Thread: 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):





Here are some test shots:




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.

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...

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.

That one's by Aaron.

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

Great set up and thanks for the demo. I think I know what I'll be doing tomorrow around the house.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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