Best Camera/Technique for photo shots

[maxspinel]

I bite the bullent and bought a pink sapphire today. I loved the color and when I first saw it, it blew me away. The stone is 2.56 carats (I want 4 carats), it has some inclusions and the price was only ok but what the heck, I grabbed it. I''ve been looking for quite some time for this color and the dealer said that I can always trade up.

I''d like to post some pictures but my crappy 4.0 pixel minolta just won''t do it. It can''t do close up and it is always out of focus. I tried many times and I have to give up. I need some advice on a good digicam and techniques to take good pictures. The one that you guys posted are so professional. Mine are so bad and fussy that you can hardly tell the stone. Need help.

 

[Michael_E]

maxspinel,
I use a Nikon 4300 which has a "macro" feature and lets you get a few inches from your subject. I''m not necessarily recommending the Nikon...any camera with 4 MP and a macro feature will work. One thing to remember is that you really never should be that 2" from a gem. The reason for this is that you need to have some distance in order not to shadow the stone with your head and camera. I avoid this shadowing by using one of those flourescent lights that has a magfnifier and a flourescent tube in a ring shape. I removed the magnifier and shoot through the center of the flourescent ring. My camera stays about 6"-8" from the stone and I then crop the image to get the file size down and make it easily transmitted on the net. In the following picture I''ve tilted the light to darken the background and have the stone sitting on a brushed stainless steel background, (this is a very high-tech and expensive background...it''s an outdoor junction box cover, $1.29 at Home Depot).

If your present camera can focus to 8" or so you may be able to use it by taking a high resolution image and cropping the unwanted parts. Save some moola and buy more gems !

 

[maxspinel]

Miichael,
Thanks for the tip. My minolta is a pain. Even though it is a 4M with a Macro feature, it just won''t focus. When I tried to take a shot at indoor lighting, the camera always indicates that it needs a flash. However, the flash makes the color of the stone looks very different. If I don''t use a flash, then the camera needs to be held very steady for a minute. When the hand moves just a little, the shot would come out fuzzy. I was thinking of using some tripod to hold it still. Overall, it is extremely frustrating and so far, I haven''t got a good shot.

I''ll try using the magnifying flouresent lamp that you mention to see if I can improve the effects. Your message said that you tilted the light to darken the background, I am not sure what that mean. Would you please clarify? As far as photo technique is concerned, I am a complete novice. I know nothing beyond just point and shoot.

Max

 

[belle]

do you have an automatic timer on your camera? using it will help avoid unecessary movement during the photo.
if you are using autofocus, make sure the camera is focusing on the stone and not something in the immediate surroundings.

 

[maxspinel]

Belle,
I am sure the timer is automatic. But whenver I am trying to take a shot at normal lights, the camera always gives a hand shaking signal indicating that I need a flash. If I don''t use the flash, the shot will automatically take more than 15 secs and if my hands shake or move during the time, the picture will come out fuzzy.

I can''t hold still for that long so my shots are always terrible. The camera can take good distant pictures without the flash at very very bright lights.

Yes, the camera does have an autofocus feature and it does like to focus on the surroundings instead of the stone. I don''t know if it is the camera or it is me but I am struggling.

 

[strmrdr]

try more light until the flash needed indication goes away a desk lamp with a piece of white paper between it and the object makes a nice light source.

Also check the manual for your camera for the optimal macro distance there is only a range of 1-2 inches and sometimes less from the optimal distance that it works well.

 

[Michael_E]

maxspinel,
Give that camera to a person who just wants to take landscape shots and get one that will do what you want it to ! A new camera will only set you back $300 or so and it''s well worth it when you can dump all the aggravation of your present camera.

As far as taking pictures, once you''ve got a camera that you''re happy with, well it''s all about light. Different color mixtures in the light, different light levels and different directions all play a part in taking good pictures of gems, rings and other small things. My comment about tilting the light just means that I raise the back of the circular flourescent bulb in order to get a darker background than foreground. You can play around with different types of background materials with different reflectivity, textures, back lighting, multiple lights, outdoor lighting of all different conditions and come up with some really neat shots. You will also get a WHOLE LOT of BAD shots that no one ever sees, so when you finally post some of your pictures you can convince everyone that ALL of your shots are very fine indeed ! Just keep experimenting, (but do it with a camera that works with you and not against you).

Also, on that flourescent magnifier, make sure to remove the magnifying lense. All you want is the flourescent tube and holder. This way you can move it at all sorts of angles and have your hands free to mess with the camera and background materials.

 

[strmrdr]

Whats the model # for the minolta you have?
I will try and hunt down the macro info for you.

Nikons have the best macro in the low price compact consumer range.
To get better you need an slr.
They arnt the best in some other areas so it really depends on what you want to do with it.
Should you decide on getting a new one id read some of the review sites.
Ill post a couple links when I get home.

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Date: 7/29/2005 12:59:01 AM
Author: belle
do you have an automatic timer on your camera? using it will help avoid unecessary movement during the photo.
if you are using autofocus, make sure the camera is focusing on the stone and not something in the immediate surroundings.

Here's something I learned just last night. I was trying to get a detailed closeup B&W of a finial with the trees in the background blurred. It kept going the opposite way. I have my camera set up to autofocus and honestly can't remember how to change it. What I did was I held my hand up in front of the object that I was trying to photograph so that the camera would have something larger to focus on. It worked perfectly because it focused in crisply on my hand and the trees in the background were blurred. All I had to do was keep my finger on the button, remove my hand from blocking the object, position the object in the center and shoot.

ETA: Michael_E, I use my brushed stainless steel countertops all the time for photographs. I love the "cold" background it gives to B&Ws.

Here's how it turned out (sorry if it turns out really big):

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/29/2005 1:40:31 PM
Author: Diamonds4Me

Date: 7/29/2005 12:59:01 AM



Here''s how it turned out (sorry if it turns out really big):

Kewl shot I like it :}

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Thanks strmrdr. I''ve been having a blast lately with all this photography stuff.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/29/2005 1:47:50 PM
Author: Diamonds4Me
Thanks strmrdr. I''ve been having a blast lately with all this photography stuff.

kewl
I used to be real into it back in the stone age.
errr 20 years ago or so anyway which is the stone age tech wise for photography.
Shot mostly black and white and a friend had a dark room.
All my photos and stuff got tossed years ago when I wasnt around :{

 

[belle]

that is awesome d4m!

i love taking pics and the challenges that come with it.

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Strmrdr, that''s so sad!

How heartbreaking to have them gone. I would be devastated because those are things that are impossible to replace.

Its awesome that you had access to a dark room, though. I''ve always wanted to do that. How lucky!


Belle, I do too. The best part is that even though my camera wasn''t cheap at the time by today''s standards its probably "old"..(5 years this Christmas)..but I don''t have any fancy camera equipment, no special lighting....just my imagination. I probably wouldn''t know how to use all that fancy stuff anyway

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/29/2005 9:31:27 PM
Author: Diamonds4Me
Strmrdr, that''s so sad!

How heartbreaking to have them gone. I would be devastated because those are things that are impossible to replace.

Its awesome that you had access to a dark room, though. I''ve always wanted to do that. How lucky!



Belle, I do too. The best part is that even though my camera wasn''t cheap at the time by today''s standards its probably ''old''..(5 years this Christmas)..but I don''t have any fancy camera equipment, no special lighting....just my imagination. I probably wouldn''t know how to use all that fancy stuff anyway

Yes I was madder then all get out when I found out.

A great photograph starts in the mind then gets captured.
There are far more people that can take good photos than can "see" and capture great photos

 

[maxspinel]

Date: 7/29/2005 1:38:27 PM
Author: strmrdr
Whats the model # for the minolta you have?
I will try and hunt down the macro info for you.

Nikons have the best macro in the low price compact consumer range.
To get better you need an slr.
They arnt the best in some other areas so it really depends on what you want to do with it.
Should you decide on getting a new one id read some of the review sites.
Ill post a couple links when I get home.

My camera model is Minolta Dimage F100 and I really appreciate your help. I read some where that this camera is not very good taking pictures with low lights. This camera has bee fine since I never had to use any complex features or take any close ups. If there is no further improvement, I''ll definitely junk it. I just want to make sure that I choose the next one correctly, not another flop.

Thanks again

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 7/29/2005 11:18:53 PM
Author: maxspinel

Date: 7/29/2005 1:38:27 PM

Author: strmrdr

Whats the model # for the minolta you have?

I will try and hunt down the macro info for you.


Nikons have the best macro in the low price compact consumer range.

To get better you need an slr.

They arnt the best in some other areas so it really depends on what you want to do with it.

Should you decide on getting a new one id read some of the review sites.

Ill post a couple links when I get home.

My camera model is Minolta Dimage F100 and I really appreciate your help. I read some where that this camera is not very good taking pictures with low lights. This camera has bee fine since I never had to use any complex features or take any close ups. If there is no further improvement, I''ll definitely junk it. I just want to make sure that I choose the next one correctly, not another flop.


Thanks again

Focus range • Normal: 50 cm (1.6 ft) - Infinity
• Macro: 20 - 60 cm (7.8 - 23.6 in)

You will need to be atleast 8" away with that camera.
Shoot at 4mp super fine quality then crop it later.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/minoltadimagef100/page2.asp

They got decent macro shots:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/minoltadimagef100/page10.asp


That site is also a good one to look up other models should you decide to upgrade.

Here is the other site I turn too for reviews:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/dimage-f100.html

 

[maxspinel]

Thanks. I''ll play with it more tomorrow. Hopefully, something will work out.

 

[Richard M.]

Don''t even THINK of shooting gem shots without a tripod. It can be done but requires exceptional skills.

You''ll need to set up for maximum depth-of-field to keep the entire gem in focus and sharp, which means small aperture and longer exposure time. If your speed is anything much less than 100 you won''t be able to hand-hold the camera without jiggling. Even with a tripod it''s wise to use the self-timer function to make sure there''s no camera shake.

Gem photography is not easy for a lot of reasons. But with digicams there''s no film to buy and develop so experimenting is cheap and results can be immediately evaluated. Your camera manual is your best friend -- read it and try to learn more about your camera''s capabilities during every photo session.

Richard M.

 

[websailor]

I have one other thing to add to the above great comments - given the difficulties you''ve had and what you''ve described, I wonder if some of the original default settings have gotten changed??????

On my Olympus, you can customize almost all the settings - and if you pick one that basically says "don''t reset them", it will keep it that way. Great if you know that, but if you changed something, such as not to autofocus, and then forgot, it can get very frustrating.

Since there are about a gazillion settings, and a lot of buttons/menus, it''s pretty easy to get it messed up.

If there is a way to tell the camera to reset everything back to the factory default settings, I''d give that a try too.

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Diamonds4Me - great picture!!!! and great solution to outsmarting the camera!!!

Strmrdr - Oooohhhh, how sad! I feel so sorry for you! What a loss that is!

 

[Diamonds4Me]

Date: 7/30/2005 2:55:31 AM
Author: websailor
I have one other thing to add to the above great comments - given the difficulties you''ve had and what you''ve described, I wonder if some of the original default settings have gotten changed??????

On my Olympus, you can customize almost all the settings - and if you pick one that basically says ''don''t reset them'', it will keep it that way. Great if you know that, but if you changed something, such as not to autofocus, and then forgot, it can get very frustrating.

Since there are about a gazillion settings, and a lot of buttons/menus, it''s pretty easy to get it messed up.

If there is a way to tell the camera to reset everything back to the factory default settings, I''d give that a try too.

----------------------------------
Diamonds4Me - great picture!!!! and great solution to outsmarting the camera!!!

Strmrdr - Oooohhhh, how sad! I feel so sorry for you! What a loss that is!

Thank ya! It put up a good fight at first but I tore it up in the end

hehe