coin size item photography lens recommendations

[jesbroken]

Hello,

I am new to the board and new to my camera. I have a Canon eos rebel T6 with an ef 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens and an efs-s 18-55mm zoom lens that came with the kit. My question is that before I spend the money for a macro lens, can I in the meantime take photos of coins size items. This camera may be over my head, but I bought it with the plans of tethering it to my pc and taking photos on a camera stand of small items, coins included. I am just beginning to learn the menu and selection process so I am truly a newbie. Thanks in advance for your help.

Jim 

[kvbarkley]

The EF-S 60mm macro is an excellent value. You can get a refurbished one from Canon for $380:

[jesbroken]

Wow. Great photo's Rodger. Thanks for sharing. BTW, what flower are those?

Jim

[jesbroken]

Truly great explanation, Waddizzle. Thank you, I get the useage strengths and weakness now of the tubes. I'll try out the macro lens when I get it and if no good(again a knockoff) I'll be better able to pursue my options. 

Thanks again. Great forum. So glad I stumbled across it. You guys are the best.

Jim

[wq9nsc]

Jim,

Those are Moss roses, very attractive to bees and extremely easy to grow.

Looking forward to seeing some coin photography from you!

Rodger

[RobertTheFat]

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@wq9nsc wrote:

Jim,

Those are Moss roses, very attractive to bees and extremely easy to grow.

...

Rodger

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Is that one of the flowers that appear much gaudier to insects who can see ultraviolet light?

[jesbroken]

Just out of curiosity. Are the plants readily available in spring? I'm in Southern WV above 3000 ft. I will try them this spring if I can locate the plants. Not a horticulturist by any means. So probably won't try seeds. Again, gorgeous photos. 

Jim

[wq9nsc]

Bob,

I don't know whether insects are particularly attracted to this plant but the honey bees definitely liked them.  Back in 2005 when I took that photo, there was a huge population but parasites and pesticides have taken a toll and now you are more likely to see a bumble bee than a honey bee in the area.  I have 6 acres with a creek running through it and clover grows around it; back in those years every time I mowed the bees would land on me.

Jim, I don't really have a green thumb either but Moss rose are easy to grow from seeds or transplant and they are robust little plants that withstand all kinds of weather.

Rodger

[ebiggs1]

"Wow. Great photo's Rodger."

Ditto! 

[ebiggs1]

"... I bought a chinese knockoff just to try it out."

Do you know the acronym GIGO?  It applies to photography, too.

"...just didn't have near enough available funds."

You just described and are in the largest section of the economy.  The problem is now you spent X dollars on a piece of junk and are going to later buy a better lens.  That is false economy.  There is a Chinese proverb, since we are on the subject, "Buy the best and cry once."

[jesbroken]

I do understand the proverb(if such). I once owned a Minolta and purchased a knockoff telephoto lens for $8 and took many, many photos of Nascar races and it worked fine. Upon quitting following Nascar due to health reasons, I finally gave the camera to a family member and he used it for years. For the sake of the conversation. I paid $21.99 less a $10 ebay credit, so I got $22 to lose vs NOT having $2-4 hundred to spend. Not a big gamble, my opinion. Plus, if it shouldn't perform I am guaranteed my money back and it was freight free. Trust me, I wanted better, but did as I could do. I will now, at least, know whether I can live with or without one.

Jim