Do you recommend a certain type of camera to use with the Cubelite system?
No, there isn’t any one particular camera that we recommend. The truth is that the Cubelite works with pretty much any camera although the results will very depending on the quality of the camera you use. To ensure the best results there are a few key features to look for on a camera:
- Manual or programme mode setting
- A white balance setting for Tungsten (to match our light)
- An exposure compensation setting (to brighten or darken the shot)
- An optical zoom lens.
How many Pixels do I need on my Camera?
This very much depends on what you are using your images for. For Internet use you only need low resolution images whereas, when printing a brochure you will need much higher resolution images. We would advise that you buy a camera with the highest number of pixels you can afford. It's much easier to scale an image down than scale an image up. We use a 5 million pixel camera which is more than adequate for website images and gives us an image around 16cm x 21cm at print resolution (300 dpi).
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How can I work out the correct size Cubelite to buy?
There’s no easy way to do this as products vary in shape and size so much. What we do advise our customers to consider is the overall dimensions of their tallest, widest and deepest product(s). This will certainly help point you in the right direction. It's also worth considering whether you will ever want to photograph a group of products in the same shot. This will have an impact on your maximum dimensions.
With each of the Cubelite’s there is a working area that gives the best results. For instance, although it might just fit in, you could not photograph a 3ft x 3ft x 3ft box in a 3ft Cubelite. As a rule of thumb deduct 12 inches from each dimension of the Cubelite to give you a safe working area. So, in a 3ft Cubelite you would be reasonably safe photography products up to 24 inches tall, wide or deep. Bigger objects would be possible depending on their overall shape.
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What is different about your 3ft Cubelite with a removable back and base?
In addition to the standard specification of our 3ft cubelite kit, this version has a removable back and base. The removable base is particularly useful if you want to photograph a small section of a much larger product that wouldn’t fit inside the Cubelite, i.e: engine/machinery parts. Simply place the cubelite over the top of the subject and photograph that section only.
This feature is also useful for photographing subjects like wild flowers that are planted in the ground. In this context the removable back also allows you to retain the background of it's normal environment if required.
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What do I get in my Cubelite kit?
In the 2ft, 3ft and 4ft kits you get:
1 x White Cubelite with blue rim
1 x Tungsten light
1 x 500w tungsten bulb
1 x Telescopic light stand
1 x Adjustable Silver/white reflector
1 x White vinyl background sheet
1 x Carry case for the Cubelite
1 x Cardboard storage case
In the 5ft and 6ft kits you get:
1 x White Cubelite with blue rim
4 x Tungsten lights
4 x 500w tungsten bulbs
4 x Telescopic light stands
1 x Roll of white background paper
1 x Carry case for the Cubelite
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How do you send the Cubelite to me?
Each kit is shipped directly to you via UPS using their 'standard' service, which is normally a next day delivery. The cost of shipping will vary depending on which kit you purchase. Our online shop or sales advisors will inform you of this cost when you place an order. You may also if you wish, arrange your own courier to collect the goods on your behalf.
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Why is there no silver reflector with the larger Cubelite kits?
In the smaller Cubelite’s the reflector acts as a second light by bouncing the light from one side of the Cubelite, back into the subject being photographed, from the other side. Because the distance between the light source and the reflector is relatively short (either 2ft, 3ft or 4ft) this works successfully. The larger Cubelite’s are 5ft and 6ft 6inches wide and the light/reflector combination does not work as effectively so we supply lights for both sides instead.
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Can I use different coloured backgrounds?
Yes. All the kits come with a white background, but we also sell a range of 31 different coloured paper backgrounds. You can also use other materials such as fabric, wood, slate, metal etc. The choice is yours. You can theme the inside of your Cubelite how you wish.
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Can I use the Cubelite to photograph hanging products?
Yes you can. Our existing customers attach their products to fishing wire then thread it through the top of the Cubelite with a needle and then attach it to something above that can take the weight.
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Where can I get spare bulbs for the light?
The bulbs are available from any large Photographic retailer. Ask for a 500 watt tungsten bulb.
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Why do all the images I have taken have a yellow/orange cast on them?
You need to alter the white balance settings on your camera. This tells the camera what lighting conditions you are working in. You should have a tungsten setting in your white balance menu, if so select this one. The camera will then recognise the tungsten light supplied as part of the Cubelite kit and compensate for the colour cast, ensuring the whites are white, not yellow.
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I cannot get the lamp to fit on the telescopic stand?
Make sure you have removed the black protective moulding from the top of the stand. This will reveal the brass fitting.
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Why is the background on my photographs grey and not white?
You need to alter the exposure compensation setting on your camera to brighten up the image.
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- Do you recommend a certain type of camera to use with the Cubelite system?
- How many Pixels do I need on my Camera?
- How can I work out the correct size Cubelite to buy?
- What is different about your 3ft Cubelite with a removable back and base?
- What do I get in my Cubelite kit?
- How do you send the Cubelite to me?
- Why is there no silver reflector with the larger Cubelite kits?
- Can I use different coloured backgrounds?
- Can I use the Cubelite to photograph hanging products?
- Where can I get spare bulbs for the light?
- Why do all the images I have taken have a yellow/orange cast on them?
- I cannot get the lamp to fit on the telescopic stand?
- Why is the background on my photographs grey and not white?
FAQ's
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