what kind of digital camera for diamond photos?

[Got Rocks?]

I am a digital dummy and want to post a picture of my new 2.08 RB from GOG and setting. I bought a cheap vivitar today and it won''t even photograph the ring.

What kind of camera do you suggest (and what kind of attachments) and what is the minimum I can expect to spend? Thanks!

 

[Arlington]

Hi Rocks. I'll be interested in the response you get. I use an older model Canon, which I absolutely love for normal pics but doesn't seem to do macro pics very well. I'm sure Canon has a model that works better when taking Macro shots.

I would do a few searches in this forum for things like "camera" or "pics" or something along those lines. You should run into a few threads like these:

CAMERA FOR DIAMOND PICS

Taking pictures with digital camera?

How to take a digital picture w/out magnifying glass or loupe?

And many more.

 

[ringbling17]

HI,
I have the Canon G3 and I love it.
In the beginning, I didn't know about macro, but I quickly figured it out.
Some people have been able to use a loupe to take pictures.
It's really up to your budget and what you plan to use the camera for.
I think consumer reports rated the Nikon Coolpix 2500 really well, and it is under $200 (I think).
That camera takes awesome pics too.
Here is a picture I took of my diamond.

 

[Got Rocks?]

Kayla, so you took that picture with the Canon G3? It looks fabulous. Did the macro come with it? Doyou mind me asking what price range it's in? Thanks, Denise

 

[ringbling17]

HI Denise,
When I purchased it in April, it had just come out, so it was a little bit more (close to MSRP, which was $800).
I think the prices have come down considerably since then. I am positive you can get it for under $500 online. Probably even under $400. I purchased mine online.
Try one of those sites where you can compare prices, such as mysimon.com.
Macro is a feature that comes with the camera. On my camera, it is a little button I push which zooms in. I did notice though that I have to put my camera on manual mode, instead of auto, to get better close ups.
The picture that I posted was in manual mode with macro on. I took the picture on the window sill, so I didn't need flash.
Another thing I have found is that it is sometimes better to take the picture from afar and then just crop the picture.
Hope this helps. That's really the extent of my camera knowledge!!!

By the way, congrats on the new diamond. What setting did you pick out?

 

[Got Rocks?]

Thanks for the advice!

I got this Fay Cullen setting

http://www.faycullen.com/mountingscloseup2.php?id=121

I hope you like it. It's very unique. I'm a little perturbed because my jeweler set my prongs a little crooked, and I guess I better leave well enough alone. I'm afraid if I get it worked on, it will be worse. You know what I mean.

 

[ringbling17]

Gorgeous ring!!! I especially like the prongs.
I know exactly what you mean about having the jeweler fix the prongs, some things are better left alone.
I can't wait for you to post the pictures of your new rings.
I myself recently got a very similar diamond- an ACA H&A from Whiteflash, almost the same size too, 2.03 carats.
I haven't decided on a setting yet, and currently have it in my old Royal Crown setting.
By the way, what did your jeweler charge to set the diamond for you. Just wondering in case I have to go that route.

 

[Fancy]

I did a search on pricescope and found this post by Walnut Crunch:


I haven't taken photos of a ring yet (that's because I'm still searching!) but I have taken close-ups of small objects with a digicam before. I can tell you how I would do it (it's by no means the only way); although all cameras are different so you'll have to read your manual for some of the features. I've checked the specs for the PDR-M65 and it looks like it's got many features so that's a good thing.

Here we go... Make sure your ring and the camera are both completely stationary (ring on table, camera on mini tripod or table), this is important because we're not going to use the flash (most point and shoot cameras' flash drowns out subjects in close range, and we want to control the lighting). Instead, position lighting (desk lamp, halogen spot light, etc.) so that the ring looks great thru the lens of the camera. The lens should be at wide angle (zoomed out) and positioned no less than about 4 inches from the ring. The ring will look small, but most point and shoot cameras can't focus any closer than this. You'll have to crop the picture later.

(Here's where you'll have to start using your camera's manual) Put your camera into Aperture Priority mode and choose the smallest aperture (puts more of the object in focus when the photo is taken). Choose the highest resolution (allows better cropped pictures later). Choose a low ISO (50 or 100). Turn on Macro Mode as well (usually a button, tells the camera that you want to focus on a close-up object). Turn off the flash. Turn on the 2-second timer (this will let you press and release the shutter button and let go of the camera, to eliminate camera shake that happens when there's no flash).

You can take the picture at this point, but I would manually adjust a couple more settings (if available). First of all, indoor lighting is usually orangy in colour. You'll want to choose a white balance setting on your camera to counteract that (the W/B setting is sometimes called Incandescent, and even better if you can set your own using a piece of paper). This will make the light look whiter and more natural. Also, if your camera has manual exposure setting, I'd set that too; but every camera is different and you can get by without it.

Now, you're ready to try taking the picture. Hold down the shutter button halfway, hopefully it'll indicate that focus as been achieved (green light or something). Go ahead and press it all the way and release (all the while keeping your fingers on your other hand crossed). You should have a picture in about 2 seconds. If it turns out, great. If not, keep trying. You'll want to crop out the ring in a photo editor.

You can try getting closer to the ring and start experimenting with other settings after you've got the hang of it. As I said, I don't have a ring yet, but this will be the first thing I try once I get it!

Good luck!

WC

 

[Got Rocks?]

Oh yes my jeweler charged because I didn't buy anything from him. I got the stone from GOG and the setting from fay cullen.

He had to size them, and set the stone. I went to the store 3 X and he didn't have them done, then he finally said, I'm almost finished, and I think that's how my prongs got set crooked. Also, there are a couple of tiny dents in the side of the milgrain. So I'm a little chapped. But there's not much I can do. The prongs are so 'off' that when you really look at it, it doesn't even look totally round and even. I took it to another jeweler and he said the stone would have to be completely removed and reset and he didn't want to risk harming such a nice stone. And of course, everyone tells me they can't see it unless I point it out. Obsessive, right? LOL. It's just that when you pay so much...you expect to have something just right.

I love the royal crown. What did you have in it previously?

 

[Got Rocks?]

Fancy, thank you so much. I appreciate that post so much.
I love your little kitties too.
I may just get my sister to take pix of my ring. I didn't know Id have to invest that much to get pictures of it. ! LOL