Lens for Product Shots

[dmilwain]

Hi, I'm posting this for my father as he is doing a lot of product shots in the next few weeks. The products are usually small boxes and tubes etc, and he doesn't have a huge room to work in.
He has a 300D w/ 18-55, 75-300 USM, and is awaiting a 70-200 f/4 I ordered for him today.
I'm thinking something between 50-100 would be great, preferably a zoom, with a price of less than $1000 CAD

Options I came up with:
50 f/1.4 [$499.99]
85 f/1.8 [$549.99]
100 f/2.8 macro [$799.99]
24-85 f/3.5-4.5 [$489.99]
28-135 f/3.5-5.6 [$649.99]

Please let me know which of the above would be best suited for his situation, and offer other alternative lens choices.

Thanks a lot,
David

[MadMesh]

any prime would do too. If u want to stay cheap and good, get the nifty-fifty. 50mm f/1.8

[dmilwain]

I would agree with you, but I have the nifty fifty and don't think it's sharp enough for what he's going to be doing.

[condyk]

Where will the images end up: web or print? If the latter, newsprint or magazine quality? The Nifty will be fine for web: I used mine a lot for that.

Have a look at schmoelzel recent images with his Tamron. Could suit you!

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86800

Maybe you need to think about a good flash too.

[MadMesh]

as long as your not shooting WIDE open, and using strobes, i think the nifty fifty would be great.. like f/4 or - f/8

The 100mm macro is also a good lens to consider, It till allow you to get real up close and personal with objects, IF you need to.

[dmilwain]

thanks,

of the sigma 28-70 2.8 and the tamron 28-75 2.8 which is superior?

-dave

[FlyingPete]

any prime would do too. If u want to stay cheap and good, get the nifty-fifty. 50mm f/1.8

I second that, I do alot of product shooting (recently candles and gift boxes) and the 50mm f/1.8 is my money lens, just don't forget to stop it down.

I would agree with you, but I have the nifty fifty and don't think it's sharp enough for what he's going to be doing.

You must stop the 50/1.8 own to get sharp results, anyway the sharpness required depends on what the shots are going to be used for, some of my shots taken on the 50/1.8 at f/8 have been blown up to A2 posters, and they still look great.

This is the image that was blown up to A2, I will see if I can post a 100% shot for detail when I get home:
http://www.lowden.orcon.net.nz/Portfolio/Product/Chook.jpg

[10Dennis]

I suggest getting the 100mm 2.8 macro for this purpose. Great value, great quality and very sharp. I am getting one myself soon for my food shots.

JDennis

[CorruptedPhotographer]

TS-E 45 or 90 ?

[Jon]

TS-E 45 or 90 ?

I don't think those are under $1000 Ca$.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Jon, true, I didnt notice the CAD$. I thought he was referring to USD$.
thanks for pointing that out though. :D

[condyk]

of the sigma 28-70 2.8 and the tamron 28-75 2.8 which is superior?


I liked the Tamron when I had it but the new Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 DG Macro is possibly a better all round option in anything other than weight. But not much in it, so either will be a good buy. The 28-70 is an older model, which is also good.