Which is the best lens for jewelry photography?
Consider several criteria before choosing the best lens for your camera, especially for the shooting or macro jewelry photography, and photography of precious stones, semi-precious stones or watches. This involves the details you wish to present, the complexity of a stone or more simply the diffusion media you use for your visuals.
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1. Is it possible to use a standard camera lens for jewelry photography?
The standard 18-135mm lens is often supplied in kit form with entry-level DSLR cameras such as the Canon EOS 800D (expect to pay between 700 and 800 euros for the camera plus lens kit). If you’re photographing your jewelry for a low definition web display for a website, it will do the trick. To make high definition and more complex visuals and/or photograph specific jewelry or gems, you will have to opt for a macro lens.
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2. When to use a macro lens for jewelry photography?
Use a macro lens to capture, for example, all the details of gold or silver jewelry with intricate patterns and ornaments. You can also use a watermark lens to show details in watermarks, to publish visuals on media such as print that require higher image quality and resolution. There are two types of macro lenses for APS-C SLR cameras and Full Frame. Choose a focal length of 100 mm or more. The higher the focal length, the more you can keep the camera away from the subject and have a reduced field of view.
- Read our article on what equipment to choose for jewelry photography
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3. Two examples of macro lenses for your Canon camera dedicated to jewelry photography
- One of Canon’s flagship models is the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. Equipped with a latest-generation hybrid stabilizer, this lens offers perfect control of chromatic aberrations.
- The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens is adaptable to Canon. It is more affordable than the previous model, and is suitable for macro photography of jewelry. This lens is also more than sufficient for use with a packshot photo studio dedicated to macro jewelry photography.
