Amateur needs DSLR (?) to photo jewelry (Page 2): Take a breath and a step back. We need to understand what you are trying to do. Do you want to sell online on a web site such as etsy...

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

tippytoes wrote:

Greetings, br I am a rank amateur with an old Pana... (show quote)

Take a breath and a step back. We need to understand what you are trying to do. Do you want to sell online on a web site such as etsy or trocadero or ebay, or are you wanting Cartier quality poster sized prints?

For web work your current camera may be OK. You will need a lighting set up. My wife sells antique jewelry online - she also works for a high jewelry designer and wholesaler. Although she has a a DSLR, and has access to my macro lenses, for web work she uses an old Canon P&S. Even for the high end jewelry company sometimes uses photos from a mobile phone.

Our lighting set up cost around $150 - three studio lights and a set of light tents. If you want to upgrade to say, a newer Lumix, you could probably find a used or refurbished one to fit your budget.

Look at this as a business. What does your business need?

Lemon Drop Kid Loc: Greeley, CO

Here is another look at what the Lumix 200 did with earrings

(Download)

Lemon Drop Kid Loc: Greeley, CO

Here is another set of earrings photographed with the Lumix FZ200:

Lemon Drop Kid Loc: Greeley, CO

Here is another set of earrings photographed with the Lumix FZ200

tippytoes

Web. (Although some might end up in a group brochure at some point.) My primary goal is to capture some light glinting off the gemstones.
Will likely use a white background as it will best show up the colors of the stones.

tippytoes

Thanks for these. The majority of my work will be necklaces, so may need a different depth of field.
You're right, the photos are close, but I can tell the difference in looking at the crystals next to the earwires.

tippytoes

Hi Peterff, You're quite right, as that is exactly my quandary. As I already have a 24" square light tent, I'm thinking I'll get better lights first, then evaluate the camera situation after I see what the old Lumix does. Thank you.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

tippytoes wrote:

Web. (Although some might end up in a group brochure at some point.) My primary goal is to capture some light glinting off the gemstones.
Will likely use a white background as it will best show up the colors of the stones.

The lighting set up will be much more important than the camera, especially for web work. Get lights, a small light tent - say 1 ft cube - , some jewelry furniture, possibly some point lights to create the specular effects, and try the camera that you have. It may be plenty good enough. Also, you need to look at how much time you have to spend getting a good image in comparison to the return. In my wife's instance with antique jewelry every piece is unique, so the amount of effor is directly related to the sale price. If you are producing these things by the truck load different economics apply.

The lighting and staging will be required whatever camera you use.

Lemon Drop Kid Loc: Greeley, CO

This may give a better idea of what the Lumix FZ200 does in rendering a pair of earrings

tippytoes

Many thanks for all replies so far! All valuable info, which I will be utilizing as I move forward with this endeavor.
If anyone has a thought about good lights for my simple 24" tent (as well as best bulbs), I'll be most appreciative. LED? 5000K for color?
I have a northern exposure in my studio, but as winter approaches, there will be less and less light, so probably best to augment properly.

tippytoes

Bill, this looks promising. Thank you!

tippytoes

Thank you for all the details. I need all the help I can get - and I am getting it here from all of you. Wow.

tippytoes

My business is more like your wife's, and I definitely do treat it like a business (though it's still in early stages) so your perspective is quite accurate.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

tippytoes wrote:

My business is more like your wife's, and I definitely do treat it like a business (though it's still in early stages) so your perspective is quite accurate.

It is helpful if you can use the <quote reply> but so that we can track the conversation. If your response was to my comments, then I can give you details of our lighting.

Color temperature of the bulbs is less important than being able to match the color temperature of the lights and the camera. Our bulbs are 5500K.

tippytoes

Thank you Peter, didn't realize about Quote Reply. (Apologies to all for making my first foray here a bit confusing!)
5500K sounds good. Having your lighting details would be very helpful.

Peterff wrote:

It is helpful if you can use the <quote reply> but so that we can track the conversation. If your response was to my comments, then I can give you details of our lighting.

Color temperature of the bulbs is less important than being able to match the color temperature of the lights and the camera. Our bulbs are 5500K.