I just saw what you wrote about the Sany digital camera; I had
been eyeing that one for some time, especially because of the
ability to store the images on floppies, and not have to bother
with cables, etc. Unfortunately, or fortunately, my husband
surprised me with a different digital camera for my birthday! He
had consulted with my son, who is a computer whiz, and they
picked out an Epson 600, which has a resolution of 1024 x 768, a
macro mode, and a digital zoom. It also has a serial cable,
however, in order to connect it to my computer, I have to unplug
the printer. It can connect directly to a tv, vcr, or an Epson
photo printer, which I don’t have. I have taken many pictures
with this camera, but since I haven’t yet installed the
software, I haven’t printed out any, or gotten to see exactly
what the quality of picture is, other than on the small lcd
monitor. I have an older Canon bubblejet 600 printer, so it will
be interesting to see how it does compared to the 1400 dpi Epson
printer that everone is raving about. I’ll let you know how
this thing works, once I get my orders finished…
I have been so busy for the last 2 months, that Ithis is my
first time online for at least 6 weeks. I missed everyone, and
wish you all a joyful holiday season!
Great to hear from you again! The floppy drive storage was one
of the most compelling features of the Sony camera. I imagine
you felt, like I did, that macro capability was one of the
critical features. As I mentioned in a previous message, that
feature and price were my major roadblocks.
Having the ability to carry around a few extra floppies, as
opposed to expensive ROMs or rolls of film is great. Plus, I
can stick the floppy disk in any computer and use it
immediately. 640x480 JPG images immediately available! No
cables, no software, no ROMs… even the battery is
rechargeable!
If your loved ones will fork over the receipt, I’d trade it in
on one of the Sonys. I think the funtionality* is a breakthrough
in technology. The only digital camera to save on a floppy
disk. Positively revolutionary!
My Dad, who is a retired technical writer for IBM, insists
that “functionality” is not a real word. I think it will become
legitimized as a part of the popular lexicon.
Hi Dave: About 4 months ago, I did a lot of site searching and
foot work to many stores to test as many digital cameras as
possible and called some of the company unfortunately sony did
not do well as far as a nice clear defined picture, I finally
narrowed it down to Polaroid 120, Rikoh (2 models #?) and the
Epson 500, most stores eithers would not let you take the camera
out of the box or the sales help could not figure out how to use
it , let alone show you how to use it, so I made my decision
based on some great pictures on a few web-sites and they were
taken by the Epson 500 and I have been very happy with it , the
LED screen is getting a little grainey which I may have to send
that back, and now they have come up with Epson 600 which is
better I am sure. The Epson also takes different lenses, like
Macro and wide angle which is a plus for jewelry, the only thing
it is not good at is Diamonds it just doesn’t capture the detail
needed, take a look at my website and you can see what kind of
job the epson does, of course the more you use the camera the
better the pics get also. Sincerely Chris
Chris; right on,the more you use the camera the greater your
pics will come out.the only thing I enjoy is using the different
papers and sizes that you can do with the digital camera…
thanks for reading @wburnett
Dave;I have been using my casio 300 for at least8 months before
that I had a casio 10 for two yyears,the problem with folks is how
a person works with the pic he put into his computer. I can take
my casio put it into my computer and load it onto my 3.5 disk and
label and store till later.,it`s how you treat the pic after you
get it in your computer…thanks for reading @wburnett
The Epson also takes different lenses, like Macro and wide
angle which is a plus for jewelry
I have a Canon Color Shot 350 that I am very happy with. With
it there is no need for a macro lens - macro is already set into
the camera - very convenient. Some examples of the pictures I
took with it are on my website: Jill Alessandra's Jewelry Gallery. The apatite ring,
Libra ring, and Tile box were all taken with the digital camera
(the 6th, 7th, and 8th pictures down).
Sorry to chime in here but I thought you might be interested in
some digital images that I took with the Sony DKC-ID1. We sell
image database software systems to the jewelrly industry and have
evaluated just about everything up to and including the Minolta
RD-175 at over $5,000. Our website is
This camera lists for $1,400 which probably prices it beyond the
casual user. However, since it focuses to 1/2" without special
lenses I think it is the best alternative in the under $2,000
range.
Hi Rick: I just examined the pics on your site taken with the new
Sony and they are all nice except the most important and the
hardest to take which is the pic w/the bracelet w/diamonds and
sapphires? My $750.00 Epson takes the same quality as this sony
and it came with extra lenses and the LED picture, the only thing
that would make a better jewelry camera is one that can take a
picture of a diamond and other such stones without distortion and
with proper definition, I know they are out there, but they are
probably a lot more money . Take a look at some of the jewelry
on my site , I may have taken a bad photo here or there, but that
is due to my iinexperience and we still keep learning , ie
proper lighting, background etc. Thanks Chris http://www.tace.com/glitters
P.S. Look at my Cameo by Garafalo and I took that pic in about
10 seconds, if I had put some effort into it, it could have been
a super picture
I like your website a lot! Very nice design and easy to get
where you want to go. There is no doubt about it, the Casio deos
a great job.
FYI the sapphire and diamond piece you referred to in my website
is a tiny necklace not a bracelet. Those stone are only 10
pointers! I guess I could have done a better job of lighting the
piece, all I did was lay it down on the table and shoot it.
Just goes to show you that lighting is the most important aspect
of jewelry imaging.
Mystical Grits
Wm. Augustus Mason
url: http://www.concentric.net/~lightone/
Metaphysical Art Jewelry, Lapidary, Energy Tools
Crystals & Gems, Food Design & Creation
Original Spiritual Space Jazz Heart Music
Furniture Design
Ideas, Fantasies, Visions, Conscious Creations
Feel Good, Be Happy, Enjoy LIFE!
Easley, South Carolina USA
Hi , We all think our camera are the best, that is why we bought
them, but to be objective, take some pics of the diamonds,
sapphires , rubys and show how great them come out, I admit that
my Epson takes a great pic, but not of stones that are faceted
and reflect, that is the real test. I heard the polaroid 120
could handle it but never found a sales person who would take it
out of the box or knew what to do with it once he did, shame on
the companies for not providing better technical support and
having a demonstrator in the store . The camera that are made to
do this are jewelers camera like the one in the Gesswein
catalogues and many others but they are in the $2500. to 3500
catalogue, where they have special lenses w/special box w/their
own lighting etc. Happy Holidays Chris http://www.tace.com/glitters
Hi and Seasons Greetings, One of the best photo systems I know
of for photographing jewlery to get all the detail in the
polaroid cu-5,with a 3" lens. This unit has a built in ring
light and will take a 1-1 ratio. This unit was designed for
inter-oral use. Check with your local dentist, he might know of
a used one in your area. It is simple and quick to use. We all
finish a piece of jewlery that is worthy of photographing, but by
the time you get your camera out, set the lights and then adjust
your close up adapters and etc, you are out of the mood or simply
don’t have the time. So you take the easy way out and forget it.
Fred
Sorry to chime in here but I thought you might be interested in
some digital images that I took with the Sony DKC-ID1.
This camera lists for $1,400 which probably prices it beyond the
casual user. However, since it focuses to 1/2" without special
lenses I think it is the best alternative in the under $2,000
range.
Hi Rick,
I checked out your site, and the images look good. But, my
question is, how good would they look if you were FILLING the
frame with a 12-15mm gemstone with over 100 facets? Or how
about a 4mm stone with more than 60 facets?
Dear Tom,I doubt the standard lens can fill the image with a 4mm
stone. About the best I have done is to fill the view finder with
a dime . The detail was good enough to see the mint mark under
the date! If you have a non-precious stone to send I will be
happy to give it a try and I will of course return the stone.
Hi Karen, I got an Olympus C-2500L a year ago ($1000) and it really
changed my life! I imagine newer versions are out with lower prices
and increased functions. But some of the great plusses of this
particular camera which you should look for: High quality SLR (Single
Lens Reflex)—previously unavailable in a digital camera for under
$2500 Built-in MACRO and SUPER-MACRO lense settings!!! Let you get up
to 2cm (less than 1") from the subject!!!
I use it for fine prints from tifs as well as jpgs for e-mails. It’s
magical and indispensable. I now can easily and cheaply have
excellent shots of all the one-of-a-kind pieces which get sent out
immediately upon completion which I previously would have no record
of! Great for ‘dialogue-ing’ with distant clients.
I’d be interested in hearing about others’ cameras and experiences.