Advice for a newbie DSLR user please?

[nadger]

Hi All
I have recently purchased a Canon 400D, which I intend to use photographing my wife's jewellery (have got a light tent, etc, already). The camera I bought came with a standard 18-55mm lens and a set of macro lenses that attach on to the front of the existing lens. Would I be better off buying a proper macro lens, or do you guys think that this set-up would be sufficient?
Also, I'm wondering whether I need an additional lens as well. I'd like to be able to take shots from a further distance as well. Any suggestions as to which lenses would offer the best flexibility in this way?
Apologies if this seems very obvious and straightforward! I am an utter noob, so any advice would be welcome!
Thanks in advance

[Killwilly]

The Canon 55-250 would be a great partner for your kit lens and 400D. The photograph below was taken with my 55-250 and 450D.


132 by killwilly, on Flickr

[StuH]

If your budget can stretch to it I'd suggest the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro - it will produce great quality macro shots of the jewelry and double-up as an excellent portrait/longer lens than your current longest 55mm.

You can generally find them on fleabay for circa 250-300

[RobDickinson]

If its for any kind of professional use then I would suggest an ef-s 60mm f2.8 macro.

You have a light tent and lighting, hopefully a tripod, and jewellery doesnt tend to run off.

[markmullen]

If it is for product photography (rather than insurance valuations!) then I'd recommend getting a decent grey card too so you can get your white balance spot on. I use Colorchecker Passport which is pricey but very good.

[nadger]

Many thanks for the responses! The pictures will hopefully be good enough for us to use on her website. She has a professional photographer to take the pictures for her ranges, but we were hoping that I might be good enough to get 'usable' pictures of her commissions (wedding rings/engagement rings, etc). Hopefully this will be the case, as you say jewellery doesn't have a tendency to run off!
It looks as if this could become an expensive hobby! I paid less than the cost of these lenses for the camera itself originally!
Again, many thanks for the tips. I shall be writing my Christmas list presently I feel!

[RobDickinson]

ef-s 60 macro is a stunningly sharp copy/product lens, the rest is down to lighting and post processing (correct sharpening for web etc).

TBH for web shots its more to do with product layout and lighting/processing, as they tend to be very small images.

I'd also consider a polariser to reduce reflections.

In full on product mode I would suggest a 90mm tilt shift ( 90mm ts-e) but thats another level of OMG.

[nadger]

Does anyone have any experience of Tamron lenses? Specifically this one http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/251162243458?var=lv...
Any good, or should they be avoided like the plague?
A mate has offered to sell me his old one, and I'm wondering if it's worth spending the extra on a 'better' make lens?

[RobDickinson]

A £90 zoom is going to perform like a £90 zoom.

If you want a longer lens get the 55-250 canon.

[nadger]

RobDickinson said:

A £90 zoom is going to perform like a £90 zoom.

If you want a longer lens get the 55-250 canon.

That's what I thought!
Thanks for the feedback.