A Simple Product Photography Setup
We say a lot about methods, techniques, and skills on PhotographyTalk, and I love teaching, learning, and sharing in this way. I also like to share ideas concerning the equipment we use to make use of these many skills we have gained.
For instance, I often get asked about certain styles of photography and what gear would be beneficial for doing these styles. Such as what might go into a well-rounded product setup — cameras, lenses, lighting, backdrops, tripods, and other accessories
Small Product Photography
Product photography as a genre can include many different things. Food photography, recipe photography, personal items for auction sites, making images for use by us or others in commercial websites for retail sales, and photography for illustrating articles or instructional materials all qualify as part of product photography.
If you are looking for ideas of how to get into product photography, you might find our latest series of articles on food photography to be helpful. In addition to showing how to do product photography, these articles also highlight some ideas for a workable product photography setup, since food photography can be considered a form of product photography.
While much of what we do as product photography ends up also being a form of tabletop photography, all of those skills and techniques are usable for making images of products. Same with still life techniques, though some of the artistic interpretations may get slightly toned down for straight-up product images on a retail website.
Camera and Lens
A product photography setup begins with our camera and lens choices. Almost any modern kit of digital cameras, DSLR or mirrorless, can be used for small product photography.
An entry-level camera with the regular kit lens can be used for this genre, but many photographers find that certain additional features and the more robust build of pro and prosumer cameras and lenses can make a more useful product photography setup.
In APS-C format, we find many usable options in both mirrorless and DSLR style. The crop format of APS-C is great for a product photography setup that is budget-friendly. As an example, take a look at the prosumer level DSLR Nikon D7500. Paired with the DX only macro lens Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor lens and you have a nice product photography setup with a sharp, fairly fast lens that can also be used for general photography and videography.
Mirrorless cameras in this format are excellent for making a pro-level product photography setup, often adding professional-level video capabilities, too. The Fujifilm X-T4 is a super capable camera for many professional endeavors. Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro lens offers a slightly more telephoto focal length which is sometimes preferred for product photography.
You’ll notice we’re keying in on macro lenses in a prime focal length for our product photography setup recommendations. Prime lenses are usually faster than zoom lenses in similar ranges of focal length, plus macro lenses are specially corrected for low distortion, super sharp, ultra closeup imaging.
Fans of Full Frame format will want to look at the mirrorless Sony Alpha a7II camera. It’s incredibly budget-friendly for a Full Frame format camera and can be the cornerstone camera for a product photography setup.
Third-party manufacturers are making amazingly sharp lenses in mirrorless Full Frame lens mounts. Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art lens in Sony E mount is a prime example. The focal length is an awesome choice for a product photography setup, slightly longer than normal, just a little telephoto. The fast lens aperture allows selective techniques to be used for our images.
