Highplains Coyote Loc: Roggen, Colorado

hswader,

Not the best quality photo. I added some dimensions and cut (notch) and sew markings.

I used the factory hem and slid tubes thru hem on 3 sides of my box the cut the last box at 2' - 4'' and hemmed it for my 4th tube them sew the other 4 seams. I made it pretty tight fitting.


EDIT UPDATE:

See photo for Notch and how tube fit into factory seam and my BEAUTY seam. I do not think I would make it as a tailor...:-)

Sheet Cut Sew Pattern

(Download)

Notch for Fitting

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

GREAT stuff here ! - Thanks for sharing !

hswader Loc: Bedford, PA

Thank you for the information on cutting the sheet. Now that I have all the information I think I'll need, I'll be getting the material need ASAP.

Thanks again
Yours, Haskell

Highplains Coyote Loc: Roggen, Colorado

I had most of the pipe and fittings left over from other projects. My wive had some old bed sheets and I talked her out of one. See a pattern here ;-)

I went on line this morning and priced these items for you:

HOME DEPOT:

4-10' PVC Schedule 40 1/2 - 2.03ea
8-1/2x1/2x1/2 Side Outlet - 0.98ea
4-1/2 cap - 0.38ea
2-1/2x1/2x1/2 T-fitting - 0.54ea
2-1/2x1/2 90 elbow - 0.28ea
3-Clamp Lights - 6.97ea
3-Daylight Compact Bulbs - 2.25ea
1-Sheet approx Amazon - 8.00ea

Total w/o sheet = $47.31

Total with Sheet = $55.31

Satisfaction of DIY =PRICELESS

DO NOT GLUE TUBES TO FITTINGS - Allows for ez take down & storeage.

1 MORE thing I used a couple of pieces of 22x28 inch white poster board to line inside box. You need a curved back so you don't get a shadow line. If you are shooting larger objects you will need a longer sheet of poster board to eliminate seam where the two sheets overlap. Seam WILL show up in your photos!

hswader Loc: Bedford, PA

Thanks again for the added info for that light tent. I think I have most of the pipe pieces in the shed (along with a lot of other s**t (LOL). If I need more, I'll just go to my local Lowe's (don't have a Home Depot anywhere close).

hswader

catfish252

[quote=Highplains Coyote]I had most of the pipe and fittings left over from other projects. My wive had some old bed sheets and I talked her out of one. See a pattern here ;-)

I went on line this morning and priced these items for you:

*******************

Thank you Coyote for going to all that trouble of gathering those prices, I was only looking for a ball park price, having never bought PVC piping before. Your effort is appreciated. Have a great day.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Good project. Thanks for posting.

Don

DJO

I have been building my own photographic equipment for years. Good for you.

I see a potential problem with your design. I am a former jewelry photographer. A piece of jewelry, or any reflective object, can be thought of as a mirror that is able to see in all directions. Although often easier said than done, there is a way to overcome this challenge. It sounds like a simple trick: You don't light the mirror, you light what the mirror sees.

The potential, possibly inevitable, flaw in your design is that whatever you photograph (no matter how non reflective you think it may be) will "see" the PVC pipe. See everything, right down to the bar codes. The frame, PVC or otherwise, should be external, rather than inside of the tent.

Fortunately, you have what is otherwise a very good design. Structurally, it is very sound, and your choice of materials makes it versatile. Modification (should you decide it necessary) would be easily achieved.

A rule of thumb for most things is, "You can always cut more off, but you can't put it back." In your situation, the existing lengths of PVC pipe can be extended quite simply with couplings and glue.

If you would like, I can share some ideas about how to support the existing fabric once the frame has been enlarged. But I don't want to waste your time or mine. My observations are that and nothing more; my reply is not meant to be critical in any way. Please do not take offense. I reiterate that your design is very good and add that your forethought and craftsmanship both are admirable. What you have completed, ingeniously, may perfectly well suit all of your needs.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I have been watching this wonderful thread! Another possible plus to an outside frame ( perhaps supported by stitching) is ease of modifying the shape. Perhaps a curved roof/sides for example...

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

Thank you for the plans. I was going to try my luck at designing one, but your plans look better then anything I would have come up with.

Highplains Coyote Loc: Roggen, Colorado

No offense taken.

I love to hear new thoughts and ideas. It is like iron sharpening iron, it should make us both sharper.

I could easily build another and design it with the sleeves for tubes sewn in such a way that the tubes are on the outside of the tent.

I never thought of the reflections showing everything, though I do see silly reflections in some the photos I've taken.

Thank you for the very good help.

Highplains Coyote Loc: Roggen, Colorado

Now you got me thinking even more.

Would the curve help disperse the light and help reduce flare, hot spots and shadows?

I have a feeling I may be making several tents to test different designs and shapes.

Thank you for stimulating my brain.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Concave shaped diffusers are very effective in the macro world. And a larger light tent (why not concave also) surrounding an existing lighting solution might very well increase available light allowing faster light. Anyway for the world I play in, I am getting some PVC fittings!!

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

Did I miss seeing some of the photos that came out of using this interesting rig?

Highplains Coyote Loc: Roggen, Colorado

Here are two links to post showing photos taken inside this light tent.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-359584-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-359951-1.html