Recommend me a Camera

[Dejay1788]

I know very little about photography but want to take better pictures for our business.

We sell jewellery through our website at the moment and currently use an iPhone to take our product photo's. Whilst they look okay, I know (from checking out other websites selling similar products) that we can and should be doing much better.

I'm looking for something that isn't overly complex as this will be the first time using a proper camera in years, and it needs to be suitable for taking close up images.

I'm also looking for a light box for the same purpose, so if anybody has any recommendations for either we would appreciate it.

Thank you.

[Simpo Two]

The camera's the easy bit, it's the lighting and processing that will be hard. If you get stuck and decide to put the work out, drop me a line.

[MysteryLemon]

Yup, its not so much the camera that is letting you down, it's the lack of photography knowledge and technique.

Save the money on a camera and pay a local photographer to do it. Buying a fancy camera won't get you better pictures.

[RobDickinson]

Any slr made since 2002,tripod, any macro lens made that fits on said camera, a light tent, 2 lamps with daylight bulbs.

+ a touch of knowledge and skill.

[Monty Python]

Budget?

[rolex]

A bridge camera may suffice they're highly recommended here.

[sgrimshaw]

For the light box, something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Portable-Photo-Stud...

[gck303]

RobDickinson said:

Any slr made since 2002,tripod, any macro lens made that fits on said camera, a light tent, 2 lamps with daylight bulbs.

+ a touch of knowledge and skill.

I agree.

Start with an old DSLR, such as a Nikon D200, and the standard lens. see if this will work. I suggest that you would want to mount this on a tripod, as you will need long exposure times without proper lighting.

If this does not get you close enough, then you may want a proper macro lens. Incidentally a macro lens is little more than a normal lens that has inbuilt extension tubes to allow it to focus very close. Either manual or auto focus will work on the D200.

You are likely to find focusing tricky. Your depth of field will be very narrow, and the viewing screen not overly helpful, especially if your eyes are poor.

Once you have got on top of all that, then you can turn your attention to the lighting!

[Dejay1788]

Thanks lads.

I don't really want to outsource this task, due to the fact that I have over 400 products currently, and introduce new stock daily. I fear that getting a pro to do this would cost me a fortune. I also want to learn to do this myself.

I have a similar lightbox to that in the ebay link already, the lamps are quite poor.

[Simpo Two]

400 items of jewellery - possibly the hardest product due to small size and shiny bits - ah'm oot!

Can't the supplier supply photos?