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<blockquote data-quote="nickt" data-source="post: 480611" data-attributes="member: 4923">A macro lens would be nice, but you can do pretty good without one, especially on larger pieces. A zoom lens might even work for some. You will need good light- flash or bright natural light. You will want a mid to high aperture, something over f8. At close range, your depth of field will be very shallow. In other words, it will be difficult to get an entire ring in focus front to rear. A higher aperture will help with that, but you will need more light. Use manual focus and don't focus on the very front of the object, try to judge the middle (front to rear) and focus there. You wont be able to get super close with a standard lens, but you also have enough pixels to crop the picture so you are more zoomed in. Depending how much light you have, you might need a tripod for the possibly slow shutter speed needed. I would stick with iso 100 if possible.If you are confused on the basics of exposure- the relationship of shutter, aperture and iso, then that is where you must start. There is no simple answer to 'what settings should I use?'. You need to do whatever is necessary to get the whole piece in focus front to rear. If you need some learning links about exposure, let us know.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="nickt, post: 480611, member: 4923"] A macro lens would be nice, but you can do pretty good without one, especially on larger pieces. A zoom lens might even work for some. You will need good light- flash or bright natural light. You will want a mid to high aperture, something over f8. At close range, your depth of field will be very shallow. In other words, it will be difficult to get an entire ring in focus front to rear. A higher aperture will help with that, but you will need more light. Use manual focus and don't focus on the very front of the object, try to judge the middle (front to rear) and focus there. You wont be able to get super close with a standard lens, but you also have enough pixels to crop the picture so you are more zoomed in. Depending how much light you have, you might need a tripod for the possibly slow shutter speed needed. I would stick with iso 100 if possible. If you are confused on the basics of exposure- the relationship of shutter, aperture and iso, then that is where you must start. There is no simple answer to 'what settings should I use?'. You need to do whatever is necessary to get the whole piece in focus front to rear. If you need some learning links about exposure, let us know. [/QUOTE]

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