Have a Canon EOS 550D and wonder if anyone has advice on a good lens for taking watch pics ? Not looking to spend a fortune, 99% of spare cash is reserved for watch purchases. Also any advice for a novice watch snapper appreciated.
"Fortune" is relative - a true macro lens like the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro will set you back ~$400. But this lens will give you a very short minimum focusing distance (7.5") - if compare that with the minimum focusing distance of a typical normal lens (45-55mm) of 1'.5". Most true macro lenses give a 1:1 maximum magnification. You have other more economical options, like close up lens adapters (from Hoya or Cokin) - you basically screw these in front of your normal lens to achieve a greater magnification - you will pay a lot less for these ($40-130) lenses but you should expect less picture quality. The minimum focusing distance from these varies and is dependent on the close up lens and the main lens that you use. Your other option is to get a true macro lens from a third party company like Sigma and that will save you a few dollars from a Canon lens (~$340).
That would be my recommendation as well, I love that lens. Here's one that I took with the Rebel Xsi and the 60mm:
Kyle, now that is what I would hope to achieve, eventually. Great opinions guys, more please. Santa list for Mrs
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro Thank you guys for your advice, a little research, not that I ever doubted you and that is the fella for me.
I've been thinking of a macro lens for my wife's Canon 400D. Its currently fitted with a Canon EFS 18-55mm which seems ok for general pics but isnt great at close up. Would the EFS 60mm f/2.8 Macro be a worthwhile addition? the picture from Kyle looks amazing using that lens. I see there are plenty of 2nd hand ones on ebay, I assume its ok to buy a 'lightly used' 2nd hand one? ..............think my wife needs a Christmas present
These girls sure are lucky, that's at least two with camera equipment for christmas. If mine is really lucky she may get a new watch, although it will be quite masculine in style.
I use a tamron 180mm macro attached to a nikon dslr. Every watch pic obviously shot with a tripod. The longer focal length just works for the fairly standard way I take watch pictures. The shorter prime macro lenses even those made by a third party should be equally superb.
I think the magic word is "Tripod" I have to admit that I only used to use the tripod out of doors but since using it for watch shots I have seen a marked improvement
I have an opposite problem: The watch photos appear to be too sharp - showing sorry blemishes that I do not see with my bare eyes. Certainly one would not want to show those images without softening them if one wants to sell the watch, right? To me that would present an unfair "reality" of the watch. How do you deal with this problem? Or is it a problem?
Buy watches in better condition or get your perscription checked. Macro photography brings out imperfections invisible to the naked eye and we do want to see every blemish.
Those pictures of the Zenith El Primero someone posted under a microscope make it look like it was hacked together in someone's basement.
It might have been - it was a gray market piece from amazon. His later examination of one from an AD was a whole different story.
