what camera would let me acheive this quality of picture?

Question

please take a look at the picture:http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/psycence/m1pdj9rqt.jpg

i would like some advice on what camera would let me acheive the quality of this picture
i know i need a light tent but its the camera i need an idea about
im looking to spend about £400
i want to be able to take really clear and beautiful pictures of my jewellery

any help would be great

Answer 1

Any DSLR with a true macro lens. Ignore zoom lenses with "macro" in their description - they should be labeled "close focusing".

A true macro is designed for maximum resolution at close focusing distances and has a flat field of focus.

Answer 2

There are many cameras that would be able to do this. Basically you need a camera with a "Macro" capability. This could be a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera (DSLR) with interchangeable lens and a special macro lens. But if you don't want to get into a complicated system and want a good basic camera that would do this you should look at what are called "Prosumer" all in one cameras. Some good brands (In alphabetical order) are Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony.

If your primary reason for photographing the jewelery is to have pictures to display on line you do not need to be too concerned with the number of Mega pixels (MP) since any recent model should have enough. However, if you are planning to make printed pictures larger than 5"x7" or 8"x10" you should make sure the camera is at least 5 or 6 Mega pixel to assure good quality enlargements.

Good models of this type would be -
Canon, PowerShot S5-IS, about £250
Fuji, FinePix S9100, about £300 (guesstimate based on US $)
Nikon, (Can't find any current models that fit this category)
Olympus, SP-550 UZ, about £250-£350
Panasonic, Lumix DMC-FZ8, about £175-£225
Pentax, (Can't find any current models that fit this category)
Sony, Cyber-Shot DSC-H7, about £200

If you want to check out the specifications of these cameras go to Steve's Digiccams. They have an alphabetic list by mfg. at he link below and I have found them to be reliable and objective in their reviews. Steve's Conclusion is a good summary for each camera.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 3

If you're taking the shots for auction site purposes, look for the cheapest digicam with a Macro function. You don't need to spend 400 quid.

As you said, get the light tent and good lights.