Post subject: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:44 pm
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:52 pm Posts: 4
Hello everybody, I'm new here and I do not know very well how to use the "search" function. I was looking for informations about taking some beautiful gemstones' pictures; actually I'm trying to do my best with my smartphone, improving day by day. Is there a particular smartphone that you would suggest for this aim? I don't know if I should buy a camera or a new smartphone to take good macros (I own a Samsung Galaxy A71). Thank you in advance!
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:53 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am Posts: 1542
Although I have a top level camera and lens collection, I use the new Galaxy S21 Ultra to take videos and images of my stones. It does an incredible job as a camera, and taking the pictures on the phone makes sharing them so much easier and faster. I highly recommend that phone for the job.
But realize it is the lighting that really matters. I use the Gem Light Box from PickUpMedia. It is a wornderful solution for photographing gemstones and jewelry. I would suggest trying it with your existing phone before upgrading the phone. I hear the cameras in it are also very good.
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 11:26 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Sony ar7 with a 90mm macro lens for me. My old lg phone has decent camera but I am a camera guy. Yes controlling light is key as well as reflection in gemstones is essential for a good image and depiction of the true color of the gem. One ugly fluorescent ceiling light above you reflecting into the table and bouncing internally can give back colors your naked eye doesn't see. But all decent cameras phone or otherwise will .
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 11:35 pm
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:52 pm Posts: 4
1bwana1 wrote:
Although I have a top level camera and lens collection, I use the new Galaxy S21 Ultra to take videos and images of my stones. It does an incredible job as a camera, and taking the pictures on the phone makes sharing them so much easier and faster. I highly recommend that phone for the job.
But realize it is the lighting that really matters. I use the Gem Light Box from PickUpMedia. It is a wornderful solution for photographing gemstones and jewelry. I would suggest trying it with your existing phone before upgrading the phone. I hear the cameras in it are also very good.
Below is a picture and a video I recently took with this setup.
It looks like the video won't load, but you can see samples on the PickUpMedia website.
Thank you so much for the advice, your picture is amazing! I do not own a Gem Light Box, but I'm actually taking pictures inside a foldable lightbox I've bought on amazon and for now I'm quite happy about its lighting conditions. I will start checking the pickupmedia website and the Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone.
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 12:36 am
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21600 Location: San Francisco
Nope, just point and shoot. I use the iPhone for all my appraisals. (And I have several top of the line cameras, collecting dust). It's an iPhone 7. The new ones have way better cameras. Even super small quality stamps and maker's marks on the inside of a narrow shank can be used on a document:
PT950 with the infinity maker's mark indicating design and manufacture by Ring Concierge, New York, NY.
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:15 am
Gold Member
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
And both these images have been compressed to the max, so imagine what the full Rez images look like. Steve's gemstone is only 64kb and not sure what Barbara's is. She has secret power uploader status.
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 2:12 am
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:52 pm Posts: 4
Thanks for helping me, I'll check every info you gave me and make a choice. The iphone surprised me... Just a last question: do you know if there's a way to set ISO/focus/exposure on the iphone or other smartphones?
i was using a dlsr and after a battery issue had to substitute in my iphone x. i've been using the phone cam since. tough to beat the convenience of the built in editing software.
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:33 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21600 Location: San Francisco
valececia wrote:
Thanks for helping me, I'll check every info you gave me and make a choice. The iphone surprised me... Just a last question: do you know if there's a way to set ISO/focus/exposure on the iphone or other smartphones?
Go to a Mac store and check out the new phones. One can digitally adjust aspects like ISO/focus/exposure after the pic is taken. Why complicate your life?
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 2:40 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
My wife has the S20 Ultra which doesn't have manual settings for those. One reason I haven't upgraded my LG-v20 as it does allow for those settings manually. But the image the S20 produces verses the LG is not comparable. Like Barbra stated post processing on the newer phones can handle anything you feel you need to adjust. What you can't do on most phone cameras is aperture settings, most have two apertures and then digital zooming. The cameras in todays phones are pretty much comparing to some of the high end full frame cameras. So if your a IPhone or Android fan any newer phone has great camera's.
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 3:54 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Very true on the zooming.
And yes my tripod just will not run to the store, just stands there in the corner holding the camera that is non web savvy, even though it is tethered to the desktop. What gives with this scenario? Ohhh it must mean more money for the latest and greatest.
Post subject: Re: Smartphone/camera suggestions for gemstones macros
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 4:57 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21600 Location: San Francisco
Quick reply.."latest and greatest" does sadly not describe my style. I'm using a MacBook Pro from 2015 and an iPhone7. My son is always giving me the business especially about this laptop. It's the same on Abraham Lincoln used when he was in the Oval Office.
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