DIY light tent, low budget

Compaq

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I've been annoyed by looking at the shots I take of razors. When I buy an old DE razor, I take pics before and after the cleaning. I've just put an A4 white paper on the ground and shot with available light. So, I glanced over a guide, and went to buy what I needed earlier today:

- one box, 20kr
- white sheet, non-stretch 200kr
- thick piece of paper for the backdrop, one white and one black, 40kr

I also needed a sharp knife, a pair of scissors and some tape.

First, I cut holes in the box. Three for light, and one for the opening. There was no top on this box, so I just leave that as it is.

IMG_0711[1] by Anders Myhre Brakestad, on Flickr


Then I measure by eye how large pieces of sheet I needed for the holes, and cut them.

IMG_0712[1] by Anders Myhre Brakestad, on Flickr


After taping these on the box itself. I then inserted the backdrop into the box, and voila, the whole thing is practically done.

IMG_0713[1] by Anders Myhre Brakestad, on Flickr


The only thing missing is light. I just took some of the lamps home and put them where I wanted them. These don't omit white light, so suppose I need to do some colour correcting in PS. It's not hard to get white lighted bulbs, though.


IMG_0715[1] by Anders Myhre Brakestad, on Flickr


IMG_0716[1] by Anders Myhre Brakestad, on Flickr





And that's my new light tent. I reckon my pics of razors will be better lighted from now on, even if this doesn't give me the best results available :) It cost me in total of 260kr, which equals out to about £29 / $44. I'm not sure if I could buy a new one for that price. If I could, then what the heck, I had fun making this anyway :)

Some test shots will follow in another thread.

:)
 
Perhaps not as cheap, but more durable, use PVC pipe for the frame.
 
This one will last years if I handle it with great care. You gotta love your equipment ;)

But you're probably right :P
 
0065oe-14613684.jpg


I built this about 10 years back. Cost like $25

No Money? Get PVC Pipe! - Photo.net Lighting Equipment and Techniques Forum
 
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What sort of contraption am I looking at?

I actually thought about, when making this, that maybe I should upgrade the framing at some point. When this one breaks, I'll be sure to check out more sturdy material :)
 
Ohh, neat :) 10 years ago? That's a long time for those PVC legs!
 
lol. I lost it in a move. But i am sure it'd hold up.
 
Diffuse natural light? How great is the effect indoors? Or is it made for sunny outdoor shots?
 
You could use it indoors I guess, or with artificial light. But it's really intended for outdoors.
 
Soo, I forgot my cheaply light tent back home, and I want a new one. These PVC tubes seem sturdy, so I'm planning on buying those. I just need to make a quick draft of dimensions, what parts I'll need and so on.

Initiate sketching! :)
 
Okay. So I've drawn a sketch. I don't have much experience in sizes here, so I've set the dimensions to 60x50x40 cm. I know need an overly large tent, just to shoot stuff as small cameras, digital setup, DE razors or shaving brushes, other things I might sell.
I'm not too sure how sheets of paper would fit in the current dimensions. Worst case scenario is I'll need to buy a bigger piece of paper than I need, and cut it.

I'll need 8 three-way "forks" for each corner. I'm not sure how large these will be, so I haven't considered the length of each leg in the following assumption.
Based on already mentioned dimensions, I will need 6 meters of PVC tubes MINUS what the forks will contribute to the dimensions. These calculations are based on that I can fit the tubes inside the forks, without any linking pieces. I've done a quick search, and I think the price per meter if very low, so I don't think this will cost me much.

I will also need sheets of white/black paper + some white fabrics for the walls and roof. Lastly, I should have colour neutral lights (white light). I'm not sure how much that will cost. If I get powerful bulbs, maybe I could just buy some inexpensive table lamps or something?

Suggestions wrt lighting?
 
Okay. So I've drawn a sketch. I don't have much experience in sizes here, so I've set the dimensions to 60x50x40 cm. I know need an overly large tent, just to shoot stuff as small cameras, digital setup, DE razors or shaving brushes, other things I might sell.
I'm not too sure how sheets of paper would fit in the current dimensions. Worst case scenario is I'll need to buy a bigger piece of paper than I need, and cut it.

I'll need 8 three-way "forks" for each corner. I'm not sure how large these will be, so I haven't considered the length of each leg in the following assumption.
Based on already mentioned dimensions, I will need 6 meters of PVC tubes MINUS what the forks will contribute to the dimensions. These calculations are based on that I can fit the tubes inside the forks, without any linking pieces. I've done a quick search, and I think the price per meter if very low, so I don't think this will cost me much.

I will also need sheets of white/black paper + some white fabrics for the walls and roof. Lastly, I should have colour neutral lights (white light). I'm not sure how much that will cost. If I get powerful bulbs, maybe I could just buy some inexpensive table lamps or something?

Suggestions wrt lighting?
Do you have a budget? For enough power AND color neutral you are talking some bucks. Especially if heat is a consideration.
How about a couple of speedlites? The cheaper yongnuo's should be more than adequate for this and a trigger setup. Price should come in around $100.
 

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