Thread: A question for the pro's about a light box.

I started making a light box using the white plastic sign board. it really just looks like plastic card board. What size light bulbs would you use. and would you use the bulbs that are daylight or just regular bulbs . If I can find the ones that give off no heat . Your opinions please.

Day light bulbs are a must IMHO.

I have two sets of bulbs for my photo set up. A set of 2800 lumen 6000k and a set of 4500 lumen 5500k bulbs.

Can you post a pic of your light box?

I made a light box for the Mrs. who likes to do art work type stuff. I just used a full spectrum 24" fluorecent tube fixture to keep the heat down. I used a milky white plastic sheet on top and painted the frame in white, using a white cardboard base as a background.

It's not color spectrum calibrated, but suffices for it's purpose of copying.

A light table for checking transparancies (color film slides) is an entirely different beast and the light needs to be calibrated. Then again, who uses film anymore?!?!?!

Here some vids on how to make light boxes.



I made my light box similar to the one in the second video

Photo Cube Light Tent Lighting KIT Softbox Soft BOX Stand 4 Backdrop Background | eBay

I bought one like this $20 good as gold lights and everything included
I can use my phone (with an extra holder i stole off the brides selfie stick thing) or a camera with it

Ok, light "tent* or light "box"?

To me, THIS is a light "box": Amazon.com: LitEnergy 32.5 Inch Diagonal A2 Drawing Light Box for Tracing with Precise Scale and Padpucks

As for light "tents", ..... some light sources and some old fashioned tracing paper and tape is all I need, besides a suitable backdrop.

Regards

Christian

Thanks guys. this give me more of what to do now.

[QUOTE=mainaman;1564327]Day light bulbs are a must IMHO.

I have two sets of bulbs for my photo set up. A set of 2800 lumen 6000k and a set of 4500 lumen 5500k bulbs.

Can you post a pic of your light box?[/QUOTE

As soon as I get it completely set up I will post a photo of the light box. just want to get it set up first. I did pick up a couple of utility lights with squeeze clamps like the video and now have the 60W bulbs that don't heat up in them. the sides are wrong so will change them. they make two different plastic lenses for drop in celling lights . one is clear with lots of little bumps on it and the other is translucent ]and will defuse the light better so I will go to lowes and get one of those and cut to fit. If nothing else it will be a sight to see.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Its possible to overthink a light box. Using regular light bulbs? A digital slr? Set your white balance to Tungsten (sometimes there are multiple tungsten settings - try each). Using Daylight bulbs? Use whatever you want. Diffusion - soft, not glaring light is what highly reflective surfaces need to capture detail. My fav light is indirect outdoor light - w/ digital or film.

Who uses film anymore? I'll see your questions and raise you. Who shoots black & white film anymore?

Or old fashioned straight razors...

My camera is a Nikon D60. the lenses is I think 12 to 55. I am a complete armature with a camera. I will try to muttal through the camera setting and do what you suggest. Thanks. for this i'll need all the help I can get.

From the honorable Kaptain Z

Then again, who uses film anymore?!?!?!

Or straight razors?

Or quality...

I seem to be losing a fight w/ the image uploader

Light boxes are simple diffusion tents - no need to overthink them. Using a DSLR? Then the light you use almost doesn't matter - just a change of white balance settings to your preferred version of Tungsten light. My fav light w/ film or bits is indirect natural light. Does it leave a dark spot? Arrange a reflective surface - white pc of printer paper oriented to direct the light into the shadow area. Keep it simple (and cheap).