Wristwatch photography with G2?

[tsdiss]

Help! Newbie to this forum looking for tips to get better watch photos with my G2. Using a light tent, copy stand, several lights, but can't seem to get crisp, sharp focus. Also using Breeze Systems remote capture software. Need direction with specific settings and distance from watches to get the best pics.

[jon1996]

First welcome to this great forum!, I have a G6, I hae never used or seen a G2, What have you tried so far? Are you using a tri-pod? Does it have a super macro mode?, If I knew what setting you have tried I may be able to help, But Good lighting, Tri-pod, And start about 6 inches from it and slowy go closer,
later,
jon

[Don Ellis]

Hmm... you seem to have everything you need for decent photos, especially the light tent. I just got one myself and this was the second shot I took in it...

http://kleptography.com/dl/pro1/rolex_macro.jpg

This was taken with a Pro 1 but I spent four years with my G2 and you should be able to get the same results. Here are a few thoughts...

1. Considering your set-up, I would imagine you're using a tripod, yes? If not, you need to be.

2. Secondly, you'll be using ISO50, RAW, and macro mode (most likely). If you want the watch filling the frame, you'll need macro filters and a Lensmate adapter (although you don't mention closeness as being a problem). If you decide you want to go that way, however, let me know and I'll make some filter suggestions.

3. I don't know what to say about crisp focus... you take the photo when the green box appears. I assume you are then running your images through an image enhancement program. You need to sharpen anything you take, after the fact, rather than in-camera.

With those ramblings, I'll wait for a few more details from you.

Cheers,

Don

[superkully]

Don't know about the G2 but I have problems focussing at macro distances with my G5, my suggestions:

- Close down the aperature to at least f5.6 and focus manually.
- Use a tripod (ah.. I see you're using a copy stand as it is).
- Switch on Macro mode

Nice shot BTW Don, what a difference a tent makes - I've been shooting some stuff on my desk with a diffused desk lamp and controlling the highlights and shadows is impossible...

[Don Ellis]

Don't know about the G2 but I have problems focussing at macro distances with my G5, my suggestions:

- Close down the aperature to at least f5.6 and focus manually.
- Use a tripod (ah.. I see you're using a copy stand as it is).
- Switch on Macro mode
Good advice, although I never use manual focus myself, I'm sure that it's worth a try.

Nice shot BTW Don, what a difference a tent makes - I've been shooting some stuff on my desk with a diffused desk lamp and controlling the highlights and shadows is impossible...
Thanks... to paraphrase from the original post with this image (about a week ago): I was in a hurry, so I didn't bother putting it on a stand -- just plopped it on black velvet and shot. It was taken at full zoom (200mm equivalent) with the 500D Macro Lens about 14 inches away from the watch. I did very little post-processing -- auto-contrast, resizing and sharpening. I did clone out a couple of dust particles that I hadn't wiped off. As you can see, the image turned out quite well for a reflective surface.

So you can imagine what kind of results I'll get if I actually take a little care. :mrgreen:

It took me a while to decide to buy a tent and I don't know how often I'll use it, but it's invaluable when you need it and I'm glad I have it. As you said, relying on natural or directional or non-diffused lighting is not only too much trouble, but often make it impossible to take a decent shot. I also purchased four 30W daylight-balanced compact fluorescents. They're perfect. Being lazy, I don't even have to use a gray card -- just shoot auto white balance and post-process normally.

Cheers,

Don