I just purchased a Nikon Coolpix 8400 (8 megapixels) with macro
setting. Can you give me some hints on how you get good pictures as I
cant get anything out of it that looks any better than my Fuji 2
megapixel camera without macro setting?
Carolyn M.
Howdie
I currently use a Coolpix 7600.
I think it’s great!
We did a lot of research on digital cameras and for the cost, you
can’t go wrong. The macro is astonishing. The only trick is to have
really good lighting (as with any photography).
One thing in general with any automatic camera, sometimes it it a
little tricky to photograph jewellery, I guess the reflection of the
metal tricks the camera into thinking the picture is blurry, just
wait until you see the pictures on the computer before you erase
them.
Aimee Kennedy
www.fineandgood.com
Check the manual to find out what the minimum macro focus distance
is in inches. That’s your target placement of the camera from the
subject. Does the Coolpix 8400 allow for manual focusing ? I expect
not.
Brian Corll
Brian Corll, Inc.
1002 East Simpson Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Tel.: (717) 691-0286
The problem with the point-and-shoot type cameras is that you can’t
control the depth of field. That’s why I went for an SLR-type digital
(Canon Digital Rebel XT) with standard lenses and a manual focus
option, so I can focus precisely on the plane I want to show most.
Brian Corll
Vassar Gems
1002 East Simpson Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Tel.: (717) 691-0286
Hi Carolyn,
If I’m not mistaken, The 8400 is like a newer version of my Coolpix
5700. To use the macro setting you have to push the little button on
the lens side until you get the picture of a flower in the viewfinder
and then zoom the lens out until the flower turns yellow. The macro
only works when the flower is yellow - not at the ends of the zoom
range. The camera will then auto focus down to an inch or so.
Best Wishes
Ian
Ian W. Wright
Sheffield UK
I use a Nikon 5700. The images are fine and the megapixels are
sufficient for close ups of jewelry. Actually, I feel that most
digital cameras are good enough for this purpose.
Therefore, the camera becomes a secondary issue. Rather, as Aimee
Kennedy pointed out, other aspects such as lighting become more
important. After about 2 years, I am still working on my lighting.
Just shows, my learning curve is long and steep 
Another aspect, in my opinion and I would appreciate feedback on
this from others on this list, when you click images of jewelry with
a digital camera the idea is not to click the best image but one that
would give the best results after photoshopping! That I feel is quite
crucial.
Regards,
Rasesh Chasmawala.
Mumbai, India.
Another aspect, in my opinion and I would appreciate feedback on this from others on this list, when you click images of jewelry with a digital camera the idea is not to click the best image but one that would give the best results after photoshopping! That I feel is quite crucial.
Last week, I prepared images for my first on-line digital show
application. I think that you are not supposed to photoshop your
image in any way that would be deceptive, but rather use the process
to remove dust spots, correct the color, etc. One of my pieces had a
dark reflection on a shiny part of the piece, which I carefully
lightened to match the nearby shiny area. I thought it looked pretty
good, but then I became fearful that maybe it would seem to the jury
that I had unfairly altered the image. I could have, for instance,
used exactly the same photoshop technique to cover up a pit or
scratch in the metal.
Can such photoshop work be detected by a jury? How much work is
considered fair? I certainly don’t mind removing dust spots and
scratches from my background, but what about highlights on the
jewelry that are a bit too much, or dark reflections?
I was thrilled to get those dust spots off, BTW! What a great
process. But there is room there for abuse. What do you think?
M’lou Brubaker
Minnesota, USA
There are so many routes to go today…
I had an older Nikon CoolPix and was upgrading, wanted something
solid for studio shots but small and really versatile for general
photography.
Have been thrilled with the Canon A620…an extraordinary piece of
technology. An unusual choice perhaps for a lot of folks here, but
the output has been amazing, with little post-processing required.
Price was not the consideration, I could afford anything…but it
does a beautiful job, and this little camera is loaded with
intelligence in settings, layout. Handles any situation with
tremendous clarity.