Best possible product shot kit for budget

[Edit]

December 8, 2011 at 11:45 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 :idea:

[steelydan]

December 9, 2011 at 11:14 pm

Any of the Canon range of bodies would suffice for Jewelry shooting. They are high in Megapixel and you can shoot RAW. What you have to understand that the Canon 100mm will give you a shallow depth of field, if its the Marco f2.8?? Small items like rings would get great results, but i doubt if larger necklaces would b harder to photograph
Also what you would want to consider is reflections on metalic surfaces,silver etc. The use of a polarizer would illimate most of those.

[Edit]

December 10, 2011 at 9:31 am

Cheers for that,

Will do a bit more research and ask about, regarding the lens. One of the main aspects of my jewelery is the large area of high polish so a reflector sounds like a must so.

in no great hurry
Ed it

Thanks again

[stcstc]

December 10, 2011 at 6:24 pm

actually i wouldnt worry as much about the camera as the other kit you will need

buy a product tent or table, acrylic risers etc, and lighting

with that kinda stuff almost any camera is going to get you good results

you should try talking to one of the sponsors of the site either sheldon sheldon photographic or paddy barker photographic

[Edit]

December 11, 2011 at 12:27 pm

Thanks Steve,

Will do that, sounds good advice from what I have seen on some Utube clips.

Thanks again

Ed