This page has a list of product photography setup equipment that I’ve used and that have worked for me. I’ve featured many of these on my blogs but this page consolidates all product recommendations on cameras, lenses, lighting, tripods, and accessories on one page so it’s easy to find.
If you’re researching what equipment to buy and where to buy from, it can be overwhelming. There are so many options. I hope this page simplifies it for you. Most links here are Amazon links so you can buy from one place.
Note: this is for tabletop photography for jewelry and other small items. So if you’re shooting large items like furniture etc, these will not work for you.
Cameras:
As I’ve outlined in this blog on which camera to buy for product photography, you need a recent mirrorless or DSLR camera. You don’t need an expensive camera because image quality doesn’t vary much based on the price of a camera. Expensive cameras have other features that are not as important for product photography.
Camera recommendations at different price points:
- Canon EOS 100 (see current price on Amazon)
- Canon R50 (see current price on Amazon)
- Nikon Z50 with two lenses (see current price on Amazon)
- Nikon Z6 II (see current price on Amazon)
Lenses:
The lens that comes with your camera is sufficient for most purposes. Later, if you need, you could invest in a macro lens. Macro lenses help if you want big images for a poster or for other printing purposes. For images for your website or social media, in most cases, the basic camera lens in your kit is sufficient.
Macro lenses recommendations:
- Canon RF 100mm (see current price on Amazon)
- Nikon Z 105mm (see current price on Amazon)
Tripod:
For jewelry and other small product photography, a tripod with a horizontal arm is useful so you can shoot from top down if you need.
- Manfrotto 055 – I use an older similar model to this one (see current price on Amazon)
- Vanguard Alta Pro (see current price on Amazon)
- K&F Concept (see current price on Amazon)
Lighting:
I use all the below products when photographing jewelry and other small objects. These are powerful lights and can be used in a small space. They are portable too so it’s easy to move them around. You don’t need all of the below for every photo but some combination of these.
- MS20 Kit (see current price on Amazon) – This is a starter kit with 1 light and includes a background. Good for small products. There is a top attachment that can be removed if you need to shoot from top down. This brand has several other sizes and options to the one i recommended here. If you’re looking for a lower cost option, there are several light box kits you can get as well.
- Additional lights for MS20 kit (see current price on Amazon) – I use two of these extra lights since sometimes I shoot longer necklaces that need more light. These are also good because they are easy to move around to get the lighting effect you need.
- Panel light (see current price on Amazon) – This is a video conferencing light but it works great for small product photography. This light is bright (and you can adjust brightness as well) and the kit comes with a suction stand which lets you prop it up and move it around your product to get the right light. Note that this light has 2 colors – a white light which is good for product work and the tungsten (yellow tint) light if you need it.
- Cube light that goes on top of my camera (see current price on Amazon) – This is made by the same company as the one above. Adjustable brightness and very good quality. I bought this light to help get gemstone to shine. When this light is on the camera, it gives more light to gemstones that are facing the camera.
Here is a pic of my set up – this set up uses the first two lights above. I’ve taken the top off the MS20 kit, have the 2 extra lights. Instead of the background that comes with the MS20, i’m using a sheet of paper because I needed a bigger area. You have to improvise when photography. Each project needs are different so the set up will vary.
Accessories:
- Reflectors: The two white boards shown in the above pic are called ‘reflectors’ and are used to direct more light to the product. Without those boards, light will go towards the tripod. The MS20 kit comes with 2 reflectors but they are cardboard so can get damaged with use. You can buy some foam boards, cut them and use clamps to make them stand. The right side board in the pic above is one I made from foam boards.
- Acrylic backgrounds for reflection (see current price on Amazon)These are great if you want images with a mirror life reflection. They work great for jewelry or other small objects.
- Putty: This white putty is useful to hold jewelry or other objects in place e.g. id you want a standing image of a ring.
These are products that have worked for me but there are so many other products that can get you to the same outcome. If you decide to buy any of these products, please buy through the links on this page. Amazon pays me a small commission if you do.
If you have other recommendations of products that have worked for you while doing your photography, comment here and I will consider adding them to the list.
If you’re looking to outsource your photography project, see samples, process, and pricing here. I’m in the San Francisco bay area but work via mail if you’re in the US.
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