anyone tried to use light tents on the market. how do you like them, any feedbacks will be great.
i am thinking about buying one from amazon.

something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009Z0VWI/ref=wl_it_dp/102-2495393-0044959?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3MXPPDUKRYC3J&colid=1DJHLJ57EU106

sorry, one more try.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009Z0VWI/ref=wl_it_dp/102-2495393-0044959?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3MXPPDUKRYC3J&colid=1DJHLJ57EU106

I've just bought one on abay, so i will let you know.

Stuart

I consider a "light tent", or in my case, a box, one of the best investments I've ever made! At a cost of about $40 USD the box I use consists of a PVC framework over which you slip a pre-sewn muslin cover on five sides. I use three simple 100w flood lamps, but angle them in such a way that the fabric diffuses the light. Man, you can take professional images without alot of hassle or concern. Once you establish your "set-up" it's simply a matter of photographing the model.

Mike Kirchoff

Mike,

I'd love to see a photo of that setup. I don't suppose you could indulge me?

Thanks matey,

Rudi

I'd like to see this as well Mike please

I'll try to post a pic or two of my "professional" setup tomorrow. I think you guys will be amazed at how elaborate it really isn't .......

Simple is as simple does!!!

Mike

I've been looking at this one with great interest:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280103225278&rd=1&rd=1

I use a larger tent that I picked up on e-bay along with ordinary desk lamps (2 halogens that are 50w, 2 clamp student lamps that are incandescent 75w) positioned as needed. I have an extra top light that's a converted "heat lamp" daylight bulb that's got a natural sunlight bulb in it for when I need good overhead light as well. All of this sits on an old converted computer desk and I use a tri-pod I bought at Wal-Mart that was originally designed for cam-corders (has heavier duty legs and a bubble level for all three legs). Works pretty good for virtually anything in 1/35 scale armor department for photos, even the longer barrelled vehicles.

Thnx for posting that Bill. I've been wondering about a tent and light set up too. My pics are ok but still really dependant on having reasonable light conditions around. I need something I can leave set up somewhere and know that it works every time....... off now to pick up a light tent!

cheers
Brent

Thanks for showing us your setup, Bill.

Is that the 80cm tent?

Thanks again

Rudi

I took the plunge and bought the ebay one.
I'll try anything to improve my photos.

Rudi, I think so...don't recall the exact measurements but believe it's a 30 inch by 40inch cube. It has several features/advantages...it's got a wire frame inside the fabric so it can be collapsed easily for storage/transport (think the fold-up type of sun shades for cars) and it came with velcro inside for attaching backrounds (white and black came with it). I use single sheet posterboards for the background instead (white, blue, and black) depending just because it's easier to manage/change out. It's perfect for using diffused/indirect light and is something I continue to play around with along with my camera settings depending on the subject.

love the fish!!

They're actually food for the resident Yellow Mud Turtle that you see in the same photo. Of course, these are the "survivors" but periodically one disappears suddenly from day to day whenever he needs the calcium.

So I take it that you use the lights through the cloth tent, not directly shinning them on the subject?

[/quote]

They're actually food for the resident Yellow Mud Turtle that you see in the same photo. Of course, these are the "survivors" but periodically one disappears suddenly from day to day whenever he needs the calcium. [/quote]


Oooooh! you monster!

he he he

Yup, the cloth diffuses the light.

Thanks, I got my email today that it's on it's way. Hopefully it will arrive Monday.

Stuart,

Everybody's got to eat.

Dave,

The lights are positioned on the outside and the lights themselves are adjusted depending on the angle and the shot I'm trying to get. The idea is to create an area of "diffused" lighting via the cloth but also without the lights, even through the cloth, shining directly on the subject. This avoids "hot spots" and shadows even through the cloth. That's why I love the student gooseneck desk type lamps, I can crane them every which way as needed depending with little fuss. Two of the lights are halogens, so have to be careful not to leave them on too long next to the cloth, but this stuff is pretty tough since it's designed for professional photography and the heat those lights put out.

Oooh! Never seen this thing before... I might have to invest. It looks great!

For the curious, I got out the old measuring stick and checked the dimensions on my cube. It's 20" wide by 30" tall. Not sure what that translates to in cm/mm but you get the idea. I needed the larger width to be able to accomodate the big-gun vehicles that pop up from time to time in the German WW2 catalogue of weaponry.

Hi there

As promised here are some picture using the light tent. It really does help difuse the light. I was using a really simple set up, consisting of two desk lamps placed outside of the tent, one overhead and the other placed to one side.

Still not fantastic results, but I am putting that down to my set up, not the product. I am only using a simple digital camera and a couple of old desk lamps!





Overall 10/10