Best lens for product photography?

Hi, I was just wondering what type of lens people would suggest for smallish product photography (like wine bottles etc)?

Cheers

Andrew

Tamon 17-50mm F2.8. Sharp at all apertures and lengths, provides a bright viewfinder, close-focusing (near macro), minimal CA (at the settings you're likely to use).

I would recommend this lens only for the K20D and K-7 as they allow individual lens AF Adjustment that you might require, although manual-focusing is often fine (or even better than AF) for product photography.

One of the Pentax 50mm's would also be good, except the minimum focus distance is a lot more, and CA is higher. CA will show up with dark items against a white background.

If it's for web use (like eBay) then it's hard to fault the DA18-55, assuming you're using flash that is. You tend to stop down to about f/8-f/11 anyway so you don't need fast lenses, it'll focus pretty close and it's a flexible focal length for when you're shooting several angles in quick succession.

For more arty stuff (like big prints) then the DA35 is The Guv'nor IMHO.

It's for various uses really both print and web... but nothing large format. I am currently using the 18-55 kit lens I got with my K-m but I am not always blown away with the sharpness.

I will do some research into both of the suggestions.

Many thanks

Andrew

I wouldn't use a zoom although I have used both the kit lens and the Tamron 17-50 for the type of shot you describe. I'd suggest the Pentax 35 f2 which will focus close but not macro and seems sharp at all apertures meaning you can use selective focus with confidence. It also delivers the 'Pentax' colours.

Then again I have never done any commercial product photography so I may well be misguided!

Mike

For high class product photography a macro lens might be appropriate, but say for pictures for eBay then the 18-55mm is all you need.

Nearly all my eBay pictures are taken with the SMC-A 50mm F1.7.

You'll want something that's still sharp at very small apertures, to give max depth of field.

For instance (John might recognise this):

[IMG]http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/chris5gd/eBay%20photos/Pentax%2075_300_FAJ/IMGP7686-crsmsh.jpg[/IMG]

More important than the lens, I suspect, is the tripod and the long exposure that you'll need with the small aperture.

Nice one!

Complemented by the unedited bit of sensor dust - a vital part of the composition, I hope you'll agree.

It says, "Yes, the lens really is as good as it looks, I didn't edit the picture at all."

I use a SMC A 50 1.7 for product photography. Works like a treat and is very sharp.

small apertures and long exposure times are key when using natural light.
When using flash, try to use more then one flashgun and have a omnibounce or something attached to it so that the light isn't to harsh.

I use the SMCP-FA 50mm Macro lens.

I use the FA 50mm f1.7 for all my Ebay pictures, sometimes the DA 35mm f2.8 macro.

I always use the DA 35mm macro for my E-bay shots.

LOL

Cheers for all the advice... I am going to keep my eye out for a good 50mm as I think the 35mm macro will be too expensive at the moment.

Thanks

Andrew