Pics Jewelry

What is the best digital camera for jewelry photograpgy…?

I need to take pics of the jewelry mostly ..without models wearing them. I need to take just the jewelry like necklaces and bangles and all .. can u tell me which one is the best digital camera for me.. price is a concern for me .. so try to recommend within 200 to 300 USD..

The best way to take photos of jewelry for a web site is with a digital SLR and a macro lens. If you are not going to go with a DSLR, almost any point and shoot with a macro mode will serve you well. The thing is, I feel that you need to use the flash to force the aperture to close while still having enough light for an exposure. Many here will tell you different, but follow this advice and see what you think.

Use your macro setting and experiment. Let’s say you have a point and shoot camera with macro and a flash on the camera. You might have to go to a manual mode to do this, but…

Put your item on a nice background surface. I like to just put it in a ring box or on some velour. Zoom out at least half-way so that you will be working about a foot away from the ring. Be sure that you get focus confirmation. Shoot a picture USING flash. Check the LCD for the result. If you have overexposed the item, use the EV adjustment to reduce the exposure. For small items, I often find that I need to reduce the exposure by about 1.0 EV. (That’s -1.0 EV.) It is better to have the item properly exposed and the background underexposed, so just worry about the jewelry for now. Using a deliberate underexposure will cure the “too shiny” appearance of the stones and metal.

If you know how, you can use either full manual exposure or just Aperture Priority and choose a smaller aperture (larger number) to make the ring show up in better focus.

If you have a DSLR, post your question again stating the kind of camera that you have and the lens that you are using and we will give more details.

If you are doing any image processing at all, such with Photoshop or it’s cousins, you can crop the image to 800 pixels by 800 pixels and use Supersize images on eBay. I always use the Picture Pack when I am selling anything of any value.

Check out http://www.members.aol.com/swf08302/heartring.jpg which I did a while ago using a Nikon Coolpix 5400 exactly as described above. I do NOT think this is acceptable, but we decided not to sell the ring anyhow, so I didn’t bother to do a better job. It’s still better than some I’ve seen. I don’t keep old photos of sold items around, so I don’t have much to show you, but at least you know that it’s possible to get an acceptable result even without spending huge dollars on your equipment.

The key things to remember are:
-Macro setting
-Zoom out to get about a foot away from your subject
-Use flash
-Try different EV settings and expect that you will end up with a negative EV setting, such as -1.0 EV.

I happen to have some photos from old auctions on an FTP site. I think that these were all taken with a 3 MP Nikon Coolpix 885.

http://members.aol.com/swf08302/carvina.jpg

http://members.aol.com/swf08302/skullfront.jpg

http://members.aol.com/swf08302/konkontu.jpg

(The patch is about 4 inches long.)

Here are a couple of coin photos done exactly as described, but using a D200:

http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=57759389/PictureID=2801041875/a=75953750_75953750/t_=75953750

http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=57759389/PictureID=2801041874/a=75953750_75953750/t_=75953750

I’ll have to post a few Nikon 4600 or 5400 macro photos for future reference…

Here are a couple more auction photos done as described, using a 60 mm macro lens on a DSLR:

800 x 800 http://www.members.aol.com/swf08302/yorkie01.jpg
800 x 800 http://www.members.aol.com/swf08302/montblanc05.jpg
800 x 800 http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/412244168/
800 x 800 http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/412244164/

If you are interested in a full description of an SLR set-up, post a new question and ask specifically for that information. I’m gathering from the nature of your question that you might be in the point and shoot market.

SEE MORE PICS OF JEWELRY HERE

Galt & Bro Jewelry Store Washington DC photo pic 1915 $4.25

2 Misc Surprise Bags Of Jewelry for Repair. No specific bags in pic will be sent $5.00

2 Misc Surprise Bags Of Jewelry for Repair. No specific bags in pic will be sent $5.00

1951 Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) half crown coin KM#24 C/N Hole 4 jewelry c pic $5.99

BASKETBALL WIVES INSPIRED GOLD HEART OR BUTTERFLY GOLD ANKLET BODY JEWELRY U PIC $6.75

BASKETBALL WIVES INSPIRED GOLD HEART OR BUTTERFLY GOLD ANKLET BODY JEWELRY U PIC $6.75

BRATZ KIDZ DOLLS FULLY DRESSED~EUC~U CHOOSE~$4.99 TO $6.99 EACH~SOME NEW CLOTHES $6.99

VINTAGE TO NOW JEWELRY LOT~MOP BANGLE BRACELET & GEORGE NECKLACE~SEE PICS!!!! $7.99

1999 Magazine Print Ad Great for Framing 2 Pgs 4 Pics CARTIER JEWELRY COLLECTION $8.95

Wood Jewelry Box with decorative interior, mirror, pic frame, 2 compartments NEW $9.95

Pocket Pics Stainless Steel Pocket Toothpick Holder $6.96 PocketPics slim design fits perfectly in your pocket, briefcase or purse while keeping your supply of toothpicks clean and handy. Accomodates 12 toothpics. Easy Open Cap. Features a stainless steel pocket clip for a professional look….

Hunger Games Mockingjay Call …

The Pippi Longstocking Collection (Pippi Longstocking / Pippi Goes on Board / Pippi in the South Seas / Pippi on the Run) $41.93 Features include: •MPAA Rating: G•Format: DVD•Runtime: 358 minutes…

J.Lo $1.99 Like Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez has entered the singing-dancing-acting zone of the bona fide superstar and has developed an ego to match her talents. J. Lo, the follow-up to her multiplatinum 1999 debut On the 6, makes little attempt to tinker with the Latina-soul formula that record patented, employing an army of coproducers and writers (including partner Puffy) to assemble a slick 15-track affa…

Princess Diana: Queen of Hearts [VHS] $7.94 …

Set 3 Ninja Stealth Black Throwing Knives with Nylon Case $6.85 For sale are the 3 full tang Ninja Kunai throwing knives, like those seen in Naruto. Made of 440 stainless steel, the handle and blade are of one piece. The blade is slightly sharpened, and with 4″, the item is made to puncture. The handle is wrapped nylon. Included is the nylon sheath, which holds 3 ninja kunais. This is a favorite of ninja fans….

Gorilla Glue 7805001 Super Glue Bottle, 15 Gram $3.34 The only super glue tough enough to be called Gorilla. This new super glue has Impact-Tough Formula, which makes a bond that’s impact-resistant. It sets in under a minute, with no clamping required. Projects dry fast and last long, standing up to drops, bumps and bangs….

Southwest Specialty Products 30007C Barbasol Can Safe $6.00 Recommended by Law Enforcement agencies around the world! Place container anywhere! Take them with you on vacation Place them in the house … anywhere!! Your cash / valuables could not be safer then in these diversion safes….

Lolita Lempicka Lolita Lempicka Lolita Lempicka is an enchanting and alluring fragrance that gently balances the sweetness of ivy leaves and aniseed with delicate violet and iris root, and finishes with a smooth hint of vanilla and musk. This sensual fragrance is pure, light, and endearing….

Jewel Butt Plug – Small $49.00 These all stainless steel plugs are designed for a nice comfortable fit for long term wear. They weigh more than other plugs, causing a constant sensation. The glass cut gemstones finish off the plug, and attract lots of attention to the wearing party. These are true works of art. Regular: 3 inches in length, 1.1 inches at widest point,.3 inch stem, weight 6.3 oz….