need lens advice (product photography)

[paperbox]

hi,

please recommend which lens to buy for product shoots with my 30D.

say if theres a studio setup with the lightings all, then what to look out for in the lens?

should it be a macro lens?

will appreciate some kind advise, new and keen learner here.

also btw any1 can point me to where i can read up on setting up a product shoot setup at home? like the equipment i'd need and how much to spend and all.

many thanks.

[chalib]

Originally Posted by paperbox hi, please recommend which lens to buy for product shoots with my 30D. say if theres a studio setup with the lightings all, then what to look out for in the lens? should it be a macro lens? will appreciate some kind advise, new and keen learner here. also btw any1 can point me to where i can read up on setting up a product shoot setup at home? like the equipment i'd need and how much to spend and all. many thanks.

Same here.... would be eager to know too

I have macro 100 f2.8 in mind....

[calebk]

For info on product shoot set ups, try Google.

For lens advice, it will really depend on how large the item is, and how much working space you have in the room that you are shooting.

[catchlights]

a small item on table top, 100mm macro lens is good,
bigger item, use 60mm marco.

if have low budget, use 50mm standard lens with extension tube or close up filter.

Google : "table top product photography", "light tent"

[Headshotzx]

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07...to-studio.html

For your DIY Light-tent needs.

[paperbox]

Originally Posted by Headshotzx http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07...to-studio.html For your DIY Light-tent needs.

thks for this!

thks catchlights for the google keywords, will do a study

[paperbox]

Originally Posted by catchlights a small item on table top, 100mm macro lens is good, bigger item, use 60mm marco. if have low budget, use 50mm standard lens with extension tube or close up filter. Google : "table top product photography", "light tent"

Hi Catchlight,

I've got a 50mm f1.8.

I've no idea whats an extension tube or close up fliter is (still very green to gadgets).

I am within my budget of investing on a 60mm macro, however I wouldnt mind 1st trying out on an extension tube and close up fliter.

How much do I have to spend on an extension tube and close up fliter?

Do I get better sharpness? or would you say I'd scrap that idea and go straight for a 60mm?

fyi I currently have a light tent with 3 lamps.

EDIT: btw I'm currently shooting with a Tamron 17-50, kinda dissatisfied by the picture quality.

[twnll]

Anybody do product shoot with a Tilt Shift lens? Almost like using a view camera!

[PictureFreak]

Originally Posted by paperbox Hi Catchlight, I've got a 50mm f1.8. I've no idea whats an extension tube or close up fliter is (still very green to gadgets). I am within my budget of investing on a 60mm macro, however I wouldnt mind 1st trying out on an extension tube and close up fliter. How much do I have to spend on an extension tube and close up fliter? Do I get better sharpness? or would you say I'd scrap that idea and go straight for a 60mm? fyi I currently have a light tent with 3 lamps. EDIT: btw I'm currently shooting with a Tamron 17-50, kinda dissatisfied by the picture quality.

A close-up filter like the Canon 500D close up filter allows you to convert a normal lens into a macro lens. It won;t give you a 1:1 ratio, but close. For example, it will increase the magnification of the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS from 0.21x to around 0.6x

Extension tube allows a lens to focus closer than it was originally supposed to. The end result of focusing closer is a larger magnification. A rough rule of thumb to use for the increased magnification is ...
Additional Magnification = (Extension Tube Length)/(Lens Focal Length)

Kenko has a set of extension tubes that you can get from Cathay Photo for around $250 i think. It comes in a set of 3 (12mm, 20mm and 36mm)

The Canon 500D Close up lens result in a higher magnification for longer telephoto lens, extension tubes on the other hand will result in higher magnification for shorter lens

Hope this helps

[paperbox]

Thks for painting such a nice picture!

Btw does this extra gadets affect the picture quality in anyway? Or does it spoil the lens at all?

Seems like selling of my 50mm for a proper 60mm macro will be a wiser option!

[PictureFreak]

Originally Posted by paperbox Thks for painting such a nice picture! Btw does this extra gadets affect the picture quality in anyway? Or does it spoil the lens at all? Seems like selling of my 50mm for a proper 60mm macro will be a wiser option!

Neither the extension tubes nor close up lens should affect the image quality. The 60mm macro lens has a comparatively slow auto-focus speed, so you would probably be manual focusing most of the time...Are you considering the 100mm macro lens?

[engrmariano]

EF 50 2.8 macro
EFS 60 2.8 macro
EF 100 2.8 macro

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by paperbox Hi Catchlight, I've got a 50mm f1.8. I've no idea whats an extension tube or close up fliter is (still very green to gadgets). I am within my budget of investing on a 60mm macro, however I wouldnt mind 1st trying out on an extension tube and close up fliter. How much do I have to spend on an extension tube and close up fliter? Do I get better sharpness? or would you say I'd scrap that idea and go straight for a 60mm? fyi I currently have a light tent with 3 lamps. EDIT: btw I'm currently shooting with a Tamron 17-50, kinda dissatisfied by the picture quality.

of course the macro lens will give you better image quality.
if you have the budget and will use it often, I don't why you should not buy a macro lens.
hope this help.

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by PictureFreak Neither the extension tubes nor close up lens should affect the image quality. The 60mm macro lens has a comparatively slow auto-focus speed, so you would probably be manual focusing most of the time...Are you considering the 100mm macro lens?

extension tubes or close up lens are the cheaper solution of close up photography, tho extension tubes will not really affect the image quality, but can't say the same thing to close up lens (filter),
bear in mind that the image quality is subject to the lens TS is using with the extension tubes or close up lens, can the corner to corner sharpness, color, resolution power of a 50mmf1.8 comparable to a 60mm macro lens?

as for the AF haunting issue, is due to low light entering the lens, using the extension tubes will have the same problems.

depends on what is the size of the items are TS shooting, a longer lens may not that practical, as need to keep walking in and out to adjust the position of the item and check the viewfinder for composition.

[de_stan]

Just to add on to this topic, is the 24-70 f2.8 a good enough lens for portraits and product shoots?

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by de_stan Just to add on to this topic, is the 24-70 f2.8 a good enough lens for portraits and product shoots?

24-70 f2.8 is one of the Canon top grade lens, I don't see why it can't use it on portrait and product shots.

If you are looking for a prime lens to shoot portrait, can consider the 85mm f1.2 or f1.8, 100mmf2, 135mmf2, 200mmf2.

if you are looking for a prime lens to shoot product, can consider all the macro lens plus TS-E 45mm f/2.8, and TS-E 90mm f/2.8

[paperbox]

thanks for the reply guys!

right now i am needing a better quality lens to shoot a shoe in a 60cm light tent.

my tamron 17-50 has some blur areas which is really bad.

am suddenly influxed by so many lens recommendations to consider!

my budget is below a $1000.

so how? buy extension tubes for my 50mm? get a 60mm?

this is pretty exciting

btw what is TS?

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by paperbox thanks for the reply guys! right now i am needing a better quality lens to shoot a shoe in a 60cm light tent. my tamron 17-50 has some blur areas which is really bad. am suddenly influxed by so many lens recommendations to consider! my budget is below a $1000. so how? buy extension tubes for my 50mm? get a 60mm? this is pretty exciting btw what is TS?

try to use your current set up, mount camera on a tripod, shoot at f11 or f16, post your photos here for evaluation, if the results is still unsatisfactory, can consider a better lens later.

I'm sure the 50f1.8 can handle a pair shoes.

[catchlights]

btw, how big are the final images gonne used?

[paperbox]

thks for ur reply catchlight.

the output can vary, some for super huge print, some as small for websites.

right now i cant shoot at such a high f stop because my censor is dirrty, specs will appear if i shoot higher that f10.

i'll see if i can find any samples to show the lack of sharpness i'm facing