Second day messing with light box

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

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May 28, 2007
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These are not pro images by any means but I am just starting to mess around with different lighting setups and cameras. Figured I'd share. I need figure out what I am doing, this is just experimenting. Still having no luck capturing the pearl on this particular knife.. One problem is that I only have a zoom lense and not a wide angle lense. I am losing focus on the end of the blades.

pearl-smith-1.jpg

cliffmammoth2.jpg
 
I don't believe the focus problem to be due to your using a zoom lens. What aperture do you use? For that kind of pic, an aperture of f/13 or smaller (on a typical dSLR) would be called for.

Wide angles are great, but the compromises that have to be made in their construction result in poor(er) optical characteristics compared to a normal lens of similar quality. I wouldn't use anything wider than a 35mm (on a typical non-pro dSLR) for knife photo.
 
Jon,

Hard to tell what's going on here to advise. Need specs:

Camera, lens, aperture, speed, ISO, and lights--all.

Don't tell me it's a Canon EF 28-135 IS, is it?

Coop
 
Its a Canon EOS 20D. I am on my way out but when I have time to get the specs on the camera lens, speed, ISO etc.. I will post it for you.

Thanks..

This is my fathers Camera and I don't know to much about it yet.
 
I have a 20D, it's a very good camera. Unless you manually set the aperture to something small (e.g., f/13), I suspect this is the cause of the bluring. Large apertures (f/5.6 and below, say) will result in a narrower plane of focus, especially on shots that are somewhat macro like those.
 
Coop how is the EF 28-135 IS lens?

I am curious as to why you braught it up? I am currently trying to find a decent lens that is appropriate for this kind of stuff, but affordable since its all just for fun.

I am also trying to find a better diffuser and don't know where to find the right material.

This is a package from the spiral lights. I don't think they are right or bright enough. I have three of them.

IMG_2297.jpg
 
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Lights, OK, but the daylights would have been better. The color's ain't bad, though.

"Coop how is the EF 28-135 IS lens?" In a word: lousy. Those shots look like they were taken with that. You still only answered one of my queries. What lens did you use? The 18-55?

Canon EF 50mm f2.5 Macro = $250. Crystal clear for cheap.

Vellum diffuser material: Artist Supply store
 
I believe it is 28-200mm. The packaging says f/3.5-5.6 macro. The actual lens reads .45m/1.5 ft

I actually adjusted to the color a bit on those to make it look like that.

Sorry that I don't have all the info yet. I haven't had much time and there have been some crazy things going on here.

I'll check the artist stores. Thanks so much!
 
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