Camera/lense recommendations for shooting Jewellery

[tyranical]

Hi All,

Me/My Girlfriend have an ebay business going selling jewellery, currently we use supplier photos but would like to start taking our own - I've tried with point and shoot cameras and my phone neither of which really give me what I want due to the tiny size of much of it (Things like small stud earrings). I have made a light box and bought some daylight bulbs etc which have helped.

I have been researching all over the internet and also been to a camera shop but still cannot make my mind up what I need?

The general consensus from what I find online is I would be best with an entry DSLR such as a Nikon D3200, the standard 18-55mm would be ok but I may be better with a macro lens of some sort and a cheapo tripod.

something like this:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras/digital-camer...

But no idea at all on lenses the numbers confuse me.

Everywhere online I have read has recommended this sort of camera but when I went into the actual camera shop I was recommended a panasonic lumix something or other bridge camera which he demonstrated to me and to be fair it wasn't bad but I couldn't make my mind up if he was genuinely being helpful or just trying to sell his second hand camera - people on the internet don't gain anything from their advice so I figured it is probably more accurate!

I am hoping someone here can point me to exactly what I should buy - budget is £4-500 and whatever I end up with will exclusively be used for this purpose I have no interest in normal photography my phone is more than adequate for normal day to day shots of life.

Note that I am not expecting to just buy a camera and instantly get good pictures I am aware (partially) of the learning curve involved and how difficult jewellery is to photograph effectively.

[markmullen]

In an ideal world you'd want something like a 90mm tilt shift lens and a body with liveview but they're going to come in way over budget, especially once you've added a sturdy tripod, grey card etc.

The good thing is for web use you don't need a massive resolution, so I'd look at getting a second hand body, something like a Canon 450D, which has liveview, as a guide MBP have one for £139, http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us...

Next a lens, the Canon 60mm Macro would be a good start, one here for £204, http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us...

Finally a tripod, this would be a good start, a three way head will allow you to accurately frame the shot, and the XDB has a centre column which angles over to allow you to get close in, http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us... for £119.

Get yourself a grey card, http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-pro-grey-white-bl... for less than four quid.

A cable release for a couple of quid off ebay, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/gib-Shutter-Remote-Cord-...




This setup will see you still under £500. If I was shooting jewellery like this I'd shoot tethered, that is with the camera connected to the computer so you can view the image on screen, much better than using a 3" LCD or the viewfinder. The 450D should come with the free Canon software to do that. Use the grey card to set yourself a custom white balance so that your lighting doesn't give a colour cast.

In time, or if I had more funds I'd upgrade the lighting, something like this Elinchrom kit will give you a much more controllable light, http://www.theflashcentre.com/d-lite-rx-one-softbo...


I used MBP as they have a good range of used gear and their prices seem pretty cheap, there are of course plenty of other suppliers.

Hope this helps.

[Simpo Two]

Lens to get the magnification you need. Lighting to get the look you need. The camera just records what happens. Lighting is what makes the difference, and shiny things need care.

What background do you envisage?

[tyranical]

Thanks for your responses so far guys.

Background will always be white (I have a light box for this) to make sure there is nothing in the image apart from the product, occassionally may be black to show a particular piece off but generally white and probably use a tile for a reflective look also.

Lighting I have currently is 2 100w desk lamps with true white bulbs (blue glass came from a craft shop), they do ok.

So is something like the D3200 plus a lense of some sort not what I want then? I liked what I read about the D3200 particularly the guide mode built in which tells you what it is your doing as i am pretty new to all this I think that would help me alot.

[markmullen]

A d3200 would do it, it's the lens which will be the issue. A macro or tilt shift lens would be ideal, they're more expensive hence my recommendation of used kit. Don't worry about guide mode, it probably isn't going to be much help with something specialist like jewellery macro photography. There are plenty of tutorials on line and similarly we'll help on here.

[richwig83]

You wont necessarily need a macro lens. Lighting is more important!

[tyranical]

I see, so the 18-55mm lense that comes with it is not going to be suitable for what I want?

If I was to go for something like a D3200 or D3100 what lense would you recommend, I have been browsing through amazon for the past hour and I am no better off on the lense front there is so much to choose from and so many different opinions and numbers and features I have no understanding of.

I hate cameras already after this and I haven't even bought one yet lol.

[creampuff]

Tripod, any macro lens, any DSLR.

Plus your lightbox.

[Simpo Two]

tyranical said:

I see, so the 18-55mm lense that comes with it is not going to be suitable for what I want?

If I was to go for something like a D3200 or D3100 what lense would you recommend, I have been browsing through amazon for the past hour and I am no better off on the lense front there is so much to choose from and so many different opinions and numbers and features I have no understanding of.

I hate cameras already after this and I haven't even bought one yet lol.

The standard 'kit' 18-55mm lens will probably cover an area about postcard size, maybe A5 (I'm guessing) - so unless you're trying to fill the screen with one diamond you could get away with it. Not great, but cheap.

The real problem is that you're trying to run a 100m sprint before you can stagger. Mark Mullen is telling you correct info but it's too far from what you know to be much use; it needs to be brought back to the level that someone who uses a mobile phone can understand.

Really, the best way to do it would be to take your budget and hand it to someone who can take the photos for you. You'll get much better photos much quicker.

[RobDickinson]

Mark has it spot on.

A canon 450d (any crop with live view), a 60 ef-s macro lens, tripod and I would suggest focus rails.

Also there is some handy tools to automate dof stacking which you should investigate.

The rest - most of it - is down to lighting.

[Simpo Two]

Do note, Rob, that the man has never heard of DOF or what it is let alone how to stack it...

I'm starting to think that a compact and a white tent will give him results that will be adequate for the job - this is eBay-land not Vogue... I presume. If you do want the shiny magazine look then defo buy someone in.

[andybuk99]

It isnt an easy thing to achieve quality results. I spend about an hour a shot after the initial setup time and then about the same retouching.

[tyranical]

andybuk99 said:

It isnt an easy thing to achieve quality results. I spend about an hour a shot after the initial setup time and then about the same retouching.

Hello,

Thanks for your response I think you are just the right person to advise me on this!

I am aware that it is going to take me months or years to get the pictures perfect and i'm really not striving for perfection or under any illusion that if I just buy some good kit I am going to be knocking out pictures like the one you have posted in a few snaps. That picture is wonderful by the way you are clearly really good at that sort of photograph!

What I want to do is get myself the right equipment to enable me with the enough time and practice to get some semi-professional looking pictures of jewellery, I am really not expecting to get the sort of quality you have posted there but if I could and it took me 5 hours a photo then I would do it. The photograph is the most important part of any ebay listing it is the one thing that people see and decide whether they click on yours or skip to the next one so it is really worth putting the time and effort into them to entice people into your listing where a good description can sell the item. Who knows in the future perhaps I will end up trying to find someone to take them for me but right now I am a small business and really want to give it a go myself.

Based on that, what equipment would you advise me to go for without going over the top?

I am pretty much set on the Nikon 3200 unless you can give me some really good reasons not to as everything I read and watch on it makes it sound like it is a really good entry level DSLR and perfect for someone like myself who is really just starting out, Body only I can get hold of one of these for around £250-£275 if I shop around.

In terms of lenses and lighting however I am really open to suggestions without being over the top expensive for someone in my position, of course if further down the line I feel further investment is required then I will happily spend more for the reasons mentioned above but for now I don't think it is required.

Currently for lighting just for info I do have a home made lightbox and some 100w lights with true daylight bulbs in (blue glassed ones from a craft shop), this alone made a massive difference to the pics I was taking on my phone.

As stated in the OP, I am willing to spend around £500 for now but will go a little more if really necessary.

[Mr Will]

Can I be the dissenting voice here and recommend a Fuji X20 (or similar) instead of the SLR. For macro product shots you are going to want as much depth of field as you can get and this is one place where a small-sensored compact excels. Add in a DIY softbox and a tabletop tripod and you'll get better photos than anything this side of a professional grade DSLR setup costing thousands.

[andybuk99]

Decent professional looking product images takes years of practice and lighting knowledge. Without sounding harsh I doubt many pro's will give away their hard earned secrets and knowledge to the general public as this jeopardises their own livelyhood. If this is your sole business I personally would employ a photographer to get the shots for you as "first impressions count". However if you are determined to give it a go there is no instant way to get good shots, it takes years of practice, may I suggest reading some lighting/product photography books to get an insight into how to use a camera correctly and lighting techniques. Maybe even join a camera club to gain knowledge and advice.

[tyranical]

andybuk99 said:

Decent professional looking product images takes years of practice and lighting knowledge. Without sounding harsh I doubt many pro's will give away their hard earned secrets and knowledge to the general public as this jeopardises their own livelyhood. If this is your sole business I personally would employ a photographer to get the shots for you as "first impressions count". However if you are determined to give it a go there is no instant way to get good shots, it takes years of practice, may I suggest reading some lighting/product photography books to get an insight into how to use a camera correctly and lighting techniques. Maybe even join a camera club to gain knowledge and advice.

I am really not sure whether people are not reading what I say or I am just not making myself clear as this is probably the 3rd response similar to this.

- I am not expecting to buy some starting equipment and suddenly start snapping like a pro in a week.

- I am not asking for anyones best kept secrets or to be told exactly how to take the pictures I desire.

- All I am asking for is for some guidance on what basic setup to start with.

[Bacardi]

tyranical said:

I am really not sure whether people are not reading what I say or I am just not making myself clear as this is probably the 3rd response similar to this.

To me, you sound rather ungrateful for an honest opinion that some people have taken the time and trouble to give you. If you have 5 hours to spare cobbling together one mediocre pic of your jewellery to promote your (valued?), business, rather than hiring someone who knows how to make your jewellery look amazing, by all means, knock yourself out. I'm sure an iPhone and light tent will be more than adequate.

[tyranical]

I am not being ungrateful at all but I am asking a very specific question regarding equipment recommendations and getting answers and advice on things i've not asked for.

[Yellabelly]

tyranical said:

andybuk99 said:

Decent professional looking product images takes years of practice and lighting knowledge. Without sounding harsh I doubt many pro's will give away their hard earned secrets and knowledge to the general public as this jeopardises their own livelyhood. If this is your sole business I personally would employ a photographer to get the shots for you as "first impressions count". However if you are determined to give it a go there is no instant way to get good shots, it takes years of practice, may I suggest reading some lighting/product photography books to get an insight into how to use a camera correctly and lighting techniques. Maybe even join a camera club to gain knowledge and advice.

I am really not sure whether people are not reading what I say or I am just not making myself clear as this is probably the 3rd response similar to this.

- I am not expecting to buy some starting equipment and suddenly start snapping like a pro in a week.

- I am not asking for anyones best kept secrets or to be told exactly how to take the pictures I desire.

- All I am asking for is for some guidance on what basic setup to start with.

Ha ha you've just tapped into a number of our more learned photographers, go buy the D3200 with the 18-105 kit lens they are a good starting point for a new starter, use auto ISO when you get it (read the manual for a reason why) it gives more lee-way in low light. Buy a good tripod with a three way head and then just practice. Read the NPhoto magazine for tips, it's dedicated to Nikon users. Read the manual again and again and you will soon get the idea. Consider buying a flashgun with an off camera lead so you acn move it around the outside of your light tent to get various light effects on the jewellry and good luck.

YB

[markmullen]

tyranical said:

I am not being ungrateful at all but I am asking a very specific question regarding equipment recommendations and getting answers and advice on things i've not asked for.

I don't see anything in my reply which isn't clear? You seem determined to buy a 3200 so go get one.