Cheap and cheerful Light Tent setup

[aserota]

Hi all,

I'm looking to start taking 'more professional' product images for using when selling items on eBay and alike. I've got an array of lenses, tripod and a Canon 40D so the imagery is covered; but I currently don't own any studio lighting or backdrops. I'm only going to be taking images of items around 10cm, so was after a 40-50cm cube. I've seen two setups on eBay that look like they will be ideal and wondered if anyone had any opinions on them:

£27 Option (would use own tripod)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORTABLE-...Photography_Lighting_Kits&hash=item4d12b4c35a

£63 Larger Option (would use own tripod)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Sparkle...220870246363?Item=220870246363#ht_2009wt_1344

I'll be setting the box up either in a horse stable (without the horse) or a spare room, if that makes a difference?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Basically a light tent is a light tent is a light tent. They used to be a very popular selling item on Ebay a few years ago, when sellers could get them for £2 and sell them for £30, they are less popular now that their cost price has increased.

But the fact remains, they are for buying in bulk and selling on Ebay, they aren't for actual use...

 

[aserota]

Basically a light tent is a light tent is a light tent. They used to be a very popular selling item on Ebay a few years ago, when sellers could get them for £2 and sell them for £30, they are less popular now that their cost price has increased.

But the fact remains, they are for buying in bulk and selling on Ebay, they aren't for actual use...

So if I want to get one and these aren't for using; what should I go for and where should I get it from?

 

[Garry Edwards]

A single flash head with softbox, a bit of white paper for a background and a couple of bits of white paper of silver foil as reflectors would do the job much better.

Buy the flash head from us, or from anyone else. Even the crappy Ebay flash heads would do a much better job than the light tent.

 

[Steve T]

Basically a light tent is a light tent is a light tent. They used to be a very popular selling item on Ebay a few years ago, when sellers could get them for £2 and sell them for £30, they are less popular now that their cost price has increased.

But the fact remains, they are for buying in bulk and selling on Ebay, they aren't for actual use...

A couple of weeks ago I actually bought a 50cm light tent out of curiosity, as after all the buggering around I went through learning to light my products, a light tent was probably the only bit of kit I hadn't tried to use. What complete and utter piece of crap a light tent is! listen to Garry mate.
Google 'product photography' there are shedloads of tutorials and videos out there on how to....
Light tents are the photography equivalent of crotchless chest waders.