I'm Looking For A New Light Box For Gemstone Photography

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

Hi Everyone:

I'm looking to replace my current light box. While it has served me fine, it is a little to one dimensional, as it only has one set of lights. It cannot duplicate diffused sunlight, as I have to go outdoors for that, & it gets quite cold in the winter here in Iowa. I take most my videos outside, & a good number of photos. I'm tired of freezing my butt off. I'd also like LED, incandescent, & fluorescent, basically normal indoor light viewing sources. A control on lighting brightness. I know this may all not be possible in one light box, especially on a budget of $400.00 to $700.00. But, if any of you have suggestions for me, I'd sure appreciate it!

Thanks!

Jim McCormick...aka...Elvis Prasiolite

[wilsonintexas]

I remember a few posts on light boxes it may be worth a search on light boxes or gem photogrophy

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I've googled them, but really didn't see what I wanted. I'll have to research more.

[wilsonintexas]

There is a search option in the upper section of this forum that searches this forum. sorry if that sounds harsh, it is NOT intended to come across that way.

try these
this was started by the forum admin and has some good links

https://www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/ph ... aphy+setup

this one talks about a specific setup

https://www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/ph ... aphy+setup

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

No problem.

Yes, I looked there too.

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

I've decided to buy this box. Hopefully it is what I need. Looking forward to getting it!

https://www.gesswein.com/p-12860-gesswe ... gOEALw_wcB

[ChicagoDave]

Please be sure to update us on how you like the new setup!

[Barbra Voltaire, FGG]

Yes...with some pics, please!

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

I LOVE it! I'll post some pics & video the next couple of days. The LED really shows the dispersion!

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

Ok, here are four videos of two Spinels. We all know, dispersion can be a hard thing to capture, but no more with this new light box! The LED lights work great. Plus the color of the stones are spot on. I use both the LED & fluorescent lights in this box for these videos. Stones look like their sitting in a jewelry store lights in the box.

3.78 ct. Bluish violet Spinel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp88ZaeBmQA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlD7r74jJ7E

3.91 ct Reddish Purple Spinel - This stone I could never get right, hundreds of pics, dozens of videos, & the color was never right. No more with the new light box!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0qxrhszTRU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlKsjbpTiX0

Hope you enjoy the videos!

[Barbra Voltaire, FGG]

Incredible!
It looks like they were produced at Industrial Light and Magic!

Is it possible with your camera to get the gems close to full frame?

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

Still working on finding the sweet spot for pictures, but here is two. Note dispersion showing.

3.15 ct purple Mozambique Rhodolite.

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

2.84 ct greenish blue Spinel.

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

Btw, the camera I'm using is a modest SX160 IS Cannon. I bought it for $249.00 in 2014. I use auto mode, on all photos & videos.

[ELVIS PRASIOLITE]

As far as videos full frame, I suppose if I put the camera up close enough, but that would block the light & make the facets reflect the black color of the camera, plus the stone would probably go out of focus. Maybe with a more expensive camera, with better Macro zoom. I can go up to 6x, before the pictures & video go out of focus with this camera.