Kathy makes jewelry for fun.... bracelets, necklaces, earrings.... and has been selling some online thru a couple of craft sites. She has also had a few pieces published in a couple of bead/craft/??? magazines.

So far, she has just been using our little Sony Cybershot, but I think we want to upgrade so she can get better pic's.

All her pic's are closeups.....



Can you offer a few suggestions for cameras..... maybe give a few different price ranges...... don't need a $1,000 camera, but would be willing to spend $300-$800 or so.

She has built her own lightbox to even out the light..... I really think she is enjoying this!

Thanks!

 

I haven't done much of that kind of photography... but thought about it some. The glass (lens) is pretty important, and in all honesty, none of the "point-and-shoot" cameras have spectacular lenses. They are adequate for most photographers, but they do not compare to the high end stuff that is available for SLR cameras.

Having said that, I would probably use a setup something like this:
- Canon G12 (decent glass... lots of flexibility... great movable viewing screen... about $500)
- Joby Gorillapod (short, flexible tripod. You want one of the bigger/sturdier ones. from $30-$125 depending on size, features)
- wireless remote shutter release (Vello Freewave is about $40)
- buy or make a 'lightbox'... large enough to handle largest item. Something like THIS. Prices all over the ballpark.

That would let you take maximum advantage of the camera, eliminate any camera shake when taking the photos, and if you make a velvet covered display pad upon which to set the piece being photographed you should be able to do a more than passable job of capturing all the detail in a piece and highlight its 'bling' too.

I'm sure others might have alternate suggestions.

Good luck! See you in Gettysburg!

 

Great advise.....Roy !!!!!!

The Canon G-12 is a very good cam.....Mike, Hiro just bough one prior to WTD...last Spring. I have the Canon S95...which is a really good point & shoot.....I also have a full size Canon DSLR...with Canon "L" Glass lens.....

 

So, no added macro lens needed?

Back 35 years ago... had an old Canon with a zoom lens, wide angle lens, macro lens......

 

I still have one.....With 4 or 5 different lenses It works perfectly....
......and it takes "Film" ......

 

I was hoping Roy would chime in here. He's a knowledgeable guy when it comes to

Looter, my +1 had a Canon AE1 (I think that was it) along with assorted lenses. Just sold it all a little over a year ago on Craig's List. He didn't have much interest in continuing with film. Didn't get much $ for it, but a film/photography/art student was happy to buy it.

I have a Canon DSLR and +1 is quite helpful as I try to learn to use the camera on modes other than "P" or Auto settings.

 

Canon's S95 is a close sibling to their G12. Both are great cameras (I think there are a couple S95s in the hands of folks on this forum).

The G12 will let you focus as close as .4"... the S95 as close as 2". I like the movable "variable angle" LCD screen on the G12, and the fact it has an optical viewfinder (although no meaningful information is displayed in the optical viewfinder). Both cameras will shoot in RAW mode (but if RAW is important to you, you should know it is not the same 'RAW' that comes out of a Canon DSLR, which right now is more than a bit of a nuisance if/when you post-process your images). The S95 is physically smaller, and at 6 oz. it weighs about half of what a G12 does. The two cameras are about $100 apart, and if you like and can make use of the additional features on the G12 I don't think it is too difficult to see where the difference in price is.

Barring a forgetful "senior moment", I'll have my G12 at GGTG II, and you can see what you think of it. I know I've been really pleased with the images from it, and I also like it's size... a LOT.

 

...AE-1 Program !!!! That is the old SLR that I have Lainey !!! Actually it is still a nice camera !!! Only problem is carrying all the lenses around. Takes wonderful pics !!!
...my DSLR is the Canon 40D...Bought it when they very first came out....Fact is...I was put on a wait list !!! Lots of "Whistles, Bells & Toys !!!! ( OMG )....I am not that much into photography...Just use it on special occasions...So much more convenient to use the S95.....Nothing to carry around with you...and it goes in your pocket,easily !!! ( Don't like the way the flash pops up!!! It is right where you hold the cam !!! )...Takes great pics without it...so I usually just turn it off !!!

Roy...See you & yours in Gettysburg !!!! ( with my S95 ) !!!!!

 

I just bought a Nikon S8100. 12 mp, 10x optical zoom with macro settings. Can't use remote release, but takes great pictures mounted on a tripod. <$250

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-S8100-Zo...1804001&sr=8-1

 

Hey Mike, I will let you look at my Brownie any time you want!