Cheap photo macro lighting for close pictures

A

Albert E

Joined
Jul 3, 2008
Messages
101
After looking at very expensive ring flashes,or dual macro flashes ($600.00 + or -,I decided to try a simple system for real close pictures!!I can make the others in a light box or other ways.This is a very simple $20.00 cost here,probably less in the US!!I bought 3 headband 12 LED lanterns for about $5.00 each,and 9 AAA batteries(3 for each lantern).For the test I used one of the elastic headbands for the three lanterns,and put those round the 35mm Olympus macro lens on my Olympus E330,directed the three looking inwards toward the lens field!!I will refine the holding system soon!!Now I know it will work ok!!Hereby some very close pictures,handheld(no tripod).
First a damascus switchblade blade very close up,and a switchblade safety and inside button lock,wit lithium grease(black)visible,fingerprints,and some minor defects too!!Next a model locomotive's gear 1/87 scale(HO)taken through a glass (from my collection).

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This is the looks now before I cut and make a better mounting on the E330,or the E3 with which I took these two pictures!!

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Thanks for looking!!Maybe it helps improvise to some fellow picture taking knifemaker!!
Regards:Albert
 
real nice money saving projekt :) with raw you should be able to adjust away the blueness in the pics right?
 
Obsidion said:
real nice money saving projekt :) with raw you should be able to adjust away the blueness in the pics right?
Click to expand...

He can adjust the pics he already took if they're raw. But in the future, RAW shouldn't even be necessary. Just point the rig at a gray card and set custom white balance.
 
Thanks Obsidion,andChanwahyaoh!!I just have to take care of the white ballance!!Since yesterday I improved on it!!I got an extra torch,an old giveaway album cover(cardboard)cut a 52mm round hole,stuck an old filter screw on,and stuck the lamps and mount with Zap A Gap!!Now I have full angle adjustment,and 56 LEDs!!It works still better!!Here some pictures,and results!!

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I hope this one will help someone!!Total spent maybe $26.00(Less in
the US!!)
Regards:
Albert
 
Can't figure out when the ordinary lighting setup one would use for photographing knives as many of us do here would not be more than adequate.

each image on this collage was done with the same light setup

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Thanks Murray!!The problem is when you get so close your lens makes a shade on your subject,not before.You can go pretty close in your knife tent or whatever,but no further!!Yo need a ring light(like your dentist,or a macro flash couple mounted looking inwards on the lens front mount!!Lovely pictures!!
Dusty!!Thanks!!It is so cheap that if you don't like it you can junk it!!
When I return to my ranch I will see how it works real close with my bellows macro lens!!
I will keep you informed!!
Regards:Albert
 
I'm impressed. The watch shots are NOT easy, and you made it look clear. Damned, if I could find those around here for $5 USD. I don't think so....

Murray, I think he's got something pretty specialized for REALLY close work. Not for me, but certainly a value.

Set that white balance to fluorescent or something, to try to get the blue cast tamed--my only suggestion.

Thanks!

Coop
 
not bad now :) you could try diffuseing the leds with someting to elininate the lightspots you get in a few of the new shots :) maybe something like white bakeing papre could work for the budget user.. who knows
 
Thanks Coop,and Obsidion!!I now have to make some difusers as you suggest,and maybe work with manual white ballance instead of auto!!The old wriswatch face was taken with the E3 and seems to have a better white ballance!!The difusers can be made as you suggest with some of those baking papers,or varnished white paper to eliminate the led dots's reflections!!I t is a very quick project,and is perfectible!!
Best regards:
Albert
PS:I am ging to test,and see if it works,a round LED emergency light to see if it is good enough for my small pocket Sony W7 which has a thinner lens that goes through the hole of this!!I will inform!!I must get the W/ from one of my gradaghters who has it for a couple of days!!

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This one has only 20 LEDs,and might be lacking!!
 
damn! do you have a link to the last led product? i bet you`ll get a nice effect reflected in eyes for portraits :)
 
Sorry Obsidion!!No link!!Just Made in China!!!It comes from the supermaket here and goes for about $6.00 withour the three AA batteries!!It is sold as a safety lamp or for a tent when camping!!!20 leds is a bit scarce for handheld pictures I think!!
Regards:Albert
 
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And here the final version with 6 lanterns of 14 LEDs each(84 total),and with home made difusers made with discardable plastic glasses!!
Regards:Albert

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LED technology is advancing quickly. I've tested some srew in replacement household bulbs and they now have three types of 'white' - cool white [very blue] ,white [slightly blue] and warm white [ similar to incandescent]. So where color is important look around for choices.
 
Thanks Mete!!Here we don't have much choice (yet),So meanwhile I will rely on my white ballance (auto??)!!Results are prommissing !!
Regards:Albert

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A section of an old Thai bank note.

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Old british coin(lower part slightly out of focus)Quite well illuminated,adequate contrast,no reflections.

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Some old collector tea size spoons.No harsh shadows!!

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Amethist block I have.Satisfactory!!
 
These are with the Sony W7 point and shoot pockett camera and the 20 LED ringlight!!
Not bad for the cost!!

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Safety razor just used!!And HO model loco from my collection!!(Made by me about 30 years ago)Hand held,no flash,no harsh shades!!
Now it's up to you to evaluate if it is usefull or not for you!!
Regards:Albert
 
Cool idea Albert !! Here is what Picassa did with your image with just a few clicks. Not knowing what the original looks like, I am assuming it is pretty close. Impressive to say the least.
Greg

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Greg!!That Picassa did a great job!!Thanks for showing it!!Used to old film photography I am sometimes amazed of the things you can do with some pictures and a computer!!
Regards!!
Albert
 
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