I have an eBay store and want to take better photos. I already have a light kit and backdrop. I already own the Canon 80D, but don't have a macro lens so I struggle to take good close ups with my stock kit lens. I was looking at buying the 60mm Macro. Another option is I thought about buying a good point and shoot instead - mainly for the lighter weight and easier to handle. I hate the bulky heaviness of the DSLR, but can live with it if it will yield better results. For a point & shoot, I was looking at the SX730HS. It's about the same price as the 60mm lens for my 80D. I don't really use the 80D for anything else and was actually thinking of selling it since it rarely gets used anyway. What would you do? Thanks for any advice!
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Ebay Photos: Buy a Macro Lens for my 80D or Buy a Point & shoot?
- Thread starter SteelBlueTJ
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The iPhone should have a good enough camera for eBay product shots. Unless these are going in a magazine the web will not need perfection.
I'll get one recommendation out of the way up front: don't get the point and shoot. Since you're already controlling your lighting, a point and shoot will offer little to nothing over your smartphone's camera, so just use the smartphone.
As for the Canon 80D and a macro lens, that really depends on what you're selling. If you're selling relatively cheap items then the Canon is probably overkill, as people probably aren't going to be viewing the images beyond the image preview on the item's listing page. If you're also a high-volume seller then wrangling with the Canon may just needlessly add more work to your workflow. And if you're going to take one photo of an item and then do one of those listings that say "item featured in photo is representative of what you'll be receiving, but isn't the exact item," then forget the Canon - when I see a listing like that, the photo generally becomes meaningless.
On the other hand, if you're selling higher-end items where people will be scrutinizing details then having images that can be larger and more detailed may make a difference. For example, I've bought (and sold) camera equipment on eBay, and I always try to view the images larger to assess for scratches and other flaws. I don't avoid bidding on items that don't have such images available, but if I've verified for myself that what I'm looking at is flawless then I feel more compelled to bid more aggressively.
As for the Canon 80D and a macro lens, that really depends on what you're selling. If you're selling relatively cheap items then the Canon is probably overkill, as people probably aren't going to be viewing the images beyond the image preview on the item's listing page. If you're also a high-volume seller then wrangling with the Canon may just needlessly add more work to your workflow. And if you're going to take one photo of an item and then do one of those listings that say "item featured in photo is representative of what you'll be receiving, but isn't the exact item," then forget the Canon - when I see a listing like that, the photo generally becomes meaningless.
On the other hand, if you're selling higher-end items where people will be scrutinizing details then having images that can be larger and more detailed may make a difference. For example, I've bought (and sold) camera equipment on eBay, and I always try to view the images larger to assess for scratches and other flaws. I don't avoid bidding on items that don't have such images available, but if I've verified for myself that what I'm looking at is flawless then I feel more compelled to bid more aggressively.
I usually just use my iPhone for listings. It’s clear enough for the photos there. The key with eBay anyway is to have lots of photos more than great ones. Now they can’t be a blurry mess, but buyers do like to see the goods.
I agree with all of the above but if you want close ups, have you considered something like a Raynox 150 or 250 ? easy to use, relatively cheap to acquire.
I'm assuming your light kit is always on and doesn't need to be triggered (i.e. it isn't a flash, it's a continuous light source). In that case, I agree that a phone camera is probably adequate for your needs. If your light kit involves a flash, you will need to trigger it and you may need the Canon in that case.
Get the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 prime lens ... makes very good pictures for such a cheap lens. Also get an EF 25 extension tube ... this will turn your 50mm into a macro when you need it.
The 50mm is a good portrait lens, very light and small if you don't want to attract a lot of attention. On a crop sensor camera like the 80D you won't need to be in your subject's face to get nice framing. And the 1.8 does well in low light.
Now, you can also use the extension tube with your kit lens to turn that into a macro. Bonus, the Canon extension tube should pass the autofocus signals from your kit lens.
I don't imagine you will need anything else for ebay photos.
The 50mm is a good portrait lens, very light and small if you don't want to attract a lot of attention. On a crop sensor camera like the 80D you won't need to be in your subject's face to get nice framing. And the 1.8 does well in low light.
Now, you can also use the extension tube with your kit lens to turn that into a macro. Bonus, the Canon extension tube should pass the autofocus signals from your kit lens.
I don't imagine you will need anything else for ebay photos.
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