Cheap lighting for very close detail photos

[Albert E]

Maybe this is not the right place to post this,but we all take pictures of our work to show it here at BB,other forums or just for us to keep!!Sometimes we want real close detailed pictures,and we find th lens makes a shade over our subject,sunlight gives harsh shades,and normal flash does not iluminate our subject!!You can buy factory macro flashes or ring flashes for about 400 to 500 Pounds,or imprvise!!Here I improvised ,and for about 15 Pounds I bought three head band LED lanterns and 9 AAA batteries!!I put the thre with one elastic band round the Macro lens of my Olympus E330,and tested it!!I will refine the system,but it works fine as is!! Hereby a couple of pictures of the contaption,and a couple of pictures of a damascus blade,and a knife mechanism,greased with lithium grease(visible,as well as button release!!And imperfections too!!)
Maybe someone can use the idea!!Thanks for your time!!
Regards:Albert









Pictures of the lighting system on the E330 taken wit Olympus E3 and 14/54 f2.8 Olympus,and flip up flash


A model loco gear!!

[stevesteve]

Nicely done Albert,
I have used one of the identical torches here in the UK but hadn't thought of mounting them on the camera. My digital cam is a compact type but a board underneath screwed into the tripod bush could hold two lights... hmmm...
Cheers,
Steve

[beachcaster]

great idea Albert
Will give that a try

regards

Barry

[cybertrix]

Great idea and nice photos

[Albert E]

Thanks Steve,Barry,and Cybertrix!!,there are some commercial lights that have a certain look like this with 36 LEDS,maybe two of these with 12 each could be lacking a bit unless for very short distance.The thing I like is the lack of shaded areas!!
Regards!!Good luck!!
Albert

[Diego Attwell]

thatīs a very good idea ! thank you Albert.

[Albert E]

Glad it might help someone!!Thanks Diego!!Un abrazo!!
Albert

[Motoon]

Albert, very inventive. Thanks for another good hint. I'll try that out for sure

[TOM STRATTON]

Albert,
Appreciate the tip.I am not much on photos or computer but want to learn to post my pics.Thanks for the info,I am reading up on photography and hope to be able to take a decent pic before long.

[jabussard]

very nice work Albert, the photos have turned out great!

[Albert E]

Thanks Motoon,Tom,and James !!Glad if it can help someone!!There is a round LED lamp at a local store,also very cheap that might make a great ring light(like the ones the dentists use)but the central hole is a bit small for my thick lenses,but I might try one with my small pocket size Sony!!If it works I will show it!!
Have fun !!
Regards:Albert

[Albert E]

I have bought one more headband torch,cut a cover from a give away photo album I had around(cardboard)made a hole,stuck a 52mm filter screw to attach it to the macro lens,stuck the four LED torches on the four corners!!Now those swivel in and out from staight forward to inwards towards the lens!!Full control!!Now I have 56 LEDs ilumination!!
Here just a quick try of the new improved "contraption"!!!







Last picture is part of the controls on the E3 Olympus,taken with new lights on the E330!!

I will put a couple more pictures later!!
Regards:
Albert

[jhobson]

aewsome

[Mariusle]

brilliant. 'nuff said.

[Albert E]

Thanks JHobson,and Mariusle!!! Here go some pictures with the four lamps!!











Just test pictures,but I think this contraption will work quite well!!
Regards:
Albert