Light Tent Questions...

[m3rdpwr]

I'm not sure if I'm asking the question properly or not and not having found the exact answer, I was hoping for some assistance.

I was going to photograph some small items and was looking to purchase a light tent. (Yes, I'm aware I can make one as well.)

My question is this for people who do alot of this photographyy.

Do you find it you are photographing let's say jewelry that you use a small maybe 12" square tent?

Than at the same time do you have another larger tent for example 30" square or so for larger items?

I guess in my mumbling to describe is that is it better to use a tent size suited to what you are photographing?

Lighting aside, am I going to get the same quality and control photographing that small item in a small 12" tent versus a 30+" tent? Perhaps the smaller 12" one would give me more or less control?

Sorry if I am explaining this so poorly.

Thanks!

-Mario

Some I saw:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-30-INCH-LIGHT-TENT-PHOTO-CUBE-SOFTBOX-120cm_W0QQitemZ290245110848QQihZ019QQcategoryZ7900 8QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l126 2

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=150272443068

[MattMoore]

I haver the 30", I have never shot anything big enough to fill the entire cube.

BUT the extra space provided by the 30" allows for more freedom and a lot less chances for the white walls to get into frame. I'm happy I chose the 30" over the 12" first.

For me, it's better to have room to spare than not enough.

Be warned though, the 30" is BIG. If its the same kind that I have, it is fairly easy to fold and store (once you get used to folding it), and the included background materials (4 colors) and light curtain is handy.

My zenfolio gallery (as linked to in my signature) has some shots I took using my light tent and 1 single off camera flash.

Good luck.

[ben_r_]

I have a 24" light tent right now and wish I would have gotten at least a 30". Even when photographing small items youre still going to want to put backgrounds, stands, fancy things to set/lay items on and with all that going on its really nice to have the arm and hand room when rearranging everything!

[m3rdpwr]

Thanks guys, you've been very helpful...

-Mario

[adblink]

helped me too :)

so the light tents on ebay are of decent quality? For the price (as long as u dont get a bunch of people bidding on one) its almost cheaper to just buy one instead of make one

[m3rdpwr]

I bought on ebay from squareperfect.
http://myworld.ebay.com/squareperfect/

I entered a "Best price" for the box I bought.

They wanted $39, I got it for $29 I think.

Haven't got a chance to use it yet, but I got it cheaper than elsewhere...

-Mario

[adblink]

whats the build quality like?

[m3rdpwr]

Having nothing else to compare a product like this to, I'll compare it to what I have.

I own a Lastolite HiLite, Lastolite 20" EZYBalance Disc, and an Impact 30" 5-in-1 type disc.
I also have a no name 20" light disc I got on ebay which is probably comparible quality to the Impact.

The Lastolite being the higher quality and Impact being the lower.

That being said, I would say the 30" light tent I bought is close to the quality of the Impact light disc. Construction wise and quality.

But, that $29 got me a 30" Light tent with a white, black, blue and red backdrops as well as a front cover with slit to poke the lens through.

Again, since this is the only lightbox I have, this is the closest comparison I can make.

Once I get to use it for the first time, I will post some pictures.
However, since I don't have experience in still product photography I obviously wouldn't be able to show its full potential.

I hope this helps...

-Mario

[adblink]

it definitely does mario thanks :)

last question (maybe, lol) what does it FEEL like in your hands? like does it feel flimsy when setup up? is the thickness of the material really thin and could be punctured/torn very easily?

i dont even have a reflector yet so I don't know first hand what the ones u mentioned above feel like haha

[m3rdpwr]

Well, to me it feels flimsy because it doesn't keep its square shape.

It always wants to sorta come out of square.

I guess this is to be expected since it is like having 4 collapsible reflectots stiched together. (The front and bottom I believe are just material.)

I think what I may do when using it is to put a magazine or something inside on the bottom to try to keep it in square. I will than put the backdrop over that...

-Mario