Testing my new camera setup

Vlim · 06-22-2016, 10:55 AM

Getting bored waiting for another kidney stone to pass, so I rummaged around the shop to see what was available to make a new gun / camera stand with.

This is just testing the stand itself, photos were made with my smartphone and tidied up a bit.

The goal is to take as clear and clean pictures as possible with a minimal amount of digital processing to get acceptable photos.

The stand can be used with or without a photo tent and this enables me to take sorta decent photos without the need to set up the tent and additional lighting (I'll save that for book and article publications and the like).

Anyway, parts used:
-one length of leftover floor timber.
-a couple of screws.
-the vinyl cover of an old filing folder.
-double sided flooring tape.
-A length of brass from a cleaning rod. (don't use your navy rod).

The rod can be adjusted and should work for anything between .22 and .45-ish.

The C96 is about the biggest pistol the stand can handle.

gunnertwo · 06-22-2016, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the tutorial, I have empathy for you and kidney stones...
Seems like when you get seniority on this planet they come along for the trip and stay too long!

G2

John Sabato · 06-22-2016, 12:15 PM

Gerben, I recommend that you modify your photo stand to be able to flip over so you can photograph the other side of the pistol...

and you can lay the stand on its back to photograph the top of the pistol, eh?

Vlim · 06-22-2016, 12:44 PM

The board behind the stand is not connected to it. So the stand can be flipped quite easily.

I have another stand for the top.

DonVoigt · 06-22-2016, 12:51 PM

You need to figure a way to get more light from the front(camera) side, picts are too dark for much detail, JMHO.

Perhaps another translucent folder with a hole for the lense? Would reflect a little light from another direction.

cirelaw · 06-22-2016, 12:55 PM

In Florida outside taken in the shade works well!

Vlim · 06-22-2016, 01:13 PM

These pictures were taken with a phone without additional lighting. With the proper lighting and a light tent the results will be better. But as I explained the idea was to have a simple setup that works for quick and simple shots as well as with additional lighting and a decent camera.

With the basic setup working I can now experiment further with additional lighting and longer shutter times.

Sergio Natali · 06-22-2016, 02:10 PM

Generally I take pictures in natural light preferably on a day with an overcast sky.
During the day, light has got different shades, for instance these were taken not long ago in the morning.

cirelaw · 06-22-2016, 03:22 PM

I also use our glass table~ 1937 Kreighoff #7932~

Vlim · 06-28-2016, 11:44 AM

Here is another phone photo with the setup above.

Olle · 06-28-2016, 12:09 PM

Now you're getting there!

Here's one thing you may want to try: Prop up a white bed sheet above and around the setup, you can probably rig it with stuff like broom sticks or whatever you have laying around. This is basically a makeshift photo tent that will simulate the "overcast day" light.

Vlim · 06-28-2016, 12:33 PM

I have a good light tent, but it takes time and a lot of effort to set it up and break it down each time I need to take a photo.

But this 'miniature set-up' will help to take quick photos easier, without all the hassle with the light tent and lighting stuff

cirelaw · 06-28-2016, 12:59 PM

and multi background taken in Florida shade and great subjects~

06-22-2016, 10:55 AM	#1
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 1,020 Thanked 3,888 Times in 1,187 Posts	Testing my new camera setup Getting bored waiting for another kidney stone to pass, so I rummaged around the shop to see what was available to make a new gun / camera stand with. This is just testing the stand itself, photos were made with my smartphone and tidied up a bit. The goal is to take as clear and clean pictures as possible with a minimal amount of digital processing to get acceptable photos. The stand can be used with or without a photo tent and this enables me to take sorta decent photos without the need to set up the tent and additional lighting (I'll save that for book and article publications and the like). Anyway, parts used: -one length of leftover floor timber. -a couple of screws. -the vinyl cover of an old filing folder. -double sided flooring tape. -A length of brass from a cleaning rod. (don't use your navy rod). The rod can be adjusted and should work for anything between .22 and .45-ish. The C96 is about the biggest pistol the stand can handle. Attached Thumbnails

06-22-2016, 12:15 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Gerben, I recommend that you modify your photo stand to be able to flip over so you can photograph the other side of the pistol... and you can lay the stand on its back to photograph the top of the pistol, eh? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

06-22-2016, 12:51 PM	#5
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,440 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	You need to figure a way to get more light from the front(camera) side, picts are too dark for much detail, JMHO. Perhaps another translucent folder with a hole for the lense? Would reflect a little light from another direction. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

06-22-2016, 12:55 PM	#6
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	In Florida outside taken in the shade works well! Attached Thumbnails

06-22-2016, 02:10 PM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Generally I take pictures in natural light preferably on a day with an overcast sky. During the day, light has got different shades, for instance these were taken not long ago in the morning. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

06-22-2016, 11:09 AM	#2
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 606 Thanks: 805 Thanked 909 Times in 351 Posts	Thanks for the tutorial, I have empathy for you and kidney stones... Seems like when you get seniority on this planet they come along for the trip and stay too long! G2

06-22-2016, 12:44 PM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 1,020 Thanked 3,888 Times in 1,187 Posts	The board behind the stand is not connected to it. So the stand can be flipped quite easily. I have another stand for the top.

06-22-2016, 01:13 PM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 1,020 Thanked 3,888 Times in 1,187 Posts	These pictures were taken with a phone without additional lighting. With the proper lighting and a light tent the results will be better. But as I explained the idea was to have a simple setup that works for quick and simple shots as well as with additional lighting and a decent camera. With the basic setup working I can now experiment further with additional lighting and longer shutter times.

06-22-2016, 03:22 PM	#9
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	I also use our glass table~ 1937 Kreighoff #7932~ Attached Thumbnails

06-28-2016, 11:44 AM	#10
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 1,020 Thanked 3,888 Times in 1,187 Posts	Here is another phone photo with the setup above. Attached Thumbnails

06-28-2016, 12:09 PM	#11
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Now you're getting there! Here's one thing you may want to try: Prop up a white bed sheet above and around the setup, you can probably rig it with stuff like broom sticks or whatever you have laying around. This is basically a makeshift photo tent that will simulate the "overcast day" light. __________________ Deer Hollow Enterprises, LLC Gun repair and restoration

06-28-2016, 12:33 PM	#12
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 1,020 Thanked 3,888 Times in 1,187 Posts	I have a good light tent, but it takes time and a lot of effort to set it up and break it down each time I need to take a photo. But this 'miniature set-up' will help to take quick photos easier, without all the hassle with the light tent and lighting stuff

06-28-2016, 12:59 PM	#13
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Alternate Lightening and multi background taken in Florida shade and great subjects~ Attached Thumbnails