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From where to start minerals photography

Posted by Alan  
Alan
From where to start minerals photography
April 25, 2008 12:48PM
I want to start minerals photography, what type of accessaries i will need.
please explain me what type of camera , lense ,and what others things i should buy which cover my whole photgraphy purposes.alan
avatar Re: From where to start minerals photography
April 25, 2008 02:22PM
What sort of minerals do you want to photograph? What sizes?

Will you be using a microscope as well?

How much money do you want to spend?

Jolyon
avatar Re: From where to start minerals photography
April 25, 2008 03:56PM
A few years back Jeff Scovil published a book about mineral photography. While it is "pre-digital camera", there is much very good information in it about lighting, framing shots, various ways to construct your studio, etc. I would highly recommend it.

If you are planning on going digital rather than film, I highly recommend getting a good digital SLR camera with the capacity for changing lenses. These are more expensive than the pocket-type cameras, but they are much more versatile and you will get much better photos. I use a Canon EOS 400D, I know others who use Nikon. Both are good cameras. You will also need to get good photo editing software. Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard, but is quite expensive and time-consuming to learn. You may want to start with a more basic program such as L-View Pro or PaintShop Pro. Both of these will perform all the basic and necessary functions for you.

If you want to take photos using a microscope, this is a whole different game. You will also need to invest in a good stereo microscope (trinocular is best for taking photos) and a fiber optic lighting system. There are some very good photographers using microscopes who post here on Mindat, and I know there have been many discussion threads specific to doing this.
avatar Re: From where to start minerals photography
April 28, 2008 11:54AM
A good camera ( reflex is perfect )

a very good lenses ( depend what you want photograph, I use Zeiss Luminar or Leica Photar, for biggest a Canon 100 mm macro )

A very stable tripod

a good bellow
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