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Product photos for website, plus all-around family camera
spardue27 | Asked  a year ago | Last response was a year ago

I'm looking at T3i and D5100, also open to other suggestions, price range below $1000, preferably below $800.   I will be using camera for product shots for a website - needlecraft items, important to accurately capture color and details, product sizes mostly between 3" and 14" in size.  Will also use as my general family camera for family gatherings, vacations, photos of flowers in our garden, etc. 

 

Looking for easy to learn (this will be my first DSLR), crisp detail in product photos, and accurate color reproduction.  Will be nice to have video capabilility, may use for You-Tube videos for website, but overall, I am more concerned with performance on still shots.  Planning to add a 50mm 1.8 lense and a snap-on macro lens to whichever camera I choose.

Which camera do you recommend for spardue27?

Canon T3i - $549
17.9 MP|APS-C CMOS|3" LCD
Nikon D5100 - $497
16.1 MP|APS-C CMOS|3" LCD
2 Answers
  1. Intermediate II
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    2
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    a year ago Chaotic-Light recommends both cameras

    These two are both very similar, and with the nifty 50mm you will have a nice package.  Might want to get a cheap kit lens like the 18-55 or nicer 18-135mm as the 50mm is going to be a little tight indoors for general use on a cropped sensor camera.  If you have friends or family with one of these two brands then you could share equipment if you get the same kind.  What is going to be more important for product photos is lighting.  If you don't have the right light then you will not get accurate color no matter how good you camera is.  Google DIY light box to get some ideas. 

    http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

    1. Visitor
      a year ago spardue27
      Thanks - I should have mentioned in my original post that I will most likely get a 18-55mm kit lens with the camera body. You say the 18-135 is nicer? I'm a DSLR newbie - what would make that nicer, and which one (18-55 or 18-135) is better suited for all-purpose use?
    2. Intermediate II
      a year ago Chaotic-Light
      Canon uses the designation EF-S, for its lenses designed specifically for cropped sensor cameras and EF for film and full frame. Nikon has a similar designation DX for small sensor and FX for full frame. Because the sensor is smaller, these lenses can be made smaller and lighter producing similar results to those designed for full frame sensors. The 18-135 lens is built a little better, uses a micro USM motor (a bit quieter and faster), and has a much more useful range. Another bonus is that the front element does not rotate allowing you to use a polarized lens filter. The only draw back is the size. It is about twice the weight of the 18-55. If you don't need the wide end and are on a budget, the 28-105mm is a cheap alternative, but you give up IS and range on both ends. However, you do get a true USM motor with is very fast and silent. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-18-135mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-Lens-Review.aspx
    3. Visitor
      a year ago spardue27
      Thanks again - I can see that I have a lot to learn!
    Reply
  2. Intermediate I
    Nikon D5100
    Evangelist
    0
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    a year ago Henri-De-Vreese recommends the Nikon D5100

    I would take the Nikon D5100, because of it's good low light performance and amazing image quality. Or the D3100/3200 wich is cheaper and easier to use.

    1. Visitor
      a year ago spardue27
      Thanks - the Nikons do take amazing images! My point and shoot cameras have been Canon for years, but I'm really feeling drawn to these Nikons.
    Reply

Summary

2 Recommendations for
Nikon D5100
1 Recommendation for
Canon 600D / T3i

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