Hi Folks

Just wanted to share with you my homemade light box set up. It's made with 1/2" PVC pipe, tees, end caps and street elbows. I cut sheets of vellum tracing paper with velcro dots in the corners so they will attach to the sides and top of the light box. I added a few screws along the top rear tube to hang the construction paper sweeps from. A couple of desk lamps with 60 watt bulbs and away I go!

Total cost was about $15.00 Cdn. Of course it would be more if I bought the lamps too but I had them lying around.


I used this WEBSITE as my construction guide.

Here's a couple of photos of the setup:





And a sample image:



cheers and happy model building photography !!


Bob

That's a nice build. I like that it's customizable to the size of your specific work space or project style.

Nice affordable project for anyone needing a photo box, Lt-Commander.

Thanks for sharing, Bob. That's a nice set-up. I'm guessing you have a pretty good camera as well, though? DSLR?

Thanks again for sharing

Rudi

Thanks folks

I have a Nikon D40 DSLR with and 18-55mm lens on a Velbon CX 480 tripod. It's literally the camera of my dreams.... LOVE it. It's made me realized how much I don't know about photography, but I'm learning.

I'm doing the photographer's dance of joy..!!!!



Bob

thanks for sharing this with us. The practical and affordable materials is what I like most about it. It also works great from the sample images.

Bob

I know exactly what you mean. I have a Nikon D80 and was totally lost when I first got it. Now I am only a little lost.'

Nice Project. This is seriously something I need to build for myself.

I have the same set up, but a little smaller. What I find nice about it is I can take it apart for easy storage, then reassemble it when needed in a couple of minutes if that. I plan on making a larger one to accomodate my larger subjects such as my 1/72 subs, 1/35 PT and "S" boats etc. Still plugging away with my little Kodak Easyshare V1003 10 Meg point and shoot. Planning on up-gunning to a DSLR soon though. I have other things I like to photograph and the little guy just doesn't cut when it comes to those sujects. Thanks for sharing...nice model too. "Q"

hey bob great light box , i use the same d40 and love it ,same lense but im looking to upgrade to a 300mm zoom as i do weddings and christenigs so im looking at a 500mm mirrow lense to take portraits,, i take my pics of models outside if i can , but i like this lightbox for when the weather is not so bright ,, thank you for the ideas ,,very good mate .
i used a similar technique to photograph a german bmwr75 not so long ago its in the large scale section if you want to see it .. have fun with your camera ,, Ian

@ Ian

I looked at your BMW R75, sweet model and very nice photgraphs.

cheers;

Bob

This is excellent Bob ! I work in a hot tub place so getting the pipe and fittings is no trouble at all , but where do you get the vellum tracing paper ?

Also like the fact that this can be taken a part for easy storage .

Hi Terri

The vellum tracing paper I bought by the roll at Staples. Any art supply or stationary/office supply store should carry it. Really want you want is large sheets of tracing paper that can be trimmed to size or off the roill like I did.

cheers;

Bob

thanks for the compilments bob.
regards Ian

Thanks Bob . I will have a look into that .

Hello Bob thanks for all the help as well as the site information, will build the box this weekend

I built one of these previously and used a white sheet, but found the sheet too cumbersome.
The vellum paper is a great idea to slim it down, now off to Staples!!
Thanks!!!

Jamie

Thanks guys and you're welcome too. Good luck building it and have fun...



Bob

Hello Bob:

I have just built the box frame and have made a pattern for a canopy with the bed sheet material. What differance does vellum paper have over the sheet material?


Robert