Mochi, Yingh, LaurenThePartier

[T L]

What kind of cameras do you use to take pictures of your gems? Thanks in advance!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Hey, TL - I just use a Canon SD400 for my pics - hoping to upgrade to a Nikon D90 sometime in the next few weeks or so.

 

[zeolite]

Date: 4/24/2009 11:15:16 AM
Author:tourmaline_lover
What kind of cameras do you use to take pictures of your gems? Thanks in advance!

TL, Lauren. Pandora, and others:

You need to talk to me about photo equipment before you buy. Can you afford to spend $500 for a camera? Lauren, you are already doing the right thing, buying a DSLR camera.

I can tell what you need to buy (second hand) and where to buy it, and how to use it. I already spend too much time on photo chat sites, where such equipment is sold.

As far as my photo background, I''ve been studying it every day, hours per day, for 40 years. I presently own over $25,000 in photo equipment. My main photo activity is not at all in gemstones. My main interest is wlidlife, travel, and underwater photography. But since I have all of this equiment lying around, I''ve spent a little time on gem photography.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 4/24/2009 3:26:14 PM
Author: zeolite

Date: 4/24/2009 11:15:16 AM
Author:tourmaline_lover
What kind of cameras do you use to take pictures of your gems? Thanks in advance!

TL, Lauren. Pandora, and others:

You need to talk to me about photo equipment before you buy. Can you afford to spend $500 for a camera? Lauren, you are already doing the right thing, buying a DSLR camera.

I can tell what you need to buy (second hand) and where to buy it, and how to use it. I already spend too much time on photo chat sites, where such equipment is sold.

As far as my photo background, I''ve been studying it every day, hours per day, for 40 years. I presently own over $25,000 in photo equipment. My main photo activity is not at all in gemstones. My main interest is wlidlife, travel, and underwater photography. But since I have all of this equiment lying around, I''ve spent a little time on gem photography.

Thanks, Zeolite. Your original post about your gemstone set up solidified my plans. I''ve been looking into D40s and D60s since March, but decided I needed an internal AF motor for non proprietary specialized and macro lenses like a Tamron, etc.

I''ve pretty much zeroed in on a D90, but if you know someone selling a nice gently used set-up, I''d greatly appreciate it. I have a feeling a D90 will keep me more than happy for a few years.

 

[zeolite]

Date: 4/24/2009 3:31:13 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 4/24/2009 3:26:14 PM
Author: zeolite

Date: 4/24/2009 11:15:16 AM
Author:tourmaline_lover
What kind of cameras do you use to take pictures of your gems? Thanks in advance!

TL, Lauren. Pandora, and others:

You need to talk to me about photo equipment before you buy. Can you afford to spend $500 for a camera? Lauren, you are already doing the right thing, buying a DSLR camera.

I can tell what you need to buy (second hand) and where to buy it, and how to use it. I already spend too much time on photo chat sites, where such equipment is sold.

As far as my photo background, I''ve been studying it every day, hours per day, for 40 years. I presently own over $25,000 in photo equipment. My main photo activity is not at all in gemstones. My main interest is wlidlife, travel, and underwater photography. But since I have all of this equiment lying around, I''ve spent a little time on gem photography.

Thanks, Zeolite. Your original post about your gemstone set up solidified my plans. I''ve been looking into D40s and D60s since March, but decided I needed an internal AF motor for non proprietary specialized and macro lenses like a Tamron, etc.

I''ve pretty much zeroed in on a D90, but if you know someone selling a nice gently used set-up, I''d greatly appreciate it. I have a feeling a D90 will keep me more than happy for a few years.

The new good discount price for the D90, body only, is $930, and from the same company, $800 used. In a few seconds I found a Nikon 60mm f2.8 micro lens, like new for $330. This lens is $470 new, so this sounds like a bargain.

I found a Nikon D60, like new for $310. The new price for D60 SE (don''t know what SE means) is $500.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I have a D90 and it''s great!

 

[chrono]

I just checked mine. It''s a Kodak M863. Hubby has a fancy SLR camera with the image stabilizer built into the interchangeable lenses.

 

[PrecisionGem]

if you get the Nikon, you will need a macro lens. I use a Nikon D70 with a Sigma 105mm macro. I find that the longer macro lenses will work better than a shorter one. The further from the stone you are, the better it will look. You will find with the SLR, that you depth of field will be much less than with a small point and shoot camera. The focus will be much more critical, and you will need to use manual focus. Macro lenses do not work too well with autofocus especially at close range. The D90 with a macro will require a tripod, small apertures and long exposures. So walking around the house taking lots of hand shots, holding the camera in the other hand will be out of the question.

 

[zeolite]

Date: 4/24/2009 9:51:20 PM
Author: PrecisionGem
if you get the Nikon, you will need a macro lens. I use a Nikon D70 with a Sigma 105mm macro. I find that the longer macro lenses will work better than a shorter one. The further from the stone you are, the better it will look. You will find with the SLR, that you depth of field will be much less than with a small point and shoot camera. The focus will be much more critical, and you will need to use manual focus. Macro lenses do not work too well with autofocus especially at close range. The D90 with a macro will require a tripod, small apertures and long exposures. So walking around the house taking lots of hand shots, holding the camera in the other hand will be out of the question.

Let me add to Gene''s good comments:

Longer macro lenses work better than short lenses - If your lens and camera is too close, it casts a shadow and blocks light falling on the gemstone, crreating dark areas in the center.

you willl need to manual focus - macro lenses do not work well with autofocus You can still use an auto focus lens, but you will set it from auto to manual, so you, and not the camera, chooses where to place focus.

will require a tripod, small apertures and long exposures - I always use my camera on a tripod, with self timer, at f16 or f22, and my exposures can run 1.5 seconds - far too long to hold steady with my hands.

 

[chrono]

This is getting WAY too complicated for me.

I think I''ll stick with my point and shoot.

 

[T L]

Date: 4/24/2009 10:11:25 PM
Author: Chrono
This is getting WAY too complicated for me.

I think I''ll stick with my point and shoot.

Me too!! I''m getting a headache reading all of this.

 

[mochi]

I use a point and shoot.. Nikon CoolPix 10.0 megapixels. I really like it because it''s simple to use.

My hubby has a big cannon with all sorts of lenses. He also has a another cannon called a rebel. One thing he doesn''t have is a macro lense. I was just talking to him about it and he got way too excited about the prospect of getting another lense. It''s way too confusing for me to use.

 

[T L]

Date: 4/24/2009 10:40:24 PM
Author: mochi
I use a point and shoot.. Nikon CoolPix 10.0 megapixels. I really like it because it''s simple to use.

My hubby has a big cannon with all sorts of lenses. He also has a another cannon called a rebel. One thing he doesn''t have is a macro lense. I was just talking to him about it and he got way too excited about the prospect of getting another lense. It''s way too confusing for me to use.

Ooooh, and those are pretty inexpensive as well, right?

 

[mochi]

Date: 4/24/2009 10:47:36 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 4/24/2009 10:40:24 PM
Author: mochi
I use a point and shoot.. Nikon CoolPix 10.0 megapixels. I really like it because it''s simple to use.

My hubby has a big cannon with all sorts of lenses. He also has a another cannon called a rebel. One thing he doesn''t have is a macro lense. I was just talking to him about it and he got way too excited about the prospect of getting another lense. It''s way too confusing for me to use.

Ooooh, and those are pretty inexpensive as well, right?

Hehe...all I keep thinking is I can get a really nice gosslerite garnet for that price... My hubby use to take wedding pictures, but not any more. But he still gets excited about cameras..

I would love to learn how to use his equipment, but I get so confused with all the technical stuff...

 

[BWise]

TL, sorry I didn''t see your post until tonight! Been crazy at work.

My camera is a Nikon D80, with two huge interchangeable lens. Got it from brother''s coworker who was upgrading. Paid $350 - good deal according to my photoshop addicted mom. It''s a shame that I am using it mostly for point and shoot, but the picture qualities are crispy. I promise I will study the camera!

 

[chrono]

Date: 4/24/2009 10:40:24 PM
Author: mochi
I use a point and shoot.. Nikon CoolPix 10.0 megapixels. I really like it because it's simple to use.

My hubby has a big cannon with all sorts of lenses. He also has a another cannon called a rebel. One thing he doesn't have is a macro lense. I was just talking to him about it and he got way too excited about the prospect of getting another lense. It's way too confusing for me to use.

Hey, I took a peek at hubby's camera and it's a Canon Rebel too! That thing isn't cheap. And the lenses cost almost as much as the camera itself.