Collapsible Light Box

[Slartibartfast]

This popped up after a bit of googling. I want to make a new lightbox, preferably collapsible to save on space when not using.

What do you think of this guys setup?

Collapsible Light Box For Those Short On Space And Cash

[knightwolf]

It will work. I prefer a material that the light shoots through to help better diffuse it. Bounced light will diffuse but is harder to control. For an easy box I just use a piece of cloth or a bed sheet draped in a box shape. With the lamps shining through.

[Slartibartfast]

What i have now is just a cardboard box i cut squares into, taped printer paper over, then put posterboard on the inside. I then have 2 lights shining in the sides.

It works, but it as taken a beating and it takes up a lot of space in my office.

It will work. I prefer a material that the light shoots through to help better diffuse it. Bounced light will diffuse but is harder to control. For an easy box I just use a piece of cloth or a bed sheet draped in a box shape. With the lamps shining through.

[knightwolf]

I think you could do the same with the design you linked if you cut the sides out and attached a rip stop nylon. Then it would shine through but you still have the collapsability.

[HNSB]

I know you're asking about lightboxes, but you may want to consider something different:

I've been doing my pictures lately without a lightbox. A single umbrella light positioned so that the blade reflects the white of the umbrella back to the camera gives good diffuse light and shows the blade off nicely.

You could make an inexpensive umbrella light by getting a cheap white umbrella and somehow attaching it to a lamp (duct tape would work!). When you're not using it, it would take up hardly any space at all.

[Moonshine]

Hey Guys,

I haven't done it yet, but I'm going to Lowes to buy some PVC pipe and fittings. I'll use these to make a "cube", then I'll wrap the sides, back and top with a few old undershirts and use cheap clamp-on or adjustable lamps to shine on the top and sides as needed. Shouldn't cost very much (less than $20.00?), and should easily be broken down for storage or transport.

Anyone else try this method?

[cannibal]

This popped up after a bit of googling. I want to make a new lightbox, preferably collapsible to save on space when not using.

What do you think of this guys setup?

Collapsible Light Box For Those Short On Space And Cash

There are colapsable fabric light boxes available on the cheap and they produce good results if you have an off camera flash or a couple small strobes or even bright bulbs. The disadvantage is that they're geared for smaller items, like straight razors , but once you get into anything larger like a strop then you need to get creative on the placing.

Harbor Freight had them for a little while but I can't find them on their site now. they have them on ebay for around 20 or 30 bucks once you factor in shipping.
32" 80cm Light Photo Cube Soft Box w/4 Color Backdrops - eBay (item 270717933803 end time Mar-16-11 15:20:25 PDT)

I am partial to that style since the light diffuses when entering the box through the side.
you could do two lights through the side and one light facing up into the top of the enclosure. this works particularly well if you have a tripod and can do an extended exposure if you have weaker lights.

I used to do product photography, there's a lot you can do with very simple setups. there's no reason to spend more than $30-$50 on a light box setup unless you're going to be doing larger subjects

edit: forgot to mention, i'm all about the DIY aspect and if you can build something just as good or better for your needs then i'm for it
going that route i would suggest something along the lines of what was suggested building a PVC rigging or out of anything you might already have on hand (if you have them around, tinker toys are really good for this too! plus they collapse)

go to a fabric store and they will have synthetic fabrics that are the same stuff that light box i linked to is made of. it's not expensive at all, and you can make whatever size you want as long as you have enough tinker toys.

[randydance062449]

One of our guys, Oldblades, made a collapsible light box by stretching some material over some coat hangers bent into shape for each side then using velcro to hold it all together. I wish I could remember the name of the material.

Tried the PVC pipe route and did not like it. I think I did everything wrong.

[Slartibartfast]

I decided to just be lazy and buy this. Small, but big enough for razors and hones and folds up into a pouch.

NEW Photo Studio Soft Box Cube 40cm/16'' Light Tent - eBay (item 370491767753 end time Apr-09-11 10:50:33 PDT)

[Slartibartfast]

New lightbox in action. I think i may need to put a piece of cardboard in the bottom. not very stable surface and razors do not want to sit.