Post your Smith Victor ImageMaker photos

[Saxi]

I am waiting for my Smith Victor ImageMaker tent to come in, and I would love to see some photos from anyone who has one and has used it a lot. I really loved the photos in the DIY thread that got so much attention.

Anyone have anything good or bad to say about this tent?
http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Victor-IMAGEMAKER-ImageMaker-Light/dp/B000E6W24W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234421306&sr=1-1

[Saxi]

No one uses this tent, or just no good images?
I hope I picked a good tent, I am not looking at doing product shots for enterprise businesses, but I want to get some really good results without having to throw something together myself.

[TMR Design]

I don't know that no one is using it but I haven't seen any threads or any chat about it. Have you tried searching to see if any threads or posts come up?

[Saxi]

I don't know that no one is using it but I haven't seen any threads or any chat about it. Have you tried searching to see if any threads or posts come up?

Yes, very few and none of them posting pictures. I think I found 2 threads where it was even mentioned. Local photographer store said they were popular though and it has fairly good feeback on Amazon. I just got mine today but still waiting for another part for my tripod (head) and my father is borrowing my 50D right now. But I may use my $17 walmart tripod and my Rebel XTi to take some pictures with it.

[Saxi]

So far I am not really impressed with this kit. The lights don't seem to provide enough lighting. They are 26W CFL which I believe is roughly 100W normal lighting. All the pictures I have taken so far are not impressive at all. And nothing like the quality of the images in the DIY light box thread.

[DisrupTer911]

I have one, I use it for taking pictures of my dads resin models he puts together.

works very well actually

[Saxi]

I have one, I use it for taking pictures of my dads resin models he puts together.

works very well actually

Have any tips or suggestions?

[TMR Design]

The image posted is underexposed. I don't know that you can begin to judge the gear until you see a properly exposed image.

[dpds68]

This thread should help you out

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524

[Saxi]

This thread should help you out

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524

I read a lot of that thread and that's what sparked me getting a light box, I've been waiting one to take some pictures of my sons toys, but the pictures they got in that thread are many times better than what I have been seeing.

[dpds68]

Have you done a Custom White Balance .

[Saxi]

Have you done a Custom White Balance .

No, but I adjusted it after the fact. I was planning on doing it the next time I shoot, but I don't think the white balance was my big problem.

[TMR Design]

Can you take a shot with the correct exposure? That shot is clearly underexposed and that is what is making it look lifeless and fairly unusable. It would seem that if you could get a shot with proper exposure you may like the device. Since you're shooting static objects you should be able to do this. No?

[Saxi]

Can you take a shot with the correct exposure? That shot is clearly underexposed and that is what is making it look lifeless and fairly unusable. It would seem that if you could get a shot with proper exposure you may like the device. Since you're shooting static objects you should be able to do this. No?

I'm sorry, I thought I sent it up already.
Here is a new one with good exposure.

[Saxi]

This last image was exposed based on ambient reading with my L-358 which gave me 1/60 ISO 100 and 4.1, so I went with 1/60 4.0 ISO100

[DisrupTer911]

are you using the included lights with bulbs?

I find that the lamp covers kill a lot of output, so when I shoot my dads models, I place the lights at teh corners angled in.

I shoot about f/11 and ISO100 to get max detail in them down to 1/15 or less.
on tripod w/ shutter release.

sometimes an exposure of a second or more is necessary to get a proper exposure.

I'm going to try out the box with my speedlights next to see if I can get better results.
but as of now, my current method provides some great shots of his models

[Saxi]

I am using the stock lights, all I can get is f/4 1/60 at ISO100. I am using the dishes on it.

[AWDTerror]

i use a bathtub

[FZ1dave]

Remove the stuffed animal and take the same photo. Use that image to set a custom WB.

Try it out and see what you get.

[Saxi]

i use a bathtub

LOL, I got a pink bathtub so that won't work.

(It came with the house!!) Man, now I have to replace this bathroom finally!

[DisrupTer911]

I am using the stock lights, all I can get is f/4 1/60 at ISO100. I am using the dishes on it.

Like I said, I use mine with tripod, remote release, and mirror lockup to get the most detail out of ISO100 f/11 and exposures into a second or more.

[Saxi]

Like I said, I use mine with tripod, remote release, and mirror lockup to get the most detail out of ISO100 f/11 and exposures into a second or more.

I will try a longer exposure, I am using a tripod.

I am curious, can you try a 1/60 @ ISO100 and see what you get for aperture, do you have an incident meter?

[Saxi]

This shot was taken at 1 second exposure f/22 @ ISO100 on a Tripod with 2 second shutter delay. (Exposure was derived from L-358 ambient reading for 1 second shutter)

[DisrupTer911]

see, much better results when trying to handhold into that box. the included lights just aren't bright enough.
the bulbs are only 26w. you could probably put in higher wattage fluorescents but you might run the risk of burning yourself or melting the wiring

[Saxi]

It seems like they are just not bright enough and don't fully expose the box. This seems to be a tad blown out though.

[Saxi]

are you using the included lights with bulbs?

I find that the lamp covers kill a lot of output, so when I shoot my dads models, I place the lights at teh corners angled in.

I shoot about f/11 and ISO100 to get max detail in them down to 1/15 or less.
on tripod w/ shutter release.

sometimes an exposure of a second or more is necessary to get a proper exposure.

I'm going to try out the box with my speedlights next to see if I can get better results.
but as of now, my current method provides some great shots of his models

Are you shooting with lamp covers off?