DIY Lightbox for $0

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03-14-2009, 06:11 PM
RayG

DIY Lightbox for $0
I didn't know where to post this thread. I initially thought, Gallery, since it would be useful for showing off the restored razors, but it really is more general a topic. Feel free to move it as appropriate, mods.;)

I had been meaning to do this for sometime, but this morning, I finally got off my duff, gathered the stuff I needed and built my lightbox. There's a nice article on doing this in the WIKI, so I won't go into much detail.

Time spent: 30 minutes
Cost of materials: zero (for me, and likely for most)
1. I used a 14" x 14" cardboard box
2. Cut two of the top flaps, leaving only the right and left flaps (when lying on it's side)
3. Cut out three of the four sides, leaving about 1" borders
4. Taped thin white translucent paper (like we use to wrap razors for shipping) over the holes. I used table paper from the exam tables at my office. Be sure the paper is taught, to minimize funky reflections.
5. Got two discarded lamps from the basement with 75 w bulbs
6. Raided my son's school art supplies and cut up some white poster board, just enough to snug in the box with a nice smooth bend (not crease) in the bottom back side. Again, make sure you keep this clean (that means, wash all that MAAS off your hands!)
Here's the temporary set up (in my kitchen, where I did this):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/...021f0f1b_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/...f6b732c5_o.jpg

Here are some test shots:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/...062b50f9_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/...5ffbbb8d_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/...25d51a24_o.jpg
I just used a 50mm F/1.8 Nikon lens. I'll have to dig up a macro lens and experiment with that (I rarely do macros). Really, any camera will work, including point and shoots.

You can move the lights around to your desired effect, and maybe try a colored (or black) poster board, too.

The one thing I would invest in, if you don't have one, is an inexpensive tripod, especially if you will do this a lot (for selling razors or selling on ebay).

One thing I will probably change is add a third light on top of the box, and switch out the bulbs for 100w ones.
03-14-2009, 06:17 PM
holli4pirating

Wow, that is a lightning fast lens! I wish I could afford some faster glass for my D70 so I wouldn't have to push the CCD sensitivity as much.

Great how-to as well. I really should put one of these together...
03-14-2009, 06:18 PM
aroliver59

Real nice setup Ray,I'm definitely going to do that.Are those some of Max's scales?Nice razor.Easy to tell you're a Doctor.Exam table paper and the big pill holding the blade open.
03-14-2009, 06:21 PM
RayG

That one's by Aaron.

The 50/1.8 is probably one of the cheapest Nikkor lenses. Also one of the best. Highly recommended!
03-14-2009, 08:43 PM
AceBuckeye

Great set up and thanks for the demo. I think I know what I'll be doing tomorrow around the house.
03-14-2009, 09:19 PM
BeBerlin

Great stuff, Ray. I have added your instructions to the Wiki article: http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...for_US.24_0.00 - hope you like it.
03-14-2009, 09:24 PM
ChrisL

Amazing, Ray. I still repeatedly kick myself for buying one of those lightboxes off of Ebay. It works just find, but you get the same results for next to nothing.

Thanks for posting this.

Chris L
03-14-2009, 09:48 PM
BKratchmer

That's a great design! I do macro photography for entomology projects as well, so this could be very useful!! It would be easy to build different ones for top-down, etc....

GREAT pictures from an inexpensive lightbox! You've won my eternal respects, master!:bow
03-14-2009, 09:50 PM
RayG

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Great stuff, Ray. I have added your instructions to the Wiki article: Lightbox Instructional - Straight Razor Place Wiki - hope you like it.

Thanks!:)

You guys have really done a great job with the Wiki.
03-15-2009, 12:24 AM
xman

Right awesome. I think even I could manage something like this.

X
03-15-2009, 12:39 AM
Seraphim

Super instruction and demonstration!
03-15-2009, 01:04 AM
xChris

Quote:

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Wow, that is a lightning fast lens! I wish I could afford some faster glass for my D70 so I wouldn't have to push the CCD sensitivity as much.

Great how-to as well. I really should put one of these together...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayG

That one's by Aaron.

The 50/1.8 is probably one of the cheapest Nikkor lenses. Also one of the best. Highly recommended!

I have the same lens, and use it with a Nikon D70. I recall getting it for around $100. I agree with Ray -- highly recommended.

Oh, and the lightbox is awesome -- can't get better and more frugal than that!
03-15-2009, 01:12 AM
freebird

Way to go! :rock: I've been contemplating doing something similar myself, I just need to get off my duff. I get boxes about that size each month when I receive my insulin pump supplies.
03-15-2009, 10:37 AM
Rajagra

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayG

The 50/1.8 is probably one of the cheapest Nikkor lenses. Also one of the best. Highly recommended!

Most people don't realise how true that is. 50/1.8 lenses are among the highest quality lenses available. They deliver better resolution and contrast than 95% of all lenses available at ANY price. There is a reason they used to be the standard lens.

Sometimes the saying "you get what you pay for" is wrong.

Bit like your lightbox. You can't argue with those results!:tu
03-15-2009, 12:06 PM
Joed

Great post Ray. I use a cardboard box also w/ tissue paper in the windows. Depending on the light and effects you're looking for copy paper works also. For the back drop I use some blotter paper I had laying around. My light source is directed from the top and one side w/ desk lamps. Cameras used are point and shoot. I have some really nice lenses but they are on my 35mm SLR Canon ELOS ELAN. Some day I plan on getting a Canon digital SLR my lenses will fit but so far I am glad I am waiting since the resolution keeps increasing. My son has been taking most of my shots posted.

Side note: I noticed some of your SOTD shots w/ Kodak 25 mm film cans in the background. When I was a tool and Die maker my last job was w/ Kodak making tooling and prototypes for film cutting, perforation dies, metal forming and emulsion equip. Perf dies had a tolerance of +- .00005. Lots of lapping and polishing. It was a great hobby.
03-15-2009, 01:51 PM
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
03-15-2009, 02:39 PM
Maximilian

Ray,

you did forget to mention you're an avid photographer :D
I always love to see your B/W pics. IMO nothing beats the warmth of real film.
But this light box is a great example of being your own MacGyver at home.
Thanks for taking the time to write this whole experience and tutorial.
As to macro lens, I mostly use my AF Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8D.
03-15-2009, 03:29 PM
edekalil

Great Idea, I'll have to get some scrap diffusion material from work and make me one of these. Although I do not have a great camera set up, it should work for me.

Eddie
03-15-2009, 03:36 PM
rrp1501

Looks fantastic! I've been looking for an idea to make one! Way to go!:rock:
03-15-2009, 03:47 PM
coachmike

Great post ray...thank you in actually allowing us noobs to see how it's done.
03-16-2009, 03:42 AM
RayG

Quote:

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.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/4...4578d14b_o.jpg
03-16-2009, 10:32 PM
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.
03-16-2009, 10:50 PM
Rajagra

Quote:

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. :w
03-16-2009, 11:18 PM
RayG

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:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/...81891f14_o.jpg
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.
03-19-2009, 12:54 AM
leadduck

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.
03-21-2009, 07:32 PM
hoglahoo

2 Attachment(s)

Quote:

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 :tu Now to get some decent lighting for my razor ghetto
03-22-2009, 01:30 AM
mbeem

Great idea!!! Thanks for sharing!!
03-22-2009, 04:42 AM
bpave777

Nice work Lee. Look at you.
03-22-2009, 04:48 AM
RayG

Looking good, Lee. :)
03-22-2009, 04:57 AM
Utopian

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.
03-22-2009, 05:13 AM
bpave777

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayG

Looking good, Lee. :)

Yours ain't chopped liver either Ray. Nice work, and thanks for the info. I need to re-do mine.
03-23-2009, 05:12 AM
randydance062449

Thanks Ray! ChrisL just gave me a link to this thread and it will be very useful. I just bought a 60 razor collection and I will be selling 40 of them for sure. So, there are a few pics I need to take!

Thanks again,:tu
03-23-2009, 05:35 AM
Rajagra

A variation on this I read about is to use a pop-up folding laundry basket as the frame for one of these lightboxes.