Photographing diamonds-camera choices

[gemgirl]

I''m posting this because I''ve been frustrating myself, trying so hard to take a decent picture of my jewelry for the last year.
After speaking to the HP people yesterday, I found out that my camera, even though it''s only two and a half years old, is considered out of date and "antiquated". I also read through the product manual on line and found out that my Macro mode begins at 7" and ends at 15" and even at 7", if the camera can not focus, I will not be able to take a picture (which is usually the case). At 15" away, you can''t even see my ring clearly in a photo..... Suddenly, I''m not feeling so dumb anymore.

SO, I''m camera shopping, and from reading past posts and doing some research, I''ve found that the Canon SD850 IS has the shortest range Macro mode (starting at 3/4" of an inch) and is probably the best buy for the money.

If anyone else has any other suggestions for good quality cameras with fine detail capabilities, please chime in! Things change in the electronics industry every six months (from what I''ve been told over and over again), so talking about this every once in a while is not a bad idea for us diamond nuts

. Oiy!

My husband''s HP digital is only fourteen months old and it doesn''t have good Macro capabilities either. Both cameras are great though for photographing every else! GEEZ!

 

[gwendolyn]

Check out this thread on digital cameras: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/any-digital-camera-suggestions.74730/

Alj''s comments about her Canon are especially useful, I think.

 

[gemgirl]

Thanks Gwen. I just read through that thread and it still seems like the Canon 850 has the best Macro capabilities starting at 0.79". That''s very impressive.

 

[gwendolyn]

No prob! I''m shopping for a digital camera myself, and want something a little closer to an SLR, so I''m thinking of getting the Canon Powershot SX100 IS: at Amazon.com

If you know a bit more about what you''re looking for in a camera, the other PSers and I would be happy to try to help you out.

 

[gemgirl]

Ooooo, even better Macro. It starts at 0.39". OK, I''ve some comparison shopping to do.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 2/15/2008 11:37:20 AM
Author: gemgirl
Ooooo, even better Macro. It starts at 0.39''. OK, I''ve some comparison shopping to do.

Heheh, have fun! Report back if you find any you really like; I''m open to new ideas.

 

[ImpatientOne]

Date: 2/15/2008 10:07:51 AM
Author:gemgirl
I''m posting this because I''ve been frustrating myself, trying so hard to take a decent picture of my jewelry for the last year.
After speaking to the HP people yesterday, I found out that my camera, even though it''s only two and a half years old, is considered out of date and ''antiquated''. I also read through the product manual on line and found out that my Macro mode begins at 7'' and ends at 15'' and even at 7'', if the camera can not focus, I will not be able to take a picture (which is usually the case). At 15'' away, you can''t even see my ring clearly in a photo.....<sigh> Suddenly, I''m not feeling so dumb anymore.

SO, I''m camera shopping, and from reading past posts and doing some research, I''ve found that the Canon SD850 IS has the shortest range Macro mode (starting at 3/4'' of an inch) and is probably the best buy for the money.

If anyone else has any other suggestions for good quality cameras with fine detail capabilities, please chime in! Things change in the electronics industry every six months (from what I''ve been told over and over again), so talking about this every once in a while is not a bad idea for us diamond nuts

. Oiy!

My husband''s HP digital is only fourteen months old and it doesn''t have good Macro capabilities either. Both cameras are great though for photographing every else! GEEZ!

I have the Canon SD850 IS and I love it!!!

 

[Cathers]

Date: 2/15/2008 10:07:51 AM
Author:gemgirl
I''m posting this because I''ve been frustrating myself, trying so hard to take a decent picture of my jewelry for the last year.
After speaking to the HP people yesterday, I found out that my camera, even though it''s only two and a half years old, is considered out of date and ''antiquated''. I also read through the product manual on line and found out that my Macro mode begins at 7'' and ends at 15'' and even at 7'', if the camera can not focus, I will not be able to take a picture (which is usually the case). At 15'' away, you can''t even see my ring clearly in a photo.....<sigh> Suddenly, I''m not feeling so dumb anymore.

SO, I''m camera shopping, and from reading past posts and doing some research, I''ve found that the Canon SD850 IS has the shortest range Macro mode (starting at 3/4'' of an inch) and is probably the best buy for the money.

If anyone else has any other suggestions for good quality cameras with fine detail capabilities, please chime in! Things change in the electronics industry every six months (from what I''ve been told over and over again), so talking about this every once in a while is not a bad idea for us diamond nuts

. Oiy!

My husband''s HP digital is only fourteen months old and it doesn''t have good Macro capabilities either. Both cameras are great though for photographing every else! GEEZ!

check out: www.dpreview.com

they give you complete reviews of many many makes of digital cameras. I worked in a photolab/studio/camera retailer, and my boss checked this site religiously before bringing in new cameras. It is very thorough. Let us know what you end up going with.

 

[crowmama]

There''s an awesome site that discusses digital cameras, gives reviews, and offers advice on "how to" do stuff. www.stevesdigicams.com . I''ve bought several digital cameras over the years, and I never make a move without checking this site first. They are to digital cameras what PSers are to diamonds.

And jewelry is considered to be one of the most difficult things to photograph well. The glare, the macro... it''s not easy!

 

[K&L]

I have a Canon A710IS and I really like it. I got it about 6 months ago, I guess it''s out of date now

In general, I think Canon makes great cameras. I think you''ll enjoy any of the Canon camera''s with decent micro ranges.

 

[gemgirl]

ImpatientOne, you took great shots of your new wedding set! which I

by the way........ Great clear close ups. That says a lot about the 850. Thanks!

 

[gemgirl]

After speaking to a customer service rep at Canon and explaining my needs to her, I''m going to try the Canon SD850. The Macro function is easily accessible on the 850 (it''s not in the "modes" listing on the SX100) and it also still has a viewfinder (which I still prefer for taking regular pictures). The best price I''ve seen on the SD850 is $205.- from Techon Digital in New York City (in case anyone else is shopping). I am going to try to find it close to that price in a local store because I''d rather bring it home and start using it, than wait for it to arrive.

 

[nebe]

Date: 2/15/2008 11:25:45 AM
Author: gwendolyn
No prob! I''m shopping for a digital camera myself, and want something a little closer to an SLR, so I''m thinking of getting the Canon Powershot SX100 IS: at Amazon.com

If you know a bit more about what you''re looking for in a camera, the other PSers and I would be happy to try to help you out.

My FH has this camera and I disliked it from the start, so I haven''t used it to take any pictures of my jewelry yet. It shows a lot of noise (like moving little pixels) when you look at the screen, and it takes a really long time between pictures. I''m going to try and use it to photograph my Tag (which I''ve NEVER gotten a good picture of) and see what happens. I''ll let you guys know soon!

 

[nebe]

Good God this thing has been sitting under my nose for a full month!!!!

I took less than 30 pictures, and these are the best photos I''ve ever gotten of my jewelry. Keep in mind this is inside, at night, in my kitchen under spotlights. I also commit the PS sin of not cleaning my lute prior to photoshoot.

The pictures were taken on my half-dead V-day flowers too. They''ve seen better days.

Without further ado...

 

[nebe]

My 1st anni earrings. Bought from BJs. He's learning, but he's gotten much better since.

 

[nebe]

 

[nebe]

As you can tell, the pictures are definitely not as crisp as they could be, but maybe they''d be better outside. We''ll see what I can get next time it''s sunny. (In NE.. who knows when that will be. We just got dumped on with snow!)

 

[gemgirl]

Oh Nebe!!! The first time you''re using this camera and what great shots!! I hope mine come out as good the first time I use my new camera. Keep snapping away. You''re giving me hope that I may do as well as you have! I can''t wait to start taking pictures. I''ll probably be intolerable for the first couple of weeks I have it

 

[ImpatientOne]

Date: 2/15/2008 12:16:21 PM
Author: ImpatientOne

Date: 2/15/2008 10:07:51 AM
Author:gemgirl
I''m posting this because I''ve been frustrating myself, trying so hard to take a decent picture of my jewelry for the last year.
After speaking to the HP people yesterday, I found out that my camera, even though it''s only two and a half years old, is considered out of date and ''antiquated''. I also read through the product manual on line and found out that my Macro mode begins at 7'' and ends at 15'' and even at 7'', if the camera can not focus, I will not be able to take a picture (which is usually the case). At 15'' away, you can''t even see my ring clearly in a photo.....<sigh> Suddenly, I''m not feeling so dumb anymore.

SO, I''m camera shopping, and from reading past posts and doing some research, I''ve found that the Canon SD850 IS has the shortest range Macro mode (starting at 3/4'' of an inch) and is probably the best buy for the money.

If anyone else has any other suggestions for good quality cameras with fine detail capabilities, please chime in! Things change in the electronics industry every six months (from what I''ve been told over and over again), so talking about this every once in a while is not a bad idea for us diamond nuts

. Oiy!

My husband''s HP digital is only fourteen months old and it doesn''t have good Macro capabilities either. Both cameras are great though for photographing every else! GEEZ!

I have the Canon SD850 IS and I love it!!!

Oops! I went back and looked at my camera and it is actually a Canon SX100 IS. I love this camera. It''s 8 mg and a whopping 10x Optical Zoom! The only thing I don''t like about it is the lag time when you use flash!

 

[nebe]

Date: 2/23/2008 9:31:28 AM
Author: gemgirl
Oh Nebe!!! The first time you''re using this camera and what great shots!! I hope mine come out as good the first time I use my new camera. Keep snapping away. You''re giving me hope that I may do as well as you have! I can''t wait to start taking pictures. I''ll probably be intolerable for the first couple of weeks I have it

Thanks!! I can''t wait to get my RHR back from the jewelers next Wednesday. I''m going to take a million new pictures

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 2/22/2008 11:59:47 AM
Author: gemgirl
After speaking to a customer service rep at Canon and explaining my needs to her, I''m going to try the Canon SD850. The Macro function is easily accessible on the 850 (it''s not in the ''modes'' listing on the SX100) and it also still has a viewfinder (which I still prefer for taking regular pictures). The best price I''ve seen on the SD850 is $205.- from Techon Digital in New York City (in case anyone else is shopping). I am going to try to find it close to that price in a local store because I''d rather bring it home and start using it, than wait for it to arrive.

Trust me...you aren''t going to be sorry with this purchase.

The 850 takes AMAZING photos.

 

[ucdcows]

I''ve used the Canon SD850 and it takes the best macro pictures I''ve seen yet! You''ll love it!

 

[KtIceRN]

Date: 2/22/2008 6:30:50 PM
Author: nebe
Good God this thing has been sitting under my nose for a full month!!!!

I took less than 30 pictures, and these are the best photos I''ve ever gotten of my jewelry. Keep in mind this is inside, at night, in my kitchen under spotlights. I also commit the PS sin of not cleaning my lute prior to photoshoot.

The pictures were taken on my half-dead V-day flowers too. They''ve seen better days.

Without further ado...

Nebe I absolutely LOVE this watch!! I hope to have it one day!

And I also have the SD850IS. It is the best, actually Alj and I went back to a place in the jewelers building yesterday, we had been there in November and showed them the camera, and they have bought 2 since!

 

[gemgirl]

Allison, thanks so much. Knowing that someone who already owns one, loves it, helps me to feel better about my purchase (since we''ll now have three digitals in the house. OIY!)

Thanks to you too ucdcows!

KtIceRN, I wanted to ask you what you used to take those simply amazing picture of your friends new bangle, but I didn''t want to disrupt that thread. I''m totally amazed at the photos you took. You can see inside each individual diamond and even tiny smudges on the gold. What detail!

My new seven stone shared prong ring is back from the setter. Maybe I''ll have that paid off by the time my new camera gets here. I can''t wait to get snap happy!

Thanks Ladies!