CHEAP small photo "studio" cube

Hooker771 · Feb 19, 2010

Has anyone ever tried anything like this? For 35$ including shipping im sure you get what you pay for but for Macro it seems like it would do the trick at first glance. So has anyone actually purchased something similar?

19.5" Photo Tent Studio Tripod Light Photography Box - eBay (item 350317839259 end time Feb-23-10 06:09:16 PST)

MDWine · Feb 19, 2010

I actually have one very very similar. I worked with it for a day or two, but have abandoned it. The lights supplied with mine (these look nearly identical) were not bright enough to make a difference. My box is very small, making positioning and adjusting tedious... this box is a bit larger.

I'm looking to build my own out of PVC and rip-stop.
My personal .02 is to make your own, and it probably would cost less!
HTH

Goontz · Feb 19, 2010

I agree you'll probably get better results with making your own and I think you'll have better quality, a bigger box, and even a cheaper price tag.

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Jacki · Feb 19, 2010

Yes, make your own. I'm sure you could make something that works for you 10 times better for half the price.

Johnboy2978 · Feb 19, 2010

Just for fun once I took a decent size cardboard box and cut squares out the sides and taped tissue paper over the holes. It worked great and I lighted it w/ my alien bees. I just used it for a couple of shots as I wanted to try my hand at product shots. It served its purpose. I think you could make a decent one out of some pvc 1/2" pvc tubing and some sheer fabric for little of nothing and about 1/2 hour of time. There's not much to it.

chadci · Mar 2, 2010

I built one. I used cake boards from Wallyworld for the top, bottom, back and sides. It was $3.50 for 6 sheets. White on one side, brown on the other. I used parchment paper for the windows. White duct tape to seam everything together and 2 500 watt halagon shop lights. Here is a shot of the box... it's quick and not very pretty. Ohh, there is also the glass from a $2 8/10 picture frame but I've not really used that yet.

And a shot of our wedding cake topper. It's not perfect and I need to work on the exposure a little.