Medium Format or DSLR for specific style of pics

[bilbob96g]

I looked at the small photo and also the zoom magnified image, which is of very high technical quality. First off, the 58/1.4 is a lens with simply dreadful field curvature; it would be a simply AWFUL lens for close-up technical or product work. Not that long ago I downloaded and examined about 75 images from the 58/1.4...mathematically, somebody in your employ has multiplied its length x 1.5 and thinks that makes it a good lens for the task at hand...I can assure you, it is not a good close-up lens.

What you should have is some lighting gear, a shooting table set-up, some background and table-top materials on hand, and so on, and a good macro lens: a lens designed to be shot at close ranges, with a flat image field, and good detail rendering. I would use a Nikon 24 to 36 MP d-slr and a 60mm, or 90mm, or 105mm macro lens. I would light it with a large sotbox and two smaller lights to provide the dual "separation lighting" on both sides of the sock. Surely you can see that the sock is lighted on left and right with two light sources which are "hotter" and also "crisper" than the main light that softly illuminates the front of the sock.

You do not need a medium format digital camera for this type of shot!

Thanks for the input Derrel. the lens was recommended by Adorama and the specs say it is made for not fading out the edges. Glad to have another opinion there also and will look more into it. 2 questions:

1. What specific lens or multiple lens would you recommend? Just asking for a part number or numbers if you have them to check on.

2. We figured there were 3 lights and the one being a soft light box in front. I have had 3 different recommendations (from my people) for the side lights from spots to strobe lights that are synced with the flash. What would be your take on the side lights and any recommendations there?

 

[Derrel]

The Tokina 100mm f/2.8 ATX-PRO macro lens is one lens option. It could be a Tamron 90mm lens, on the Nikon 105mm VR Micro-Nikkor just as easily.

Adorama's recommendation sounds bogus to me. The 58/1.4 Nikkor is a cheap lens in a large, over-sized, plastic barrel, with an outrageous price tag. That is one idiotic recommendation.

Lights will depend on the exact system used. In my brand it would be, on each side, 11.5 inch parabolic reflectors with 10-degree honeycomb grids, one mylar diffuser of each flash head, and a barn door on the 200-series Variable Focusing heads. This would give the tall, but narrow, crisp side lighting accent to the socks.

 

[MartinCrabtree110 4]

You can rent a Nikon D3S,Zeiss Otus Distagon 55 MM f1.4 and two speedlights for 4 days (including insurance) at a grand total of $381 USD and shipping. Total overkill but a nice way to go.