p.1 #1 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
Currently shooting with a 6D Mark II & 100mm EF lens.
Looking to upgrade the camera body but keep the lens.
Cost is not an constrain, but if spending more I want to make sure I'm getting a noticeably better result or at least saving time.
Specific uses:
1) Jewelry photos. Using a light tent and 2 strobes. And image stacking with external software.
2) Just started taking jewelry videos on a turntable. Using a light tent and constant LED lighting.
The main reason for the upgrade is the 6D cant do 4K video. 1080 is not high enough, But an improvement in my still photos would be a huge bonus.
Cameras I'm considering: R5, R6, R7, & R8
Easy choice is to just buy the R5 and be done. But if a lesser camera will get the same results for my use, why pay more?
If you were me, which would you buy and why?
p.1 #2 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
I don't think any will make a big difference in your stills since that's mostly driven by lighting. The R6 will do 4K video, but you only get about 30 minutes before it overheats and needs to rest. I believe the R6Mk2 has greatly extended this time. The R5 had some firmware updates that improved its 4K overheating time. I don't know how the R7 and R8 are in this respect.
p.1 #4 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
If you were happy with the 20MP size of the 6D, maybe consider the R6 MK II: 24MP, unlimited 4K video (well, until the battery dies) and has the improved AF design of the R3 (tracking in spot, single, expanded, etc.). Also has auto focus bracketing with in-camera stacking. I don't shoot jewelry but the R6 MK II has worked great for me for flower and critter macro, low light and shooting 4K video onstage.
Apr 24, 2024 at 04:25 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.1 #5 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
JewelryPhotographer wrote:
Currently shooting with a 6D Mark II & 100mm EF lens.
Looking to upgrade the camera body but keep the lens.
Cost is not an constrain, but if spending more I want to make sure I'm getting a noticeably better result or at least saving time.
Specific uses:
1) Jewelry photos. Using a light tent and 2 strobes. And image stacking with external software.
2) Just started taking jewelry videos on a turntable. Using a light tent and constant LED lighting.
The main reason for the upgrade is the 6D cant do 4K video. 1080 is not high enough, But an improvement in my still photos would be a huge bonus.
Cameras I'm considering: R5, R6, R7, & R8
Easy choice is to just buy the R5 and be done. But if a lesser camera will get the same results for my use, why pay more?
If you were me, which would you buy and why?...Show more →
I know macro got a lot easier on an aps sensor vs film, so you might look at the aps cameras as well. Although 6D2 is pretty recent and I'm skeptical you are going to see much if any improvement in stills
p.1 #6 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
Ray Swindle wrote:
R5C because it was designed to be a video camera or a high megapixel still camera. It has independent video and stills menu and power switches.
p.1 #10 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
. In camera focus stacking will be your new favorite feature for stills.
With shiny jewelry, it may not be quite such a great feature due to out of focus highlights spilling from one frame to the next in the sequence. I suggest you need a good macro lens with minimal longitudinal CA. That is more important than the body, where pretty well anything will do
p.1 #11 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
Thanks everyone for their input!
I just ordered the R6 MII + EF lens adaptor.
Question:
Will upgrading from EF 100mm macro lens to RF 100mm lead to any noticeable image quality gain, even if very minor?
As mentioned before, cost is not a constraint, my company is paying for it and I want to get them the best quality output, but also don't want to waste money if there's no actual improvement.
p.1 #12 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
JewelryPhotographer wrote:
Thanks everyone for their input!
I just ordered the R6 MII + EF lens adaptor.
Question:
Will upgrading from EF 100mm macro lens to RF 100mm lead to any noticeable image quality gain, even if very minor?
As mentioned before, cost is not a constraint, my company is paying for it and I want to get them the best quality output, but also don't want to waste money if there's no actual improvement.
Which EF 100? The short answer is most likely very little optical improvement unless you're using one of the older ones (the non-L ones without the red ring).. However the RF has 1.4x macro capabilities whereas the EF goes to 1x / 1:1. Not sure if that matters to you.
p.1 #13 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
I have the: EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
1.4x magnification vs 1.0x, correct? That could make a difference because the item being photographed would take up more of the frame leading to more megapixels. But, on the other hand, we don't really need more pixels, the photos/videos are being used online, so probably no end benefit.
p.1 #14 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
BrandonSi wrote:
Which EF 100? The short answer is most likely very little optical improvement unless you're using one of the older ones (the non-L ones without the red ring).. However the RF has 1.4x macro capabilities whereas the EF goes to 1x / 1:1. Not sure if that matters to you.
Even the EF 100/2.8L fringes with longitudinal chromatic aberration throughout its aperture range. In less contrasty compositions it can be tamed, but jewelry is really the opposite of that.
The RF is far better in this regard, as are some third party options - but those will sacrifice AF and probably stabilization (important if OP goes for R5C).
p.1 #15 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
Lens, lighting and technique matter far more than the camera for something like this, although if you're trying to get very specific results (long 4k videos or something), that comes into play for the body.
Honestly the lowest point of entry would be an R100 or R50, paired with the lens you already have, then just tinkering with it. The R50 would give you better focus and video, along with a swiveling touchscreen that is easier to work with on a tripod. I saw that you already got the R6II which will work great, but honestly for studio macro stuff, small sensor would be just fine.
p.1 #16 · Best Conon Camera for Jewelry Photography
ISO1600 wrote:
Lens, lighting and technique matter far more than the camera for something like this ...
Agreed. I do a lot of tabletop including jewelry and art pieces. Deciding on presentation and then designing the lighting scheme is the bulk of the work. Many lenses can serve the purpose although I often select a tilt/shift. For stills, the camera is almost irrelevant: I use a mix of Nikon DSLR, MILC, Sony MILC, and used a Canon 1Ds for ten years.
A more elaborate setup with Sony A7ii and Canon TS-E 135/4L:
Jewelry is typically shiny so managing highlights is a central concern, both with lighting and during post.
