Table top photography--What to buy????

They work great for smaller foam core and cardboard flags, reflectors etc. when shooting on a table top setup. Lead base provides firm footing. Only risk is sticking your hand with the prongs.

dmward wrote in post #16603014
They work great for smaller foam core and cardboard flags, reflectors etc. when shooting on a table top setup. Lead base provides firm footing. Only risk is sticking your hand with the prongs.

Been there, done that as well. Basically, don't bother trying it for yourself. Less painful than the spikes Manfrotto make for holding foamcore though.
Here's something I cobbled together to place a card / foamcore reflector / flag exactly where I want it. Clamps onto table edges, light stands or even dining chairs.

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a light box or what it's called is handy, I have one from cowboy studios, flips open to give you a large white fabric square with one side open. White and black foamcore from the office supply store, black plexiglass for a shiny surface (or clear with black paper underneath) and I use LED tabletop lamps with bendable necks for lights more often than my flashes. White papertowels or baby socks to soften the light even more, bounce off foam core etc. I got some foam core that's made for presentations, precut in a 1/4, 1/2, 1/4 thing so you fold it open and it stands. Black foam core as flags or alternate black background. Easy to setup, all folds down to flat storage.

Also use natural light, set up close to a window that gets indirect light.

ETA: what I have might be called a tabletop studio, basically 4 sides that spring open like a car sunshade, front is open. Also comes with different color backdrops and a front with just a slit to stick your lens through, though I never found a need for that part.

David: What modifier is that in your BTS image? I've seen it somewhere before (I think) but can't place it.

Whoa! Did anyone else see...

tetrode wrote in post #16605056
David: What modifier is that in your BTS image? I've seen it somewhere before (I think) but can't place it.

We do have furry critters in the backyard but they're coyotes not gorillas.

As for the modifier, its the new F Stoppers Flash Disc. Rand was nice enough to send me one of his to test.

And they're dry roasted peanuts rather than cashews.

dmward wrote in post #16605483
We do have furry critters in the backyard but they're coyotes not gorillas.

As for the modifier, its the new F Stoppers Flash Disc. Rand was nice enough to send me one of his to test.

And they're dry roasted peanuts rather than cashews.

Thanks, David. I thought it was the F Stoppers doodad but couldn't find it on their site. Whadya think? Any good?

And, I'm disappointed. I always had you pegged as a cashews man. Filberts at least.

tetrode wrote in post #16605511
Thanks, David. I thought it was the F Stoppers doodad but couldn't find it on their site. Whadya think? Any good?

I like it. Quick and easy to get onto the speedlite. Offers a reasonable amount of softness. Size still matters.

If I had been them, I'd have made it 50% larger in diameter. Wouldn't have changed much relative to ease of use etc. and been just that much bigger for softness.

Its not on their site because they sold out the first production run quickly. Rand was one of the lucky group. They claim more are coming, just not sure when.

tetrode wrote in post #16605511
And, I'm disappointed. I always had you pegged as a cashews man. Filberts at least.

Cashews are my favorites but for some reason I tend to get the dry roasted peanuts. Must be the desire to keep all the big money for photo gadgets.

I don't mean to hijack the thread BUT, what holds that Flash Disc on the flash head? The F/Stoppers video doesn't say.

And, I knew I was right! You are a cashews man.

Get a Lazy Susan, for buttery smooth rotational view at all angles.

emvy wrote in post #16605589
Get a Lazy Susan, for buttery smooth rotational view at all angles.

And easier access to the dry-roasted peanuts.

tetrode wrote in post #16605560
I don't mean to hijack the thread BUT, what holds that Flash Disc on the flash head? The F/Stoppers video doesn't say.

And, I knew I was right! You are a cashews man.

The flash disc is held on the flash head by a piece of elatic that is about 4 inches wide.
It is sown to the back (reflective) panel and is snug but not excessively so. They were also thoughtful enough to put a tab on to help pull it over the flash head.

Great resource...

http://www.prophotolif​e.com/video-library/

dmward wrote in post #16606434
The flash disc is held on the flash head by a piece of elatic that is about 4 inches wide.
It is sown to the back (reflective) panel and is snug but not excessively so. They were also thoughtful enough to put a tab on to help pull it over the flash head.

That's what I suspected. The added tab suggests the thing was designed by a photographer/user rather than by an engineer. Thanks for the info, David.