Suitable lens for Jewelry photography

[faizkhairi]

Hello,

I just own a Nikon D7000. I want to use for jewelry photography. Since I'm on a tight budget, the shop's man suggested me to get a AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8g. He said that this is the great lens for sharpness. Without any research, I took it and bought it.

So, I want to ask to the people that used with jewelry photography, is this lens really suitable for this purpose? Btw, I'm using a Sanoto light box.

Btw, this is my first time using DSLR. I used to took photos with an iPhone.

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

To me, jewelry photography means being able to shoot something as small as a lady's engagement ring, or even details of the setting. For this you really need a macro lens rather than that general purpose 35mm.

A macro lens allows you to focus right down to where the image on the sensor is the same size as your subject. Most of the time you won't need to get quite that close, but you will almost certainly need to get closer than your 35mm.

Why not just try it and see? After a camera phone almost anything is likely yo look better.

 

[Photogrrr]

You can pick up a used macro lens fairly cheap online. I just purchased a used Ai-S Micro Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 at a bargain price and it takes quite nice pics. That lens might work well for you, but there are also other choices.

 

[faizkhairi]

After a few shots taken, I found out I can't get decent jewelry photo with it. If I move a little backwards, it look sharps but the jewelry seem small. So, it tried to crop and know I can't differentiate between garbage and my photos. lol But thats really not the lens fault, it was just not suitable for my usage.

Looks like I learn this the hard way, but it's my bad I don't research first about that 35mm lens. So, I ask around a few people (read from previous forum post and asking camera seller) and they suggested me to get used Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro lens or Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens since I'm on a tight budget. Since my focus are not something that moving like bugs or bird, I think 50mm should be ok, maybe? Or just take the 90mm instead? Around 200$ for used and I had to sell that 35mm to get that. If in your opinion these lens are ok for jewelry photography, please don't recommend me something that is higher price than that because my budget is very limited since I'm still a student. If they are not, please do recommend me.

So, before I make a second mistake, which 1 should I pick?

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

The Tamron has a good reputation. I don't know anything about the Sigma. Try asking on the Macro forum if you don't get any recommendations here.

 

[faizkhairi]

Yup. Reviewer said that too. But I will post a new thread at macro section for this.

thanks for responding.

 

[olsenn]

You'll definitely want either a macro lens, or extension tubes combined with a normal-telephoto lens (to focus closer to your subject).

I use the Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR lens, which I am happy with, but you can certainly find cheaper macro lenses which will perform just as well.

 

[faizkhairi]

You'll definitely want either a macro lens, or extension tubes combined with a normal-telephoto lens (to focus closer to your subject).

I use the Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR lens, which I am happy with, but you can certainly find cheaper macro lenses which will perform just as well.

Yup, I'm getting my Tamron 90mm macro lens. I hope it can get the works done.