Photo cube

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23rd July 2011, 06:16 PM
gamblor916

Photo cube

After months of scouring the interwebs and photo places for light tents and finding nothing suitable I decided to make my own.
It had to be a decent size, sturdy, collapsible, easy to set up, and allow plenty of light in.

Initial drawing.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/5186/frostyg.jpg

Voila! Made with laser cut semi-opaque acrylic sheet. I made some small tabs to lock the panels in place by just swiveling.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9997/p1013189.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9599/p1013186.jpg

I have to change my lights to daylight bulbs and funds permitting upgrade to a better camera but I think it's a success. I've tweaked the images a bit with photoshop because of that.

On to the pics!

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/3082/p1013173.jpg

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/1046/p1013171.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8696/p1013151.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2203/p1013183s.jpg

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/7753/p1013136.jpg

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3876/p1013139.jpg

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5241/p1013142.jpg
23rd July 2011, 06:31 PM
loophole

oh wow thats cool!! i want one
23rd July 2011, 06:34 PM
KillinSpoon

Holy.... Professional as!
Can you send us the CAD files + material specs? :P
23rd July 2011, 06:48 PM
kurdt_the_goat

Very nice! How much did it cost all up? Where did you get it cut?
23rd July 2011, 06:54 PM
Wheel-J

Great idea! Very inspiring.
23rd July 2011, 07:35 PM
gamblor916

Cheers guys. The pics are still not where I want them to be but that's down to the lighting and camera.
I designed it for 6mm sheet, which in hindsight was a little bit too thick. It's sturdy but heavy. I think 4 or 5mm would be optimal but the drawing needs to be adjusted if using different thicknesses. Colour is opal white.
I got it cut at absoluteplastics.com.au, not cheap at around $400 but better than some places quoting $950 :eek:
I think using thinner sheet would make it cheaper (and lighter).

h o m e dot e x e t e l dot com dot au slash leducly slash frosted dot pdf
23rd July 2011, 08:23 PM
liegeprime

Awesome gamblor, so did you have to buy the stuff first and send it to them or do these guys have the material and cut it for you?
23rd July 2011, 09:26 PM
gamblor916

Material and shipping included.
23rd July 2011, 09:27 PM
liegeprime

That's great!
23rd July 2011, 10:50 PM
KillinSpoon

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamblor916

Cheers guys. The pics are still not where I want them to be but that's down to the lighting and camera.
I designed it for 6mm sheet, which in hindsight was a little bit too thick. It's sturdy but heavy. I think 4 or 5mm would be optimal but the drawing needs to be adjusted if using different thicknesses. Colour is opal white.
I got it cut at absoluteplastics.com.au, not cheap at around $400 but better than some places quoting $950 :eek:
I think using thinner sheet would make it cheaper (and lighter).

h o m e dot e x e t e l dot com dot au slash leducly slash frosted dot pdf

Apart from the cost of the materials, I could get this cut for free potentially (I'd have to get permission to use the laser cutters at uni, seeing as I used them + the 3d printers last year I'm hoping I'd be able to get it).
Could we get the schematics? (I may get one done for me) :P
24th July 2011, 09:52 AM
gamblor916

Wow you're lucky. File I used is above cunningly disguised :D
24th July 2011, 10:58 AM
Skullcruncher

Sweet, awesome work gamblor! I want one too :D
24th July 2011, 11:05 AM
kup

Very impressive and creative. This is a much better alternative than photo tents, maybe you should see if you can mass produce and sell them.
25th July 2011, 05:43 PM
Hursticon

Wow! :eek:

That is an incredibly well done project, Gamblor, you should be bloody proud mate! ;):cool:
The photos look absolutely amazing too I might add, tweaked or not, the Skyline's look particularly stunning as does Venom(?)! :D:cool:
25th July 2011, 06:43 PM
Vector Prime

$400 for that? :eek:

I'm sorry to say mate, but IMHO, it would have been better to have contributed that money towards a new camera or lens upgrade.

What sort of camera/equipment are you using at the moment?
25th July 2011, 07:43 PM
gamblor916

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vector Prime

$400 for that? :eek:

I'm sorry to say mate, but IMHO, it would have been better to have contributed that money towards a new camera or lens upgrade.

What sort of camera/equipment are you using at the moment?

Olympus c770 circa around 2004.
I think it's worth it. I've been searching for a light box for months. Now I have a setup that's purpose designed for my needs. Plus it fits perfectly and nicely finished if I do say so myself.
25th July 2011, 08:46 PM
Deceptic_Optic

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamblor916

Olympus c770 circa around 2004.
I think it's worth it. I've been searching for a light box for months. Now I have a setup that's purpose designed for my needs. Plus it fits perfectly and nicely finished if I do say so myself.

looks cool gamblor and love the shots!!!:eek: :cool:
26th July 2011, 01:10 AM
Vector Prime

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamblor916

Olympus c770 circa around 2004.
I think it's worth it. I've been searching for a light box for months. Now I have a setup that's purpose designed for my needs. Plus it fits perfectly and nicely finished if I do say so myself.

Fair enough man... if you think it's worth it, then it's worth it. :)

I was just thinking that the $400 could have contributed partially towards a good DSLR and your images would be just as a good without the need for a light box - especially if you have access to photoshop anyway.

But to each their own - DSLR's are like opening another tin of worms altogether, sometimes it's best to stay away from them (sadly I've learnt the hard way). :o
28th July 2011, 04:50 PM
tron07

nice cube... photos looks nice too