Youngster creating own business needs HELP!!!!

[Min]

Hi i am a beginner photographer and really am getting to grips with my first ever camera which is: Sony Cybershot DSC-P100.

Recently i have had the opportunity to get involved with jewellery trade and now i am looking to take pictures of jewellery and loose gemstones i have so i can publish them on the net.

I have brought all the required lighting - e.g sparker light and two other lights to shine onto the jewellery, also got surfaces and a lightcube to eliminate glare.

The problem i have is with my camera - do you know which settings would be best to take clear pictures showing facets of the gemstones with my camera.

I know this may not be ideal camera for shooting such peices, therefore, if anyone has any advice on which camera would be more suitable for closeup professional type shots i would be very grateful. I have a $500 budget to work with if i have to buy a new camera. However, my previous camera was rather expensive when i purchased it so would rather i use that. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Speed]

Hi i am a beginner photographer and really am getting to grips with my first ever camera which is: Sony Cybershot DSC-P100.

Recently i have had the opportunity to get involved with jewellery trade and now i am looking to take pictures of jewellery and loose gemstones i have so i can publish them on the net.

I have brought all the required lighting - e.g sparker light and two other lights to shine onto the jewellery, also got surfaces and a lightcube to eliminate glare.

The problem i have is with my camera - do you know which settings would be best to take clear pictures showing facets of the gemstones with my camera.

I know this may not be ideal camera for shooting such peices, therefore, if anyone has any advice on which camera would be more suitable for closeup professional type shots i would be very grateful. I have a $500 budget to work with if i have to buy a new camera. However, my previous camera was rather expensive when i purchased it so would rather i use that. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

While I'm not familiar with that particular camera, if it has a macro setting, that would be a good place to start. Also, if it allows you to adjust the apeture, then use a deep apeture (f16 or so). You may also be able to get a macro adapter for the camera, if they make one.

While digital SLR cameras are fairly expensive (the cheapest run about $750 - Nikon D50), you can get a film camera with a decent macro lens for $500. You'll have to scan the images, or have your lab scan them, but it's one way of doing it. But for posting on the web, a digital camera is the way to go. Especially if you can swing it with your existing gear. Digital camera images are cleaner, sharper and require a lot less work than film scans - at least for me. A good lab will make great scans for you, but they may still need some touching up.

Hope this helps some.