Three Sisters Forge
Forum Owner-Moderator
I got a light box for Christmas. Nikon F50. Any hints on settings to use ? Not having much luck.
Jim
Jim
Electronic Camera settings
- Thread starter Three Sisters Forge
- Start date
EdCaffreyMS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
I'm certainly not the best photographer, and only know that it generally takes me about 5-6 photos per knife to get one that I like. What I've found is that settings tend to be different for each knife and/or background. Often I will use the "auto" setting on the camera, and will adjust background and lighting until it looks good to me.
It always seems that I have to do some minor touchup with software, no matter how well I thought the image came out. I try to keep the touchups to a minimum because I've seen far too many images, then seen the knife in person...and they looked nothing alike.
It always seems that I have to do some minor touchup with software, no matter how well I thought the image came out. I try to keep the touchups to a minimum because I've seen far too many images, then seen the knife in person...and they looked nothing alike.
Mike Carter
Well-Known Member
You said you are not having much luck. Can you post a picture and maybe we can tell you what's going on. The Nikon F50 is a film camera isn't it? A lot also depends on what lens you have.
One of the keys is lots of good lighting balanced for daylight. If you are using a lightbox, try it outside. A shaded area or a overcast day generally works best. If the camera is trying to compensate for dim lighting you will get grainy pictures.
I prefer to use manual settings of around 1/125 shutter speed, f/7 iris and ISO set at 64 or 100. I use a zoom lens but usually shoot at around 50mm-70mm. I adjust the lighting to suit the shot rather than having the camera adjust to the lighting.
One of the keys is lots of good lighting balanced for daylight. If you are using a lightbox, try it outside. A shaded area or a overcast day generally works best. If the camera is trying to compensate for dim lighting you will get grainy pictures.
I prefer to use manual settings of around 1/125 shutter speed, f/7 iris and ISO set at 64 or 100. I use a zoom lens but usually shoot at around 50mm-70mm. I adjust the lighting to suit the shot rather than having the camera adjust to the lighting.
Rusty McDonald
KNIFE MAKER
The only thing I do is turn off the flash.
Rusty McDonald
KNIFE MAKER
John T Wylie Jr.
Rockstar and ACE vBulletin troubleshooter
Not familiar with the F50 , which mode are you shooting in ?
You mentioned a light box , but what about the lights ? Key is to not only getting light , but getting the right light ( temperature wise ) , if you shoot in RAW you can adjust your white balance after the shot ( post production ) , you can do adjust it while shooting in jpeg as well after the shot , just not as well.
with a light box , you should not be using the flash on camera .
An image of what you have so far would go a long way towards suggesting what to change / adjust.
You mentioned a light box , but what about the lights ? Key is to not only getting light , but getting the right light ( temperature wise ) , if you shoot in RAW you can adjust your white balance after the shot ( post production ) , you can do adjust it while shooting in jpeg as well after the shot , just not as well.
with a light box , you should not be using the flash on camera .
An image of what you have so far would go a long way towards suggesting what to change / adjust.
PatrickKnives
Active Member
I turn off the flash, set to macro (allows a closer focus) set sharpness to high set the light manually to match the type, and manual set the white balance.
Two things I think help me, keep the background similar in light reflection as the knife, I am now using a blue background and it helps the exposure be correct on the knife. You can use others just make sure its not real dark or real light.
I have 3 lights, even with the diffusers i dont have any light shine direct, they all point to the side or edge of the box.
One more thing use a tripod or something to steady the camera/
good luck
Two things I think help me, keep the background similar in light reflection as the knife, I am now using a blue background and it helps the exposure be correct on the knife. You can use others just make sure its not real dark or real light.
I have 3 lights, even with the diffusers i dont have any light shine direct, they all point to the side or edge of the box.
One more thing use a tripod or something to steady the camera/
good luck