Help needed ! Which lens would be the best for taking pictures of products?

To be more specific, computer related products. (if it makes any difference).

Thanks, Sarel.

You have quite a few great lenses already. Are you asking which one of those to use or what other lens to buy? What size are the products? Makes a difference. Given the money and some time to learn how to use it, the 90/2.8 TS-E is probably the best overall studio product lens made.

Thank you so much for your quick and kind reply.
Actually, I am not the one to take the pictures, I was asked by a good friend of mine and since I never took shots of things like that, I posted this thread.

The items are computer related products such as VGA cards, 3.5" HDD enclosure. (I would say sizes of 15CM-40CM items.

Sarel.

Focal length choice (for virtually any shoot) would depend on several variables including the chosen distance between the camera and the subject as well as the format of the camera (size of the film frame or digital sensor), in addition to the size of the subject.

I think the lenses you have will cover most things your going to shoot, the only other lens i can think that would be usefull would be a macro lens depending on what the client wants.

Chris

Any standard macro lens is a great flexible lens for that kind of shooting, however the 90mm TS-E is even better in many regards in spite of the fact that it can't focus as close (without extension tubes).

I think you have good lenses for that already. The 35L prime would probably be a great product lens. I shoot product shots for my wife's online shop all the time - she makes handmade bags, purses, wallets, etc. I find that my 24mm f/1.8 prime is best for normal to large-size purses and bag, while the nifty fifty is perfect for smaller items like wallets. The 24mm is actually a bit wider that I need, so 30-50mm should be a good range. Personally, I worry more about lighting and proper color. A good light tent is essential as well as a good way of getting good white balance.

Thank you guys.
I think I didn't explain myself too well, this is not for me.
My good friend asked for my advise of what kind of gear he should buy.
(he is located in HK while I am in Israel, that makes my lenses abit too hard to use...)
He will be the one shooting the pictures.

Sarel wrote in post #6603341
Thank you guys.
I think I didn't explain myself too well, this is not for me.
My good friend asked for my advise of what kind of gear he should buy.
(he is located in HK while I am in Israel, that makes my lenses abit too hard to use...)
He will be the one shooting the pictures.

Suggest that he use what he has to determine an appropriate focal length range. Then, if there are additional requirements for a specialized lens he can have an idea of what he needs.

It depends on budget:

My take is:

No budget: 50mm 1.8
In the middle: 60mm 2.8 Macro
No restrictions: 90mm 2.8 TS-E

Assuming it's a crop sensor, anything above 50mm is too long unless you want to shoot from across the room. You will want to get up close, with a wide view but not so wide it creates distortion. One or two fast primes would be great.

You will be shooting at f/8 through f/16 most likely unless you want some sort of artistic half focused image. Get a good tripod. Use mirror lockup & 2 second self timer or a remote release. I love live-view for these sorts of shots and will use manual focus.

I did some product photography recently and found I needed extension tubes to get close enough for the small details. I was using my 85 f/1.8. My company bought a camera for this task and a Sigma 70mm f/2.8 macro lens. Yes you have to be back a bit but there are perspective benefits from shooting from 8 feet rather than 3.

If you never need to shoot anything smaller than 150mm then a non-macro lens will work. If you want to capture objects or details in the 25mm to 150mm range, you'll probably need macro capability.

All assuming you're shooting on APS-C crop bodies, of course.

Thank you all for your kind help !

Sarel.

I use a 50 f2.5 macro or 100 f2.8 macro for most product work but sometimes 35 f1.4L

I would go with a 90mm TSE. The lens gives you the ability to expand the frame by shifting the lens over. Designers love it when you give them more crop options.