First budget DSLR - under $400 w/ lens - Product shots

[MayflowerElectronics]

So we are looking to shoot our own products in house. We are looking for a DSLR with a lens for under $400.

 

We plan on shoot a few videos, but mostly close up shots of products. We already purchased a light box for this.

 

So far, i've looked at the T3 and D3100, do you have any suggestions? I will be buying from eBay, refurbished or new units. I've found that eBay has the cheapest units so far, unless you know of a website that is cheaper.

 

Thanks!

[ttam]

The D3100 easily out performs the Canon T3 and is a camera I would recommend to anyone looking for a cheaper but very effective DSLR camera. Another option for a decent upgrade is going to be the Nikon D5100 which seems to be around the same price range (Buying the body and lens separate can save a decent amount of money.) These bodies typically come with the 18-55mm lens in the kit and it's a great lens. I had the D5100 for a couple of years which was used mainly for product and promotion shots for my company which performed impressively.

[Youbetternot]

Can't wait to see your products on Youtube, I know our forum members will help you find the rite setup for you  Lil Chillbil

Nikon D3100

D3100 on amazon 450

D5100

D5100 on amazon is at the 500 mark

 

Will add more when more pops up, so you can just click instead of googling

@MayflowerElectronics

[simtransporter]

I agree with @ttam. The D5100 is a good budget option, it also has an adjustable side-hinging LCD screen, which may be useful in some cases.

[MayflowerElectronics]

The Nikon D3100 is a camera I would easily recommend over the Cannon T3. If you can also find Nikon D5100 (they seem to be near the same price, with the D5100 being just a hair more) I would say go for that. Both of these cameras will perform great in low light and since you said you purchased a light box, they will take great quality images. The stock lenses that come with the camera bodies have performed well from my use of them.

 

I had the D5100 for a couple of years for use in taking pictures for my company and was impressed.

 

Alright I'll look for the Nikon's.

 

Is there anything else your recommend for product shots other than a light box?

[Puppet]

Alright I'll look for the Nikon's.

 

Is there anything else your recommend for product shots other than a light box?

 

Yes pick up some speedlights...

 

If its for stills shouldn't matter which path you take for a body, concentrate on lenses and lighting.

[CaptainSi]

Alright I'll look for the Nikon's.

 

Is there anything else your recommend for product shots other than a light box?

Softbox**

Nikon D3100 is what you're after at this price point. I'd go for three softboxes, one for key, one for fill and one to light up the background, which will help separate the product from whatever behind it. On all of the low end Nikon's suggested you'll be using an APS-C sized sensor, which is quite capable of shallow depth of field, so you can take advantage of cluttered backgrounds and set pieces as they'll be nicely blurred out. and can give an interesting aesthetic.

Don't skimp on the lighting, good lighting means low iso, low iso means low noise, and noise free, clear video/photos looks vastly more professional. Also, use diffusers (or bounce) your lighting - I'm assuming the products you'll be shooting are soundcards and other glossy/metallic items, and a glaring reflection of a light bulb is pretty nasty, so avoid it!

[MayflowerElectronics]

Softbox**

Nikon D3100 is what you're after at this price point. I'd go for three softboxes, one for key, one for fill and one to light up the background, which will help separate the product from whatever behind it. On all of the low end Nikon's suggested you'll be using an APS-C sized sensor, which is quite capable of shallow depth of field, so you can take advantage of cluttered backgrounds and set pieces as they'll be nicely blurred out. and can give an interesting aesthetic.

Don't skimp on the lighting, good lighting means low iso, low iso means low noise, and noise free, clear video/photos looks vastly more professional. Also, use diffusers (or bounce) your lighting - I'm assuming the products you'll be shooting are soundcards and other glossy/metallic items, and a glaring reflection of a light bulb is pretty nasty, so avoid it!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230784309613?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

That's the softbox I picked up. I can tell the lights that are included are junk, any suggestions?

 

I'm looking at a refurbished 5100. I know I don't need it, but I like the features that they have, and the 3100 and 5100 are nearly the same price.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141059381335?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648 - 5100

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3100-14-2MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-with-18-55mm-VR-Nikkor-Zoom-Lens-Black-/271265816344?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item3f28b3df18 - 3100

 

I can pick up the body for - 310

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refurbished-Nikon-D3100-14-2MP-3-LCD-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-/140902895775?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item20ce77909f

 

Here is an example of our products.

 

[Puppet]

The CRI on continuous lights is usually junk...

 

If you are on a budget Yongnuo make some rip offs of the Canon/Nikon speedlights. I use 560-IIs as back ups and to be honest I can't really tell the difference between them and the Canon 580s, definitely worth what you pay for them.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-YN-560-Speedlight-Flash-Nikon/dp/B0079M711S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380382440&sr=8-1&keywords=yongnuo+560+ii

 

You just need some wireless triggers or a ttl cord, from there you can start looking at light modifiers...

[Silvercall]

Instead of Ebay, I would probably  purchase gear from B&H Photo, Adorama or KEH.  Better piece of mind if something goes wrong:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Nikon&ci=15488&N=4294182649+4291315846

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Used&cat2=Nikon%20Digital&cat3=Cameras&sel=ItemCondition_UsedItems&Startat=1

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Digital/system-Nikon-Digital/category-Camera-Outfits?s=1&bcode=DN&ccode=1&cc=80172&r=WG&f

 

Ive purchased from all three and they have great service.  KEH is pretty conservative when it comes to rating the condition of their products.  I would recommend the following:

 

- At least one flash which you would shoot OFF camera.  It will drastically improve the photo. Look for an SB600 or SB700.  (At this time, one flash, umbrella/softbox, and reflector may be all you need.)

- tripod.  If you want the sharpest photos, this will be your best bet.  Also, it helps when you need to compose the picture as the camera stays where it needs to be and you can just adjust the products.

- a reflector. Something like this:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800991878-USE/creative_light_100857_5_in_1_reflector_38_95cm.html you use it on the opposite side of the flash or light source to lighten the shadowed side of the subject/product, pretty handy. A large white poster board will do the same trick.

- a shoot through umbrella or softbox (highly recommended).  What you have linked above IS NOT a softbox.  It is more a mini studio with lights.  A softbox is literally a box that you shot your flash through.  An umbrella can do the same thing but for a lot cheaper.  A softbox will defuse the light nice though....  

This is a softbox: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800942712-USE/lastolite_ll_ls2496_ezybox_softbox_36_x.html  There are many different shapes, sizes and companies that make them.  You will have to decide what is best for you... I would probably go for a shoot through umbrella: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423631-REG/Impact_UBBW60_60_Convertible_Umbrella.html I have one just like it and its pretty versatile. 

- light stand to hold your flash and light modifier. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lightstands/ci/5799/N/4062040357

- In order to shoot the flash off camera, you will have to trigger the off camera flash somehow.  There are a few ways to do this, attach the flash via cable, use the slave function on the camera (if it has it) or use wireless transmitters.  I use this: CyberSyn Trigger Transmitter & Receiver ($59 & $69 respectively) http://www.paulcbuff.com/cybersync.php  There are several companies that make similar products but these were cheaper and I have never had a problem with them (for what I use them for).

 

That light box that you  linked may work for you but I think I would go with what I recommended above.  Its more versatile in my opinion.  I highly highly HIGHLY recommend checking out the Strobist site.  He has a great Lighting 101 write up. http://strobist.blogspot.ca/2006/03/lighting-101.html

 

I hope this helps

[MayflowerElectronics]

Instead of Ebay, I would probably  purchase gear from B&H Photo, Adorama or KEH.  Better piece of mind if something goes wrong:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Nikon&ci=15488&N=4294182649+4291315846

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Used&cat2=Nikon%20Digital&cat3=Cameras&sel=ItemCondition_UsedItems&Startat=1

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Digital/system-Nikon-Digital/category-Camera-Outfits?s=1&bcode=DN&ccode=1&cc=80172&r=WG&f

 

Ive purchased from all three and they have great service.  KEH is pretty conservative when it comes to rating the condition of their products.  I would recommend the following:

 

- At least one flash which you would shoot OFF camera.  It will drastically improve the photo. Look for an SB600 or SB700.  (At this time, one flash, umbrella/softbox, and reflector may be all you need.)

- tripod.  If you want the sharpest photos, this will be your best bet.  Also, it helps when you need to compose the picture as the camera stays where it needs to be and you can just adjust the products.

- a reflector. Something like this:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800991878-USE/creative_light_100857_5_in_1_reflector_38_95cm.html you use it on the opposite side of the flash or light source to lighten the shadowed side of the subject/product, pretty handy. A large white poster board will do the same trick.

- a shoot through umbrella or softbox (highly recommended).  What you have linked above IS NOT a softbox.  It is more a mini studio with lights.  A softbox is literally a box that you shot your flash through.  An umbrella can do the same thing but for a lot cheaper.  A softbox will defuse the light nice though....  

This is a softbox: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800942712-USE/lastolite_ll_ls2496_ezybox_softbox_36_x.html  There are many different shapes, sizes and companies that make them.  You will have to decide what is best for you... I would probably go for a shoot through umbrella: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423631-REG/Impact_UBBW60_60_Convertible_Umbrella.html I have one just like it and its pretty versatile. 

- light stand to hold your flash and light modifier. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lightstands/ci/5799/N/4062040357

- In order to shoot the flash off camera, you will have to trigger the off camera flash somehow.  There are a few ways to do this, attach the flash via cable, use the slave function on the camera (if it has it) or use wireless transmitters.  I use this: CyberSyn Trigger Transmitter & Receiver ($59 & $69 respectively) http://www.paulcbuff.com/cybersync.php  There are several companies that make similar products but these were cheaper and I have never had a problem with them (for what I use them for).

 

That light box that you  linked may work for you but I think I would go with what I recommended above.  Its more versatile in my opinion.  I highly highly HIGHLY recommend checking out the Strobist site.  He has a great Lighting 101 write up. http://strobist.blogspot.ca/2006/03/lighting-101.html

 

I hope this helps

 

eBay comes with a 180 day warranty, and if you cough wrong eBay will give you your money back, so I'm not to worried about that. I don't know if anyone else can beat a 5100 w/ lens for $379, it's really cheap from what I've seen.

 

I'd prefer not to buy another box as the one I have is just fine, lighting could probably be upgraded. And that kit on eBay comes with a tripod.

 

Other than that, all of what you said is pretty foreign. I'll have to do some more research.

[Silvercall]

I don't think that the tripod in the kit will be able to hold an slr ... I think it may just be for point and shoot camera's, cell phones or very light mirorless camera's. Either way, let us know what you end up with!

[Puppet]

eBay comes with a 180 day warranty, and if you cough wrong eBay will give you your money back, so I'm not to worried about that. I don't know if anyone else can beat a 5100 w/ lens for $379, it's really cheap from what I've seen.

 

I'd prefer not to buy another box as the one I have is just fine, lighting could probably be upgraded. And that kit on eBay comes with a tripod.

 

Other than that, all of what you said is pretty foreign. I'll have to do some more research.

 

A good idea might be to post up some examples of the type of shots you want to produce, then one of us can give you the list of equipment/props you will need to replicate it and maybe point you in the direction on some good books/videos to research up on.

 

Lighting can be difficult to enough to master, but a whole load of fun at the same time. I would stay clear of the kit lens for product shots, it can distort quite a bit, usually that would sound like me being overly fussy, but for product shots it would be good to go with something else. You can always rent...

[MayflowerElectronics]

A good idea might be to post up some examples of the type of shots you want to produce, then one of us can give you the list of equipment/props you will need to replicate it and maybe point you in the direction on some good books/videos to research up on.

 

Lighting can be difficult to enough to master, but a whole load of fun at the same time. I would stay clear of the kit lens for product shots, it can distort quite a bit, usually that would sound like me being overly fussy, but for product shots it would be good to go with something else. You can always rent...

 

Like I said I have $400 for everything, so if you know of a lens for roughly $75, let me know.

 

As for an example, I don't like the boring product shots where it's just the item and everything else is white.

 

 

Something like that, with a tad bit of shadow.

[Lil Chillbil]

D3100 is excelent for studio work, not so good for sports but I like it in general. 

 

The way I see it is that under $500 you wanna go with nikon. 500-1000 you get a canon and everything above you get a nikon 

 

Get it from allenscamera.com and enter promo code Fro9 and you get 10% off. Thats where I got my flashes and they are very nice. 

 

http://allenscamera.com/products.html

[Youbetternot]

D3100 is excelent for studio work, not so good for sports but I like it in general. 

 

The way I see it is that under $500 you wanna go with nikon. 500-1000 you get a canon and everything above you get a nikon 

 

Get it from allenscamera.com and enter promo code Fro9 and you get 10% off. Thats where I got my flashes and they are very nice. 

 

http://allenscamera.com/products.html

Nice indeed, maybe when I am 18 I may get in to some photographing also MayflowerElectronics when Slick was in TS he confirmed they will do a overview of your product pretty soon, He is also planning to buy one of your products, I think a amp because he needs one

[MayflowerElectronics]

Nice indeed, maybe when I am 18 I may get in to some photographing also MayflowerElectronics when Slick was in TS he confirmed they will do a overview of your product pretty soon, He is also planning to buy one of your products, I think a amp because he needs one

What's TS? That's good to hear though!

[Youbetternot]

What's TS? That's good to hear though!

Teamspeak a voice chat

[MayflowerElectronics]

Teamspeak a voice chat

Oh! Yeah I figured but wasn't sure. Did they say when?

[Youbetternot]

Oh! Yeah I figured but wasn't sure. Did they say when?

Nope he just said very soon, you can always spam Linus  , but serious just ask him once don't spam him

[MayflowerElectronics]

Nope he just said very soon, you can always spam Linus  , but serious just ask him once don't spam him

 

I don't really care when they launch it really as long as they do. It's hard to get a hold of either of them anyway.

[Puppet]

Like I said I have $400 for everything, so if you know of a lens for roughly $75, let me know.

 

As for an example, I don't like the boring product shots where it's just the item and everything else is white.

 

-snip-

 

Something like that, with a tad bit of shadow.

 

Yeah pure white shots can look a little cheesy, some shadow or falloff on the background makes it look a whole lot better.

 

The shots you are going for aren't all that complicated, a lighting cube is ideal for them, you can also experiment with sheets of acrylic for reflections.

 

For $400, I would say just go with your original plan, but look at some sort of flash units down the line, they give much better color rendition and sharper shots in the long run.

 

Lenses can be rented fairly inexpensively, if you gather all your products together on one day it shouldn't cost too much.

 

Best of luck

[MayflowerElectronics]

Yeah pure white shots can look a little cheesy, some shadow or falloff on the background makes it look a whole lot better.

 

The shots you are going for aren't all that complicated, a lighting cube is ideal for them, you can also experiment with sheets of acrylic for reflections.

 

For $400, I would say just go with your original plan, but look at some sort of flash units down the line, they give much better color rendition and sharper shots in the long run.

 

Lenses can be rented fairly inexpensively, if you gather all your products together on one day it shouldn't cost too much.

 

Best of luck

 

Thanks! I know what it feels like now when people venture into the audio forum and have no clue of how anything works. I feel the same! 

 

Keep up the good work,

[MayflowerElectronics]

Edit - So here's what I picked up for $417 with free shipping

 

Refurb'd D5100 with stock 18-55 lens

5800DX Tri-pod

16gb SD card

SD to USB reader

 

I'm grabbing an extra battery and camera bag in a few days when I get my eBay bucks (i'll get both for free pretty much).

 

Minus the lighting, anything else?

[Silvercall]

I think you should be set. Do you have software to edit the photos? If you know a student or you are one, you could pick up adobe Lightroom for $80-$90. L I'm e many companies they have a student teacher program. Its great software and probably all you are going to need. You may even just need Adobe Elements which I think is cheaper, however Lightroom is great. There is free software available but I can't think of it of each top of my head. Gimp? I think I saw a thread here regarding photo editing software.

One thing you will have to consider when shooting is what format you want the files to be in. Very similar to audio files, there are lossless and compressed files. There is RAW http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_image_format. This is a lossless file format. You have more leeway when it comes to editing the files and you can adjust your white balance without degrading the file. OR You can just shoot in JPEG mode. This is the compressed file format http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPEG You can adjust how compressed you want the file in camera. If you shoot this way the files will be alot smaller but the settings you made in the camera will be "baked" into the photo and will be harder to change in post production.

RAW vs JPEG is a big debate in the photography world... Its akin to "Jacob vs Edward" or Russia vs the USA during the height of the Cold War... Typically, for events where I know I won't be doing too much editing or the photos are not "important", I'll just shoot jpg, but always at the lowest compression (large file & superfine or something like that). If I want more creative control or its something I know I'll be putting in a photo book (every year i put together a photo album) I'll shoot RAW, which is most of the time actually.

I would recommend for your work, shoot RAW but others may disagree.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/raw_vs_jpg.shtml