For Sale | Lincoln Cent Photography Setup

[ray_parkhurst]

I've built a photo setup specifically for Lincoln Cent overall, detail and variety shots. It includes the following:

- Vivitar Bellows
- Vivitar Macro Stand
- Nikon 63mm f2.8 Lens
- Nikon 4x Objective
- Camera adapter for either Nikon or Nikon+Canon
- M42 Lens adapter
- M42-M39 Lens adapter
- M42-RMS Cone-shaped objective adapter

This setup's a little different from what I've been building for folks in that it does not include a microscope stand. Instead it makes use of the Vivitar Macro Stand accessory for the bellows system. The bellows mounts directly to the stand for support. This results in the smallest possible setup that takes up very little room on a desktop.

I've taken pics of the setup configured for full-Cent imaging using the 63mm lens, and for variety imaging with the objective. I also took some pics with the setup of a 1956-D Cent, using one light. Here are the pics:

Configured for full Cent shots:


Configured for Variety shots:


Overall Image of Cent with 63mm lens:


Detail Image of Cent with 63mm lens:


Variety Image of Cent with 4x objective (single image, not stacked) at lowest magnification:


Variety Image of Cent with 4x objective (single image, not stacked) at highest magnification:


Note that neither of the variety shots was stacked. You can achieve a better result by taking two or more shots focused on different areas of the image and using a stacking program to combine them.

What is NOT included in this setup is a camera or lighting (I recommend a pair of IKEA Jansjo gooseneck LEDs with some diffusion). I recommend a Canon camera, either Rebel XS or T2i. Others will work as well but they should have Live View so you can tether the camera to a PC for control and live focusing.

If you want a turnkey setup, I can include a Canon XS body, battery and charger, software and tethering cable, plus two Jansjo LED lights for additional $250.

Shipping is additional $15 for USPS Large Flat Rate box in the US. Outside the US please email for shipping estimate.

[ray_parkhurst]

Stand is still available. Will accept $270 or trade value in OBW wheat cent rolls...Ray

[ray_parkhurst]

Stand is sold

I will be posting another similar stand for sale. I have had a few inquiries about this one and am wondering if there should be any changes to the next one? Would appreciate any feedback on the concept and any customizations folks would like to see. I can also build a full-custom stand to user specs...

One thing I did not mention about this recent stand is that by removing the "macrophotographic" base you can attach the bellows and lens onto a tripod or focus rail for "normal" macro work.

If I don't hear from folks on preferences, I'll post a similar stand in the next few days...Ray

[ray_parkhurst]

OK, no preferences stated so I built up another, identical stand with same lenses and adapters. Let's keep the price at $270. Let me know any questions or requests for customization...Ray

edited to add: In addition to OBW wheats (good luck, right?) I need quite a few RPMs. I'm looking for BU examples. If you have extras and are interested in the stand or just in trading in general, let me know and I'll shoot you my want list...Ray

[ray_parkhurst]

Second stand has been sold! Thanks very much.

I have built another stand and it's ready to go for $270.

I want to emphasize this stand is different from previous setups I've sold over last couple years. I described the differences in another thread but it's worth repeating here to make sure anyone buying this setup will be getting what they want...

I tailor my setups for specific purposes, which usually means specific magnification ranges. The more recent setups are geared more toward smaller coins, and higher magnifications. It should make logical sense that larger coins require larger setups to photograph, as it all scales fairly linearly. This is true for the focal length of the lens as well.

The more recent setups have a 63mm EL-Nikkor lens, which is excellent for smaller size coins. I also took advantage of the standard macro stand made by Vivitar for their bellows system, so the height of the setup is limited by the bellows itself. You can't go any higher than the length of the bellows. This is why the setup can only go to as big a coin as Nickels or possibly Quarters. But conversely, the shorter distances are well-suited for high magnification shots. Since I was not including a custom-modified microscope stand due to the availability of the Vivitar macro stand, I could include a Nikon 4x objective and adapter and still have the setup be a reasonable price. This adds a lot of functionality to the setup, especially for folks on this forum who are interested in full-coin shots of Lincoln Cents as well as high-magnification Variety shots.

The other type of setup is based on a modified microscope stand, which can raise the lens and camera higher than the Cent-targeted stand and thus allow larger coins to be photographed. I usually include a 75mm or 80mm lens with these stands rather than a 63mm to allow a wider range of larger coins. But the extra cost of the microscope stand is significant, and I don't normally include the Variety objective and adapter because of total cost.

There are other options available as well, so if you are interested you can PM me with your needs. I always ask a few basic questions when I get started with a custom setup design:

1) What magnification range (size of coins) will you photograph?
2) Will you photograph Varieties or only Full Coins ?
3) What camera will you use?
4) What overall quality level are you looking for (mainly affects choice of lens)?

[ray_parkhurst]

Third stand is still available...

[ray_parkhurst]

This setup is still available. I have parts to build just one more of these, then I'm out of the superb 63mm EL-Nikkors...Ray

[ray_parkhurst]

Third stand is still available at $270...Ray