Lighting for macro.......

[pigtailpat]

I found these continuous tabletop lights here:

http://www.cowboystudio.com/product/c10/p10-15.php

would this be OK lighting for macro objects? I know that continuous lighting can get hot, but if people or live (i.e. non bug) objects are not involved, would these simple lights suffice?

Thanks.

[gjl711]

They are nice lights, but in all honesty a $5.00 clip-on reflector you pick up at the Depot with the right bulb can do just as nicely.

[pigtailpat]

Clip onto what though? All I'm working with is a table, and in a basement situation on top of that - with horrible lighting (you know the in the ceiling fluorescent kind)..... the table is centered in a particular space and not against any walls of any kind.

[gjl711]

Clip onto what though? All I'm working with is a table, and in a basement situation on top of that - with horrible lighting (you know the in the ceiling fluorescent kind)..... the table is centered in a particular space and not against any walls of any kind.
Depends on how much room you have or where your shooting. If I'm shooting on my table I have clipped my lights to the backs of chairs, 2x4s, rolls of tape, just about anything that will hold it up. For larger things I clip to rafters, chair backs, again, just about anything. But these look really nice as well and much less... um.. cobbled together. :) Just offering an alternative. :)

[pigtailpat]

OK thanks for your feedback. Any other comments? Are the lights the right kelvin measurement?

For $45 - it seemed like a reasonably priced unit that isn't too much of a rip off. But if anyone can guide me to a better solution, I would love to hear from you, as I have no experience with macro/closeup shooting, which I know is to be so demanding.

Thanks.

[marcoj70]

About color temperature: as long as ALL your light have the same Kelvin temperature, you have no problems: just set the camera (or, if you're shooting RAW, you can do it afterwords) to the same color temperature as the lights.
Even regular bulbs you find at Depot (maybe not the cheapest, but most of them) have the Kelvin temperature indicated on the box.
About lamps, if you work on a table, you can always get a couple of clamp lamps with adjustable arms (the kind that goes on a drawing table for architects): then you can orient them to any position you may need.

[pigtailpat]

About lamps, if you work on a table, you can always get a couple of clamp lamps with adjustable arms (the kind that goes on a drawing table for architects): then you can orient them to any position you may need.

Ahhhhhhh, to clamp on the table itself. That's a great idea and what I think the poster above was trying to get across to me. I'll take a look also at this option and see what I can come up with. Many thanks for posting and making it clear to me.

[Lester Wareham]

For table top work I prefer natural window light with a simple hand reflector and cable release.