Looking for a Light Cube

[beowulfthehunter]

Ok, after being told for the 100th time that my photo\'s do not do my paint jobs justice I decided it is time to buy a light cube.

I checked on E-bay and while the prices seem fair the shipping people are charging is insane. I mean shipping in the US to the US is 12-20 bucks! WTF.

So where can I get one for roughly 20ish any ideas?

 

[skeeve]

I would like to second this inquiry and add to it. Light cubes seem to come in various sizes. What size would you recommend for taking pictures of minis?

Thanks.

 

[Naukhel]

Isn\'t there an article on how to make your own? I\'m sure I saw one, somewhere.
Or was it a thread here?

My memory is failing me as I catch up to DR in age...

*ducks and covers*

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by Naukhel
Isn\'t there an article on how to make your own? I\'m sure I saw one, somewhere.
Or was it a thread here?

My memory is failing me as I catch up to DR in age...

*ducks and covers*
As Well You May!

There are several references to Lightcube when doing a search of the forums.
I too remember someone discussing making their own. haven\'t tracked it down yet but I\'m sure it was one of two people either, Finn17 or Mickc22.

 

[Ritual]

It\'s not difficult to make one yourself. I have and I didn\'t even read any articles. All you need is something that spreads and softens the light. You can use tracer paper or a thin white cloth or something similar. Then you need some sort of frame to put the material on. It\'s hardly rocket science! lol

 

[the alleycat]

I posted my jome made effort a while back, not sure i remember where.
Used a cardboard box for the frame work and parchment paper to diffuse the light... job\'s a goodun for the cost of a couple of quid

 

[supervike]

Ah...making your own probably is easy...

BUT...

You can find them on Ebay if you are just patient and search correctly. I got mine for just under 30 bucks.

You probably don\'t want anything bigger than 12\"x12\"....

Heres one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Light-Tent-Soft-Box-3-backdrops-2-openings-NEW_W0QQitemZ320041686035QQihZ011QQcategoryZ79008QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

on Bbay Ive seen people sell light cubes for a few dollars but then charge $19.99 or more shipping and \"Handeling\" on the other hand I see people sell them at their normal price of $30.00 but then chage $4-5.00 shipping.

Its just a game they are playing making you think you got a deal..then taking you to the cleaners on postage to make up for the loss on the item. Worse yet some of these places wont combine shipping so if you buy multiple items you really get screwed.

If you go to a legitimate photography web site a 12\" cube light tent retails about $30.00

 

[Ritual]

Well, the one I made cost... NOTHING!! I used stuff I found at home that probably would have ended up in the trash unless I had found some other use for it!

 

[Sonnyslayer]

Originally posted by Ritual
Well, the one I made cost... NOTHING!! I used stuff I found at home that probably would have ended up in the trash unless I had found some other use for it!

! what did you use?

 

[Ritual]

Originally posted by Sonnyslayer

Originally posted by Ritual
Well, the one I made cost... NOTHING!! I used stuff I found at home that probably would have ended up in the trash unless I had found some other use for it!

! what did you use?

Just some leftover wood which I used to construct a thin frame and then some tracer paper that I attached on the sides and top (the directions from which I light the mini). I then put a light blue paper on the back and bent it softly in a smooth arc and let it rest on the bottom so that I can place the mini on it and there will be no corner in the back behind the mini. It\'s not pretty, but it does its job!

 

[supervike]

Here is a link, if you\'d really want to make one at home.

Seems alot of work and effort that could be spent on painting, but to each thier own!

http://www.dragon-miniatures.com/tips.php?page=diffusion

 

[Ritual]

Vikey, you don\'t need anything that fancy. Mine took 10 minutes to build. Like I said above, it\'s not rocket science. You just need something between the lamps and the mini to spread the light. Doesn\'t have to look good!

BTW, why does it always have to be \"rocket science\"? It\'s not like rocket science is the most difficult type of science... :]

 

[airhead]

the dragon mini link is in my sig.

I built my first one out of left over pvc pipe and a window sheer.

Bought one from ebay later - you\'ve really got to watch the shipping from those guys. But if you are patient, you can get one for around $20 including S&H. Which is still half of the photo store\'s price. I don\'t mind buying from him, but I hate to see him retiring off of me.

and as to size, a 12\" or 15\" should do all but the largest minis we paint.

 

[supervike]

Originally posted by Ritual

BTW, why does it always have to be \"rocket science\"? It\'s not like rocket science is the most difficult type of science... :]

I think the Rocket Scientist Union pushed that through in the 60\'s, the International Quantam Physic Brotherhood tried to get it changed, but the lobbyists were just too strong.

 

[Ritual]

Damn those rocket scientists!! They\'re just jealous because they never understood quantum physics! :cussing:

 

[D.O.Error]

Originally posted by beowulfthehunter

I checked on E-bay and while the prices seem fair the shipping people are charging is insane. I mean shipping in the US to the US is 12-20 bucks! WTF.

A lot of the people on eBay with really high shipping charges don’t actually have the items that they’re selling in hand. When you win their action they place an order for that item with some large manufacturer, usually in Asia, and have it shipped directly to you. So the shipping needs to be higher since it’s not being shipped from the local seller. Plus inflating the shipping is how these types of sellers make money (which isn’t much) since there isn’t much of a mark up on their items due to too many middle-men in the chain.

These auctions can be risky because there are often delays, damaged items, out-of-stocks or other shipping problems that the seller can’t do much about since he never had the item in hand to begin with. All he can do is complain to the manufacturer and hope they send the correct item or cancel your order and refund your money.

So where can I get one for roughly 20ish any ideas?

I bought a 16\" x 16\" cube from this guy for about $13 shipped.
Link
Looks like he\'s raised his prices by about 4 bucks since then but his prices are still fair.

 

[mickc22]

Originally posted by Dragonsreach

Originally posted by Naukhel
Isn\'t there an article on how to make your own? I\'m sure I saw one, somewhere.
Or was it a thread here?

My memory is failing me as I catch up to DR in age...

*ducks and covers*
As Well You May!

There are several references to Lightcube when doing a search of the forums.
I too remember someone discussing making their own. haven\'t tracked it down yet but I\'m sure it was one of two people either, Finn17 or Mickc22.

thanks for the credit Mike, I did make one but I\'m not sure I actually discussed it anywhere ??? I could be wrong as I\'m about that age too
To be honest, the difference in picture quality between home made and \'tent\' is well worth the money for the tent.
I bought a 50cm tent from Steves Photo Shop on ebay, reasonable price and fast shipping (UK).
Could have got away with a 30cm one though I s\'pose. Still, if I decide to do some 200mm minis, they\'ll still fit in

 

[beowulfthehunter]

@D.O.Error I just bought one from the guy, thanks for the link.