What is the BEST light source, (bulb, lamp, tube) for product photography?

[Sheepdog Gear]

I know natural sunlight is probably the BEST, but what light source best replicates it? And this is for up close and personal stuff, like detail shots of firearms and such. Bonus points for something that can clamp on to the side of a desk or something with and adjustable neck. Thanks guys.

 

[hoosierdoc]

I made a light box with a magpul PMAG box and three "sunlight" compact fluorescent bulbs. Worked great.

 

[Sheepdog Gear]

I made a light box with a magpul PMAG box and three "sunlight" compact fluorescent bulbs. Worked great.

Ok but what bulbs in particular are you using? Is one brand miles ahead of another?

 

[TheUziButton]

1x1' Bi-Color Litepanels are the way to go. They have variable intensity and color temperature (so you can calibrate precisely to 5600K). With a 1x1’ coverage, you don’t need to use any light modifiers. You can gang several of them on one mount for larger subjects.

 

[Sheepdog Gear]

1x1' Bi-Color Litepanels are the way to go. They have variable intensity and color temperature (so you can calibrate precisely to 5600K). With a 1x1’ coverage, you don’t need to use any light modifiers. You can gang several of them on one mount for larger subjects.

HOLY COW! Ok. Maybe I shouldn't have said "best". How about "high value". Like the best I can get for about 1/20th of that price.

 

[TheUziButton]

YN-E3-RT (qty 1) = $139.00
YN600EX-RT (qty 3) = $660.00
Speedlite Softbox L Bracket Adapter (qty 3) = $71.97
Manfrotto 6' Light Stand (qty 3) = $186.84
NEEWER 23.6"x23.6" softbox W/ grid and speedring (qty 3) = $88.11
Total = 1148.92

 

[TheUziButton]

YN-E3-RT (qty 1) = $139.00
YN600EX-RT (qty 3) = $660.00
Speedlite Softbox L Bracket Adapter (qty 3) = $71.97
Manfrotto 6' Light Stand (qty 3) = $186.84
NEEWER 23.6"x23.6" softbox W/ grid and speedring (qty 3) = $88.11
Total = 1148.92

After you buy all that, get some white foamcore board from hobby lobby and your pics should look like this...

 

[hoosierdoc]

I paid $35 for my setup I think

 

[Sheepdog Gear]

YN-E3-RT (qty 1) = $139.00
YN600EX-RT (qty 3) = $660.00
Speedlite Softbox L Bracket Adapter (qty 3) = $71.97
Manfrotto 6' Light Stand (qty 3) = $186.84
NEEWER 23.6"x23.6" softbox W/ grid and speedring (qty 3) = $88.11
Total = 1148.92

As much as I'd LOVE to have that setup, it just plain isn't possible right now. Your pics look GREAT by the way.

I paid $35 for my setup I think

That fits more my budget. I was thinking less "light box" and more "really nice bulb in a decent desk lamp" type of deal. But if I can't get quality pictures that way, I may just wind up building the box.

 

[TheUziButton]

This one should do the trick...
Dual 45W CFL Light Bulb Continuous Lighting Kit (qty 3) = $134.85

 

[bigretic]

I've built several setups like that, pvc, some fabric from joanne's and clip lights. I usually used a combination of different bulbs to achieve nice results. you definitely do not have to spend a lot and your camera settings are going to be critical in getting good shots of any kind, especially macro. These were all shot with a d90 with the regular kit 105 lens in a pcv light box using the cheapest clamp lights I could find and a mix of regular and cfl bulbs of varying outputs.
-d

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

Very Nice Snake

 

[Sheepdog Gear]

Thanks fellas for the help. Much appreciated.