Macro lens for jewelry

igabc · 07-07-2018, 01:36 AM

Hi all!

What lens do you suggest for jewelry photography?
thanks!
Gabriele

Wild Mark · 07-07-2018, 01:45 AM

Any of the Pentax 50mm macro lenses (AF or not). The F, FA and DFA are apparently all the same optics with differences being in build and element coatings.

The M100 f4 is excellent and quite inexpensive - it is manual but that should not matter. Only problem is this lens tends to get haze in the front element grouping.

The F, FA and DFA 100mm macros are excellent but might be a little to 'tele' for jewelry.

The DA 35mm 2.8 macro is excellent but I would suggest is the last choice as the image quality is not quite as good as the 50mm.

Check out the lens database for these.

LensBeginner · 07-07-2018, 02:17 AM

I'd say it depends a lot on the size of the items, and their position.

If you're photographing rings and precious stones, then a 100mm could be ideal; but if you're photographing necklaces, then it's probably too long, as @Wild Mark suggested.

Also, if the necklaces are not parallel to the sensor (and they rarely are, if positioned on a bust), you're gonna need lots of DoF, either by stopping down or by stacking in PP. In those cases a smaller sensor would probably be "better".

Bear in mind that, at equal magnifications, the focal length of the macro lens used has no impact on DoF, only on working distance.

honey bo bo · 07-07-2018, 06:45 AM

Jewellery in the rough - Sample is about 1 " X 3/4"
Pentax SMC- M MACRO 50mm f4 @ f4
Lens cost me $70 Note the shallowest DOF @ f4

Last edited by honey bo bo; 10-04-2018 at 06:05 AM.

Wheatfield · 07-07-2018, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by igabc

Hi all!

What lens do you suggest for jewelry photography?
thanks!
Gabriele

This is being discussed at some length in this recent thread:
Best Low Cost Macro Lens for Pentax K - PentaxForums.com

07-07-2018, 01:36 AM	#1
igabc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 130	Macro lens for jewelry Hi all! What lens do you suggest for jewelry photography? thanks! Gabriele

07-07-2018, 06:45 AM	#4
honey bo bo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 768	Gold in its Natural State Jewellery in the rough - Sample is about 1 " X 3/4" Pentax SMC- M MACRO 50mm f4 @ f4 Lens cost me $70 Note the shallowest DOF @ f4 Last edited by honey bo bo; 10-04-2018 at 06:05 AM.

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07-07-2018, 01:45 AM	#2
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Any of the Pentax 50mm macro lenses (AF or not). The F, FA and DFA are apparently all the same optics with differences being in build and element coatings. The M100 f4 is excellent and quite inexpensive - it is manual but that should not matter. Only problem is this lens tends to get haze in the front element grouping. The F, FA and DFA 100mm macros are excellent but might be a little to 'tele' for jewelry. The DA 35mm 2.8 macro is excellent but I would suggest is the last choice as the image quality is not quite as good as the 50mm. Check out the lens database for these.

07-07-2018, 02:17 AM	#3
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	I'd say it depends a lot on the size of the items, and their position. If you're photographing rings and precious stones, then a 100mm could be ideal; but if you're photographing necklaces, then it's probably too long, as @Wild Mark suggested. Also, if the necklaces are not parallel to the sensor (and they rarely are, if positioned on a bust), you're gonna need lots of DoF, either by stopping down or by stacking in PP. In those cases a smaller sensor would probably be "better". Bear in mind that, at equal magnifications, the focal length of the macro lens used has no impact on DoF, only on working distance.

07-07-2018, 07:48 AM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,976	Originally posted by igabc Hi all! What lens do you suggest for jewelry photography? thanks! Gabriele This is being discussed at some length in this recent thread: Best Low Cost Macro Lens for Pentax K - PentaxForums.com

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