Best possible product shot kit for my money

• Edit

  Participant

  December 9, 2011 at 9:55 pm

  Hi,

  I make jewellery for a living and am thinking of buying a DSLR with which to take images of my work for use on the web and for conventional promotional material forms (Posters etc,)

  I have used various types of cameras to take photos up to now, Starting back in the early 90’s with a Cosina CT 1 Super and some close up lens and then using point and shoot digitals to the present. I recently got a loan of a caon 550 with 55mm lens and was blown away by the quality and the manual over-ride facilities available.

  I have a good understanding of the basics of photography but realize I’m a jewellery maker not a professional photograher and have no intention of even trying to get to that level of understanding of the Art but I apparently have a good eye and I do enjoy playing with light and its effect on the subject.

  I also use Photoshop as my image editing suite in my day to day design tasks

  I have set myself a budget of €1,200 euro and have been having a read of some of the other forum subjects and assume that I would do best to invest in a good/new lens and a good 2nd hand body. At the moment I think the Canon 100mm 2.8f L series lens would cover the range of distances typical to jewellery photography and as far as the body is concerned I’m a bit stuck to be honest.

  If anyone has any suggestions or has experience in this field and could possibly point me the right direction, I would be really greatful

  Thanks

  Ed it
  phillip

  Member

  December 16, 2011 at 4:34 pm

  the choice in lens will be prefect, as for camera you could go with full or APS, lots of ebay, you wont need lots mega pixels as it will be for web, i would go for a EOS 5D or something similar

  phillip
  Gone2themoon

  Participant

  December 16, 2011 at 6:14 pm

  Most DSLR will fit your needs. Just a matter of budget. I would suggest looking into some backgrounds or possibly a light tent, and some lighting. google and youtube are your friends. There are some fantastic Poduct lighting tutorials on youtube. have fun!
  Edit

  Participant

  December 16, 2011 at 9:14 pm

  Thanks for the replies lads.

  I dont plan on spending the money needed for te 5D, though it looks the business, maybe a future upgrade. At the moment its looking like the 550D with the 100mm macro and as I have ideas on working outside with natural light for a particular style shoot, I am surfing to find a good tripod, cable release and some reflectors. I hope to use some mirrors and have the sky as a backdrop.

  will post some images when I get going. Will not be buying anything before Jan in case there are some sales I can get a few bob off on.

  Anyway, Thanks again for your advice and have a great Xmas a many happy clicks in the New Year

  Ed it./
  Allinthemind

  Participant

  April 9, 2012 at 9:06 am

  I’d also look at a small sensor camera for better DoF for inclose small product shots. I used to use a Panasonic GF1 for this type of work over a D3 with Macro lens.

  Si
  pelagic

  Member

  April 9, 2012 at 1:53 pm

  For your work the glass is everything and, since you have total control of the light , high ISO doesn’t buy you a thing.

  Any fairly recent DSLR with 6mp will do just fine.

  I don’t know much about the Canon lineup of bodies, but if you want Nikon glass I suggest a used D3100. If it comes with a kit lens you’ll also get a great walk around camera for free. If Canon glass is better for you then find the equivalent Canon.