You might also consider adding a turntable to your gear list. If you're forced to use a tripod, placing the products on a circular, rotating table will allow you to photograph all the difference sides of a product without having to move the camera. :-)
Plus, you can reverse the turntable and the product will say "Paul is dead".Originally Posted by Sean Setters
Not to throw a wrench into the discussion - more of a pair of pliers actually - why the need for a macro lens at all? Are we talking about jewelery and not dents on jewelery? Even then, so many lenses could serve the purpose - and have stabilization to boot. I've been running around taking shots this morning with my new 70D, and while I'd call my 6D the king of indoors - I've gotten some pretty nice shots with just available light and small objects. I love my EF 100/2.8L IS, but you've got to be sure you've set the focus distance to where it needs to be, or pretty much nothing happens. I think a lot of people would be disappointed if they wanted to use this as an all around sort of prime. It's slow and it's fussy. But yes, it's dangerously sharp.
These shots below are literally not an hour old, and are out of camera JPEG (haven't looked at the RAW) as Bryan had said the JPEG was greatly improved from the last generation crops. And, they are nice! The first 2 are taken with my Sigma 17-50/2.8 OS. I might need to do a bit of MFA, it looks like it might be front focusing. The second is with the EF 24-70/2.8 II. These are all crops 1:1 100% at 1200x800
I seriously think that you could shoot pretty much anything you'd want, including jewelery without a macro lens. The advantage of macro is the 1:1 capability, and I think you're trying to sell a product, not show the imperfections in the metal and dust specs. I really think that there are some better choices that would serve you very well. A less expensive and more flexible/shorter lens with stabilization would also free up your budget for things like lighting or a turntable or...
This is a crop same as above. Bee and Yongnuo YN-14EX flash - EF100/2.8L @ f7.1, 1/60, ISO 100. We've kept bees for years - who knew they had fuzzy eyes?
But then, if you plan on using the macro as a macro (don't forget about extension tubes either!) then both of the Canon's are fantastic lenses. And honestly, if I can get stabilization I will. It's just that extra little bit when I need it. I wish the 24-70 had it (regardless of arguments over whether or not it would degrade the overall IQ), it's currently the only modern lens I have without it.
Hahahahah! I guess I'm the only one old enough to get this reference.Plus, you can reverse the turntable and the product will say "Paul is dead".
Actually, if I recall correctly, John was [incorrectly] heard to say, "I burried Paul." It was Nietzsche's who write "Gott ist tot" ("God is dead").
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