Does anyone use a copy stand for macro work?

southernjessie

southernjessie

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I'm thinking of getting one (as opposed to using a tripod) as I can use it for macro and photographing old photos for electronic backup.

Kaiser seem to be the go-to manufacturer for copy stands. I was just wondering if anyone uses a copy stand and what has been your experience using it?
 
I've got a Kaiser RS-1 with RA-1 attachment....brilliant bit of engineering. I also picked up an RS-2 when I saw it going cheap.....suitable for a smaller camera but much less precise and sready.
 
The RS1 looks really nice but it's certainly not cheap. I guess I have to weigh up how much use I will make of it to justify the money.

Anything to be aware of when using a copy stand, Bob? Is it pretty easy and intuitive to use?

Canon Bob said:
I've got a Kaiser RS-1 with RA-1 attachment....brilliant bit of engineering. I also picked up an RS-2 when I saw it going cheap.....suitable for a smaller camera but much less precise and sready.
Click to expand...
 
Years ago I managed to acquire a lightly used RS1 and RA-1 and it just works, no fuss no bother. I have used it over the year to copy large number of mostly old photos and lots of water colour paintings. Have always wanted to set it up for longer term macro projects, but don't currently have enough space to leave it set up for weeks on end.
 
southernjessie said:
The RS1 looks really nice but it's certainly not cheap. I guess I have to weigh up how much use I will make of it to justify the money.

Anything to be aware of when using a copy stand, Bob? Is it pretty easy and intuitive to use?
Click to expand...
It's isn't the cheapest but it's clear why it;s the price that it is when you use it.

It's very intuitive, perhaps too much so. My only ritual is to thoroughly check that the lens axis is perpendicular to the base. For the first subject/document/photo, fill the frame and check focus on opposite extremities rather than using the centre of the frame. Once that's set, you're good to go.
 
Thanks for the replies - they are really helpful. It's not something I even knew about before but makes sense if used for a number of years.
 
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