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Does anybody know of a photobox/lightbox or whatever you want to call them that I could either buy or make that I could use for photographing minis with a good quality lighting system? It must be collapsible and take up as little room as possible when folded up, including the lights. Also, any advice on what style of lights to go for would be really helpful.

Thanks!

Personnaly i use this:
http://www.pearl.fr/photo/accessoires/divers/studio-photo-transportable_PE3415.html
it's quite good for all I do .
hope being helpful

Try this: http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

Just modify the back flaps of the box so you can lock them in place while taking pictures and wham, got you a portable, collapsible light box.

As for lights, just take 2 desklamps (they cost $10-$15 at Walmart) and buy daylight simulation bulbs (normal lightbulbs have a yellow tint) and there is your light source.

This is the one I use. It folds flat and has spring steel in it so it pops open. I has velcro strips inside to attach backdrops. The are cheaper ones that would work well to. B and H photo is a good place to buy from.


WYNNstudio

I was literally just building something almost identical to the one described on Strobist, except I'm using a PVC pipe frame so it won't fall apart as quickly.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The cardboard box ones are cheap, but surely they aren't that durable in the long term.

Earenciel, thanks for that. It looks very good, although slightly over the price I was looking for, although since it ticks all the boxes, maybe I just need to shell out. Shame my French is quite weak....

Wynnstudio, did you mean to add a link in your post?

InyokaMadoda wrote:Wynnstudio, did you mean to add a link in your post?

D'oh late night posting will get ya.

try this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/275517-REG/Photek_DLH_15_22_Digital_Lighthouse_Small.html

I have made my own and use this one. Both will get the job done but the commercial one make it that much easier and clean up is a snap.


WYNNstudio

there's a bunch of different set-ups on amazon.

wynnstudio wrote:

InyokaMadoda wrote:Wynnstudio, did you mean to add a link in your post?

D'oh late night posting will get ya.

try this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/275517-REG/Photek_DLH_15_22_Digital_Lighthouse_Small.html

I have made my own and use this one. Both will get the job done but the commercial one make it that much easier and clean up is a snap.


WYNNstudio

Thanks for that Wynnstudio. I was looking at some of them as they're pretty cheap on eBay at the mo. I assume that you rate them pretty highly. Can I ask what lighting you use with it? Do you use specialist lighting or just desklamps? Also, would you mind posting a photo so I can get an idea of the end product? Thanks in advance.

InyokaMadoda wrote:
Thanks for that Wynnstudio. I was looking at some of them as they're pretty cheap on eBay at the mo. I assume that you rate them pretty highly. Can I ask what lighting you use with it? Do you use specialist lighting or just desklamps? Also, would you mind posting a photo so I can get an idea of the end product? Thanks in advance.

Depending how lazy I am is what lights I use. I use the architect lamps at my workspace, just 2 standard 100 watt bulbs. Just get your self a tripod and then us can work with slower shutter speeds. If your camera has a custom white balance setting learn to use that. It will save you a lot of time messing with color balance.

A good cheap option for lighting is "clamp lights" they are cheap and can handle higher white bulbs then a desk lamp. I have 250 watts in those.




If I'm really ambitious I drag out my studio strobs but honestly I can get the same results with 2 100 watt bulbs.

from the light box with the 100 watt bulbs


box and strobs


WYNNstudio

http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74079studio/index.htm

best price;

http://www.prohoists.com/Studio_Photo_Box_Lighting_Tent_Kit._photography_lights_with_muslin_set:_red,blue,white,black

rexscarlet, has that thing been that price for a while or is a recent sale? I want one but doubt I can spare the cash for it right now, even at that good of a price.

Thanks to all of you for posting the variety of boxes. I'm in the UK, so will have to source them over here, but the ideas are great and it's really useful to see what is out there.
Thanks specifically to WynnStudio for the help!