I am looking for a digital camera that will photograph the bird way
up in the tree when I am on vacation and photograph my jewerly when
I am home working. I am aware of the threads on photographing
jewelry, but since camera models turn over about every 6 months or so
I am wondering what cameras anyone has bought in the last 6 months
that they think has a really great super-macro and photographs
jewelry really well as well as other features.
You’re asking a lot of the camera, but this will fill the bill:
Canon Rebel XTi
70-3000 mm Image Stabilized Zoom lens
Set of Kenko extension rings for macro Don’t forget a REAL tripod,
shutter release cord, proper lighting for macro, good
post-processing software for processing RAW images, etc.
Wayne Emery
Hi, I have used an older Nikon 950 for years but wanted to upgrade to
a camera that had great versatility for general photography as well
as for jewelry images. I have been extremely impressed with the Canon
A620 I bought last February. Very fast, great imaging, extraordinary
battery life. I believe its rated at 500 shots with LCD on and
somewhere around 1500 off, so there is no point in an AC adaptor. It
offers total manual control. The macros I have gotten have been
exceptional. I could have gone very high end if I wanted, but this
camera more than serves my needs.
I have, in the past 6 months, purchased two separate digital
cameras, one for jewelry photography and one for family pictures. I
physically tried out all the available “macro” functions and
discovered that many of the so-called macro lenses were no good for
the kind of closeups needed to take jewelry pictures. I chose
(surprise) the Nikon Coolpix 5600, which was $199. I am very happy
with this for jewelry photography and used it to take the photos for
my Art Jewelry article in September… however, the camera runs on
AA batteries, not lithium, and using the flash means a long recharge
time (too long if you’re trying to take family photos). After trying
to use it for family purposes also, I gave up right before the big
summer vacation and went shopping again… and found the Canon
Powershot SD600, which has image stabilization (no blurry pictures),
fast recharge, and cost about $350. It says it has a macro on it,
but it’s not at all suitable for jewelry photos). It’s a great family
camera and very very easy to use (even the non-technical types in my
family can use it). It’s also much smaller than the Coolpix.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
regards,
Donna Blow
http://dzinesbydonna.com
I’ve had a couple of Canon’s recommended to me that would do both,
general shots and good macro. One was the Canon A510 or A520, the
other which I am seriously considering is the Canon S3IS, selling
for around $350-399. Has 12X Optical Zoom, 6 megapixels, supposedly
more than adequate Super Macro capability, Image Stabilization, but
no RAW imaging, which I don’t really think I need. Has anyone tried
this camera for shooting their jewelry?
I got a Canon Powershot G-5 --, came to $688.00 which included 2
lithium batteries,recharger, leather case, 32MB flash card, USB
cable, and a number of other extras. The macro is great, and I have
taken excellent pictures of my jewelry–most of which are highly
reflective cloisonne enamels. I use it with the cloud dome, and am
able to difuse the light.
I understand that the G-5 has been superceded by the G-6, and that
the price has dropped quite a bit. I chose the Canon G-5 after doing
all sorts of research on the internet. Steves Digicams rated the
macro
capability as outstanding. He is right.
The past year has seen tremendous improvements in digital cameras,
and the prices have really come down. For family pictures, and its
small size I got a little Olympus Stylus 410, for under $200. as the
Canon is a bit too large to tote around. The Olympus is another
winner. I had occasion to do some quick photographing of some jewelry
which was on its way to a gallery, and I just wanted a photo record
of what I had sent. I just laid the pieces on a table—didn’t take
time to set up the cloud dome, and was amazed at how well the
pictures turned out. It is about the size of my small cell phone and
has a sliding cover over the lens which offers great protection.
Alma
Hi Grace
but no RAW imaging, which I don't really think I need.
You may need RAW format and not realize. From RAW, you have enough
info in your shot to blow up to a poster for your retail space, do
4X6 for books (or 8 X 10), save images for website and email use, as
well as having proper images for show/competition submissions.
Basically, if you have a RAW, you can do anything with it.
We have a NIKON D50 which we bought in June (right before we went to
Ireland for vacation). I can get really great close-ups of the
jewelry and it took awesome pictures of the countryside in Ireland.
I’m not a tech person at all, but, as far as I can tell, it’s good
all around.
Good Luck
Kim
ps…currently working on pictures for kimstarbarddesigns.com then you
guys can judge
Canon S3IS - is my all around travel- family shots camera - and I
love it - lots of versatility, image stabilization, great zoom, been
able to shoot some eagles in a tree about 2 acres away!!- it is a
bit bulkier than some of the others, but I wanted something sturdy -
I have not tried it for jewelry but will try this weekend (have to
shoot some student work) and get back to the "group"with feedback.
The one thing we are not nuts about is the plastic tripod mount.
my husband has a small “pocket” size Olympus Stylus 720SW for when
we need to travel light (also has image stabilization & huge view
screen) water proof to 10 ft - so we can take it canoing/kayaking,
on fishing trips etc- and we have been using a Nikon Coolpix 995 for
jewelry shots (we have had it for several yrs)- we pretty much leave
this one just set up for studio photos - Very happy with all of
them.
Linda,
I would really be curious to know the results of your jewelry shots
with the S3IS since I am seriously considering buying it. Please let
us know!!
If you want a really good semi-professional level camera for great
digital images of your jewelry and try the Canon Rebel
Digital SLR. We love it! Plastic body is fine for inhouse work. Easy
to use. The first version (3 years ago) was 6 megapixel, the second
version (ours) is 8 megapixel, and the third is 10–the new camera
body is ~ $800 with a cheapy zoom lens. We use it with a 60 mm macro
for important jewelry shots in our ImageDome, and with a 100 mm
macro for real closeups on gems, etc (you can even see the inclusions
in the shots). Try BH Video/Camera in New York for great prices and
selection.
Jim
Mardon Jewelers
3640 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
951-682-2325
www.mardonjewelers.com
I just purchased a Canon SD600, primarily to use when away from home
and studio. I have been using an Olympus C3040 for the past 4 years
but wanted a small camera that I could carry in my pocket. The Canon
is a 6 MP camera and works beautifully in the Macro mode.
Joel Schwalb
www.schwalbstudio.com