DIY Light and stand
- Thread starter fotojack
- Start date
Ruidoso Bill
Senior Member
That will throw some light! My lightset largest bulb is 85w. I think using one of the smaller umbrellas would soften the light and make it more even. I have seen them on the auction sites and they aren't very expensive.
Did you make the stand or adapt it from something else?
Congrats on a nice looking effort.
Did you make the stand or adapt it from something else?
Congrats on a nice looking effort.
Carolina Photo Guy
Senior Member
RickSawThat
Senior Member
I thought it stood for Cheap Lighting System
AxeMan - Rick S.
Senior Member
Jack I have a similar set up. I use clip on lights attached to two old tripods that I don't normally use and have a third set up over my table, trying to mimic a three light set up.
The clothespins are use to hold in place deflectors or I will put paper in front of the lights to soften them up a little. Because the lights I use run so cool I can put plain paper in front of them and not worry about starting them on fire, however keeping safety in mind I don't leave them on for a long time just in case.
Another Nikonite who is a strobist recommended the Daylight 6500k bulbs. The 6500K will help with your white balance and I have been told it is a purer white light. I have found this to be true. As for the wattage on the lights I just guess at it.
I would play around with this more and maybe get a set of lights at a lower wattage or put dimmer switches on each lamp to control the lighting a little more, but I'm look to pick up two more Speedlights in the coming weeks and feel no need to take this any further than I have.
Light and stand
3 light set up (the fourth is turned off when shooting)
Light bulbs
RAW File (Converted to JPG for post)
JPG from Camera no editing
RAW flie after Lightroom and CS5 adjustments
EXIF
f/36 was used to get more DOF for this shot
The clothespins are use to hold in place deflectors or I will put paper in front of the lights to soften them up a little. Because the lights I use run so cool I can put plain paper in front of them and not worry about starting them on fire, however keeping safety in mind I don't leave them on for a long time just in case.
Another Nikonite who is a strobist recommended the Daylight 6500k bulbs. The 6500K will help with your white balance and I have been told it is a purer white light. I have found this to be true. As for the wattage on the lights I just guess at it.
I would play around with this more and maybe get a set of lights at a lower wattage or put dimmer switches on each lamp to control the lighting a little more, but I'm look to pick up two more Speedlights in the coming weeks and feel no need to take this any further than I have.
Light and stand
3 light set up (the fourth is turned off when shooting)
Light bulbs
RAW File (Converted to JPG for post)
JPG from Camera no editing
RAW flie after Lightroom and CS5 adjustments
EXIF
f/36 was used to get more DOF for this shot
Rick, that's exactly the kind of light I'm using, except it's a 150 watt bulb. It's also the same clip on type fixture I use, except I took off the clip part and just adapted it to an old light stand I have. I'm thinking of getting another fixture and an 85 watt bulb to make up a two light system.
You can see in these pictures where I've taken off the spring clip and just attached it to a rubber piece I slipped over the top section of this light stand.
You can see in these pictures where I've taken off the spring clip and just attached it to a rubber piece I slipped over the top section of this light stand.
Attachments
What kind of light does it produce? Find something to photograph and use the new light to light it. Then tell us what you think and we'll tell you what we think.
It's a nice natural daylight type, Marcel. I'll take a picture of something tonight and post it up to show you what kind of output I get from it, and what effect it has on the photo.
Before and after shots ...with light and without. I can clearly see the difference.
With:
Without:
AxeMan - Rick S.
Senior Member
Jack, that a great idea removing the clips on the lights and putting them on the light stand.
Thanks, Tony. Yeah, I have to figure out some kind of deflector or reflector to control the light. I'm in no rush, though, so I have time to give it some thought.
Carolina Photo Guy
Senior Member
Picture this...
4 squares of styrofoam cut to form a pyramid with the peak removed so it will fit easily into the reflector assembly.
Use clear paintable silicone to join the 4 pieces of styrofoam together.
Paint the inside of the styrofoam with chrome spray paint
Use velcro to attach to the bowl over the light bulb.
This should not cost more than about $10.00 to build and it should dramatically increase the reflected light.
BWTHDIK???
4 squares of styrofoam cut to form a pyramid with the peak removed so it will fit easily into the reflector assembly.
Use clear paintable silicone to join the 4 pieces of styrofoam together.
Paint the inside of the styrofoam with chrome spray paint
Use velcro to attach to the bowl over the light bulb.
This should not cost more than about $10.00 to build and it should dramatically increase the reflected light.
BWTHDIK???