D), and along with the stand this makes the system much more than $400, but for a camera, fine focus copy stand, and high quality macro lens, this is still a pretty good bargain.
Santoku is my Example System-7 on my website. Here's a link to show some of the features of Santoku
http://www.macrocoins.com/santoku.html
This link is to the original <$400 setup thread, which is still very active on the other forum:
https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...OPIC_ID=158182
And here is a link to a thread with some posts regarding the first Santoku I sold, configured with a bellows:
https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...OPIC_ID=156715
Santoku can be adjusted to frame the full range of US coins, from a bit larger than ASE's down to 3-Cent Silver (at 1:1 magnification).
The Santoku system is $635, and includes:
Canon Rebel XS DSLR with Live View control and Image Editing Software
Focusing Helicoid
Rodenstock 75mm Apo Rodagon D 1:1 macro lens (fixed aperture version)
Camera and lens adapters
Modified Bausch & Lomb microscope Copy Stand