Thread: DIY Lightbox for $0

Originally Posted by 2Sharp

Great job Ray. I am definately going to build one of these. I have the D-80 with several nice lenses including the F-1.4 50mm and recently did some shots for the revolver thread. The light box will make the lighting much better. Thanks.

bj

I LOVE the 50/1.4. That's the lens that put Nikkors on the map. I still have my 50/1.4 sonnar, plus different AI and AIS versions.

If you got the depth of field you wanted I apologize in advance for mentioning this but, if you switch to a smaller f-stop (higher numbers), say F8 or better, you will increase your depth of field and get your entire razor into focus.

Originally Posted by ChrisMeyer

If you got the depth of field you wanted I apologize in advance for mentioning this but, if you switch to a smaller f-stop (higher numbers), say F8 or better, you will increase your depth of field and get your entire razor into focus.

I assumed he opened up the lens to create an attractive bokeh.*

But it could have been that the light from the lamps wasn't too powerful and exposure was tricky. Diffusing is good but always cuts down the brightness. If the lamps were too powerful they might have started a fire in the arid* confines of the lightbox.


(*) I award myself double bonus for obscure word use.

Lol, no I was not going for the bokeh, as that lens has a particularly harsh one. I opened up the aperture to highlight certain things - one photo shows the razors wedge grind, the other the wedge spacer Aaron used, which I think goes particularly well with the tortoise, and the quality of the pinning.

Here is the photo I used for the SOTD:

I think that one was shot at f/11 or so. That's another plus for using a tripod, and preferably a shutter release or timer, since the shutter speed will be quite long. The lights were a bit weak, and I confess, I do not even own a flash since I don't have much use for it in how I photograph.

Thanks for the comments.

Thanks for sharing these instructions. I've seen similar light tents for $99 in a large camera chain store. I can't picture them doing as good a job as yours. I'm sure there's be a lot of these built now that you've posted this.

Originally Posted by leadduck

I'm sure there's be a lot of these built now that you've posted this.

You are right!

Count me in: After months of procrastination, I finally made one this afternoon in about 15 minutes

Thanks Ray for motivating the lazy Now to get some decent lighting for my razor ghetto

Great idea!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Nice work Lee. Look at you.

Looking good, Lee.

I made one of these a few months ago and managed to rip the paper twice. I tried a few photos and the colors were way off from reality. I have come to two realizations. First, I'm going to spend a little money and make a box out of a frame of PVC and draped with white cloth so that I can make a light box that I can break down and store. Second, it's time for me to get a real camera from the 21st century. I have a great 35mm camera, that uses film, and a crap digital camera. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy a decent digital camera.