Lens for D70s

[larry_page]

I have a job to take jewelry pics( necklace & earrings) for a catalog...I have

a D70s with following lense: 50mm f1.8 & 18-35mm F3.5-4.5.... Am I correct in

asking for recommendations for a different lense or use one of the above...Any

help is appreciated...Thank You...Larry

[erik_loza]

You might be able to get by with the 50mm, but a dedicated macro lens would be the real answer. Something in the 90-105mm range would be ideal. Nikon makes some excellent ones and there are also third-party alternatives. How much do you have budgeted for this project?

[larry_page]

Erik, Thank you for your responce....I added approx. $500.00 incase I needed to purchase new lens

[mharris]

Save about 350 of that and get an old Ai micro Nikor lens, manual focus and an extension tube. You'll be suprised at how well that old combo works.

[marike1]

You'd do well to get a macro lens that goes to 1:1 without using extension tubes. You

have several excellent options for 500 USD. The Nikon 105 2.8 Micro is 549 in the NY

Photo stores, but you can probably find a used one for less. Another very fine macro lens

is the Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for around 450 USD. Tokina and Sigma also have

macro lenses in that range, which can be had for around 400 USD. The nice thing about

all of these lenses is there is really no wrong choice. They are all very sharp, and will get

you to life-size without extension tubes.

 

If I were buying, I would get either the Nikon or the Tamron. If you think this type of

photography is something you will do a lot of, and if it were me, I'd get the new AF Micro-

Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR. Of course you don't need VR or AF-S in a macro

lens, but when used as a telephoto for portraits and such, it would be nice to have these

features.

 

Good luck

[aaron l]

You need a macro lens. Read Bjorn Rorslett's comments on each.

[klix]

Lens selection is secondary to lighting when it comes to product photography.

 

Will you be using a shooting tent? What's your lighting setup? What's the difference in size between the smallest earring and the largest necklace?

 

Answering these questions will give you an idea of the working distance and FOV needs. Once you have that, then you can figure out what lens you need.

 

KL

[leicaglow]

I have both those lenses, and the 50mm is probably great, but you may want an extension tube for smaller jewelry.

[HuskyMason1]

both Eric and Mike make important points...lighting is essential and extension helps with smaller items...notice the difference in these two images...the first was shot with an 85mm 2.8 micro without extension and the second with a 105mm 2.8 with 25mm extension.

<img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/4026428-sm.jpg

 

<img src =

http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5457423-sm.jpg>

[larry_page]

Thanks for the info...The necklace will be positioned in a circle approx. 12" diameter....The earrings are approx. 1 1/2" long...I have a light tent and two light stands & light table..I will be shooting down on the items....Any suggestion on proper lense....Thank everyone for their contributions...Larry Page

[klix]

With those dimensions, the answer would depend on the size of your light tent -- you would need a different lens if your light tent was 18x18x18 versus 36x36x36, since your working distance would be different.

 

Extension tubes are OUT.

 

Your 18-35 would be too wide.

 

Your 50mm MIGHT be okay.

 

A 60mm/2.8 Micro would probably be ideal.

 

A 90mm macro (e.g., Tamron), may still be okay, but IMO, would be the longest you should consider for this job.

 

A 105mm would be too long.

 

Good luck!

 

KL