Nikon D40X - Macro Lens?

JimboLimbo

Hello DGrinners,

I'm looking to take jewelry photos like the one attached below and I was wondering what lens do I need for such a task? I'm not looking for high quality lenses or anything - the cheaper the better.

My Gear:
- Nikon D40X
- AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6GII ED

Also, what do you think of my camera?

Many thanks in advance,
Jim

UPDATE: I found a Sigma 70-300mm lens on Amazon. Please advise. http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-Nikon-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0012X43P2/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1375140720&sr=1-7&keywords=nikon+d40x+macro+lens

ziggy53

Zoom lenses with a "Macro" designation, like the Sigma 70-300mm that you found, are not true macro lenses. Generally they are a poor choice for even close-up photography.

What you are looking for is a true macro lens, capable of at least a 50 percent or 1:2 magnification. I use an older, used Tamron SP 90mm, f2.8 Macro, which is capable of 1:1, 100 percent magnification. It will, of course, also do close-focus images like rings and similar. It also works well for some portraiture, landscape and stitched landscape applications.

The other things that you need are external flashes, light diffusers and/or a light tent, some black/dark "flags", and possibly a product table and sweep background. You may also wish to add some filtration to the flashes, generally to use for the background, and some snoots or grids to help focus the light from the flashes.

Jewelry is one of the more difficult of product photography, so it will take some time and care to set up the pieces and position the lights, flags, diffusers, and anything else required to make the jewelry appear to have depth and dimension, fire and luster.

In the end, you may be better off paying someone else to do the photography because poorly done images of products tend to do more harm than good. If you should decide to have someone else do the shooting, make sure to see a portfolio of their work first.

Be sure to check out our forum for macro photography, especially the sticky-threads at the top:

http://dgrin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23

Some threads on product photography:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=202614
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=13371 (Old thread with some dead links)
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=140433
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=170039

External links you should read:

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0008512/article/100-in-100-Part-II-Macro-lens-buying-guide
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/jewelry_photography.html
http://www.modahaus.com/silver-jewelry-photography-on-a-white-background-tip/

JimboLimbo

Ziggy, thanks for the info and links - very informative!

I've hired two different photographers to take some photos for me and I didn't like their work. They had a good looking portfolio but who knows if that was their actual work. I've received quotes from other photographers in the +10k range for 50 images. Are those prices the norm for such work?

Thanks again, Ziggy.

ziggy53

JimboLimbo wrote: »

... I've received quotes from other photographers in the +10k range for 50 images. Are those prices the norm for such work? ...

Without seeing the product and without knowing the requirements for files, it's impossible to know whether those quotes were reasonable or not. In other words, $200USD/product may not be unreasonable for some projects.

I can say that the image you originally posted appears to be for a "Trio Princess Cut Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring", and it appears to be used for a number of diamond ring suppliers. It may indeed have cost $200 or more to produce. (Nothing easy or simple about that image.)

basflt

leave the Sigma for what it is
5x zoom is no good , especially not for close-up

go for either a Sigma or Nikkor MACRO lens
that is all you need ( except from a couple of hours on post-processing )

edit
since you on a budget
use white paper , or mirrors , or both for illuminating
you can achive nice effects with a makeup mirror and white paper to reflect daylight

Ziggy , tell me if im wrong

ziggy53

basflt wrote: »

...
edit
since you on a budget
use white paper , or mirrors , or both for illuminating
you can achive nice effects with a makeup mirror and white paper to reflect daylight

Ziggy , tell me if im wrong

Mirrors are not really a practical reflector, IMO. The reason is because you have to watch both the angle of incidence "and" the angle of reflection in order to control the light.

In order to duplicate the image originally presented in the first post, I would probably need the use of around 4 - flashes plus modifiers/diffusers and white reflectors for the product, plus I would shoot it on a transparent product table with a white sweep under, requiring 2 more flashes for the sweep. Another 2-3 dark "flags" would be used to supply the dark reflections in the product and to provide depth for the product. A spectral source, possibly from yet another flash, or from an LED source, might be used to provide the sparkle in the diamonds.

I would add the shadow in post production, after background removal and primary processing.

There could easily be 4-5 hours of billable time for this one image to achieve that level of quality.

JimboLimbo

WOW. I can totally see why I'm getting quoted for $200/image. Thanks for the tips and help guys, greatly appreciated!