Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Frank Evans on October 28, 2009 at 0:52

Trent,
I was talking about the poor mans path... You got some heavy duty stuff there!

Permalink Reply by Robert Hale on October 28, 2009 at 7:56

I dug up this old forum post from SharpByCoop that shows how to build a really nice no-frills budget light box. You'll have to register on the KnifeNetwork if you don't already have an account, but these instructions are worth the trouble.

I built a similar light box before I found these instructions that didn't have the diffuser over the top and was having shadow issues. I ended up buying most of the parts I needed to build a box from these plans but never got a 'Round Toit'. Does anyone else have any plans for light boxes?

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on October 28, 2009 at 8:35

While I've seen production light boxes, on the net, for as little as around $50.00, I'm basically a cheap sort and still use my method of outside shooting. However a good tutorial on building a home-made setup is

How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent – DIY

Permalink Reply by Rusty R Halsey on October 30, 2009 at 5:57

My equipment is very basic: a pocket size Polaroid i735 camera, a $30 collapsible light tent from Ebay, a heavy tripod leftover from my 35mm days, and half a dozen different fabrics for backdrops. One of my favorite backgrounds is a bright red smooth fabric covered with a dark blue see-through fine mesh fabric. This creates waves of varying shades of purple, pleasing but not distracting. A bright florescent light above the light tent has given sufficient light.

I got started in digital photography to sell knives on Ebay. I studied the pictures shown on Ebay and tried to replicate the best ones. Keep a simple background - the knife is the subject, not the stuff around it. Fill the frame with the knife. Focus focus focus! Show closeups of distinguishing charactistics ( and flaws! ). That was years ago and I still want to take pictures from at least 4 different angles/views even if no one will ever see 3 out of 4 of the pics.

One of my biggest problems now is reflections on the bolsters. By tipping the knife just a hair this way or that, turning it just a little, I can show the blade etching or tang stamps effectively. But the bolsters curve around and reflect everything around them. I get reflections of the calendar on the wall, the camera, or even myself in the bolsters. My light box has a detachable front flap. When I use it, about 75% of bolster reflections go away but the camera poking thru a dark slit still shows in the bolster. The flap is difficult to use since I must keep one hand on the camera button to maintain the proper focus while tightening the tripod clamps to keep the camera pointed the right way and then dropping the flap over the front of the box. When I finally press the button all the way, I'm shooting blind.

Permalink Reply by Derek Smith on November 2, 2009 at 20:34

Hey Trent,
That old light is really cool.
My dad used to have a similar one that he used when he filmed home movies indoors.
When I was a kid it was always a blinding experience when he broke that bad boy out!

Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on November 4, 2009 at 21:37

Hhahahah
It came with the original LAMPS
Those things put out some serious heat!!

Here is the tag:

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on December 13, 2013 at 18:13

I just got a Cool Pics! Great pictures let me search out a stock photo! So that is it below there and it takes some great pictures! I included the specs for review. 

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on December 13, 2013 at 18:33

• Megapixels: 20.0 Megapixels
• Sensor Type: CCD Sensor
• Zoom: 7.0 X Optical , 4.0 X Digital
• Camera Features: Blink Detection, Face Detection Technology, Best Shot Selector, Optical Image Stabilization, Auto Scene Selector, 720p HD Movie Recording
• Flash Features: Auto On/Off, Fill-In Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow-Sync Flash, Built-In Flash, Flash Cancel
• Display Size: 2.7 "
• ISO Equivalent: Auto, 200, 800, 400, 80, 100, 1600
• Battery Required, included: 1
• Weight: 4.6 Oz.
• Warranty: 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on December 13, 2013 at 21:23

Many folks using the iPhone 4.  So we will start a new discussion soon centering on just that! Have a new discussion soon!

Permalink Reply by Matt Davidson on January 30, 2014 at 22:29

I'd appreciate it if anyone could suggest a good macro lens for my Canon DSLR.  Never done much macro stuff before but I really want to be able to get some great knife close up shots.  Nothing super high end - maybe more of a good starter lens.  Much appreciated.  

Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on February 5, 2014 at 15:54

Sorry Matt, Nikon guy myself...should be lots of forums around for Canon though. If you need a hand finding some, lemme know and I'll try to help out!

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Carl Rechsteiner on December 27, 2014 at 7:08

Steve Hanner said:

I just got a Cool Pics! Great pictures let me search out a stock photo! So that is it below there and it takes some great pictures! I included the specs for review. 

Steve -  I just got a Nikon Coolpix 6800. Got tired of all the hoops with the old cameras I've had. Still got a lot to learn with this one, but at least I can see/read the display and it seems a good bit more user friendly than my old ones. It has been taking some pretty good pics so far. How has yours worked out for you, I'm sure I can benefit from your experiences.