What rig do you use to photograph your guns?

I wish more people would be interested enough to learn a little more about how to take a reasonable picture of their guns. Nothing worse than on camera flash. :puke:
 
photo stuff

That is a heck a good set-up Claven.
I have been photographing my militaria collection (medals, insignia, web gear and uniforms) with mixed results. Some are great shots and some are not. It does not matter if I am using manual focus or auto focus for the militaria. For most of the firearms photos i have been using auto focus set-up either on a tripod or freehand for close-ups.
The camera I am using is a Pentax K100D 6.0 mp with an 18-55mm, 1:3.5-5.6 and a 50-200mm, 1:4-5.6 lens.
The lighting I have been using is daylighter mini spirals in pot lamps. An example of the photos taken, which were all freehand, are in my thread for shotguns as linked below. I have been using the Pentax ACDSee program for editing...it not as involved as Photoshop or element yet it works OK, and I used to it now.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160120&highlight=shotguns
I tried to use some kind of light diffusion but could not come up with something that really worked easily...though I have not tried the appartus you have. I think i may have to look inot that set-up to do the details on the uniforms.
Excellent thread here.
Cheers
 
Rudy H said:
I wish more people would be interested enough to learn a little more about how to take a reasonable picture of their guns. Nothing worse than on camera flash. :puke:
Click to expand...

No argument here! Of course, alot of guys don't want to invest in the setup costs...
 
Alonzo said:
That is a heck a good set-up Claven.
I have been photographing my militaria collection (medals, insignia, web gear and uniforms) with mixed results. Some are great shots and some are not. It does not matter if I am using manual focus or auto focus for the militaria. For most of the firearms photos i have been using auto focus set-up either on a tripod or freehand for close-ups.
The camera I am using is a Pentax K100D 6.0 mp with an 18-55mm, 1:3.5-5.6 and a 50-200mm, 1:4-5.6 lens.
The lighting I have been using is daylighter mini spirals in pot lamps. An example of the photos taken, which were all freehand, are in my thread for shotguns as linked below. I have been using the Pentax ACDSee program for editing...it not as involved as Photoshop or element yet it works OK, and I used to it now.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160120&highlight=shotguns
I tried to use some kind of light diffusion but could not come up with something that really worked easily...though I have not tried the appartus you have. I think i may have to look inot that set-up to do the details on the uniforms.
Excellent thread here.
Cheers
Click to expand...

The problem with fluorescent lighting is that it's not really white, it's green. I know, it doesn't look green, but the camera sees it that way.

If you camera has adjustable white balance, set it for fluorescent light specifically and if you use suplement flash, use a green gel filter on the flash. Your pictures will come out way better!
 
Used to be a Bronica SQ-A, and a couple of Metz CT-90's. The diffuser panels for the Metz work well- ask any wedding/portrait photographer. Had a couple of Bowen strobes, but they were an awful lot to set-up away from the studio. At times, I really miss that 2 1/4" ground glass and magnifier. My body,speed grip, lenses, and film backs cost me a little over 5 large... recently there was a similar set up for sale at Don's Photo in Wpg. for 500 bucks. Must be hard getting 120 film these days. Current camera is a little 8 meg point and shoot... the LCD screen is no comparison to a good ground glass....

Regards,

Doc Sharptail
 
Coyote Ugly said:
Natural sunlight outdoors gives me the best pictures.
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Actually, overcast days with diffuse sunlight are the best outdoor conditions. But those of us who live in the cities can't always bring toys outside to photograph them. Not because of legality or shyness about guns, but because (in my case) I don't want the neighborhood teenagers compiling shopping lists for their next delinquent break-in ;)

It's amazing what suburbia has become. Sad.
 
Although I have a Nikon D200, I use a small Sony T1 for almost everything in the Milsurp Knowledge Library.

Click PIC to Enlarge

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Milsurp Knowledge Library (Click HERE)

Regards,
Badger
 
wow! didn't know i'd run into other photo bugs on CGN :)

i've been shooting with an xpan lately, but a rollei 2.8 tlr and nikon f3hp are my tried tested and true work horses.

shameless plug. if anyone is interested, my lighting kit is for sale.

2x 750 w/sec calumet travelite strobes.
1x softbox
1x umbrella
2x stands
cables and slave.

toronto pickup

edit: i'm just getting into shooting(firearms). i'm looking for a good target rifle and scope in .308. am open to trade offers. i have the above kit priced at $1250.

cheers
 
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For the life of me, I can't seem get the curtain sync on Olympus D-730 to work with my flash slave sensor.
Slave flash is triggered by the slave, but not where it makes a difference to the exposure. Tried slow 1 and slow 2, front and rear curtain syncs.
 
diopter said:
For the life of me, I can't seem get the curtain sync on Olympus D-730 to work with my flash slave sensor.
Slave flash is triggered by the slave, but not where it makes a difference to the exposure. Tried slow 1 and slow 2, front and rear curtain syncs.
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with your camera but how about setting your camera for a slow shutter speed in manual? Maybe you slave is being triggered to late.:confused: Set it for 1/30 sec and see what happens.
 
Gun Nutz who is Photo Nutz :dancingbanana:

At home I just shoot with a Canon PowerShot Pro 1 or my Canon 30D using the camera top flash. I never considered my gun photos as portraits.

If I was to take the guns to work my employees would panic. I'd have to go in on the weekend my people aren't there.

My work setup is set for portrait photography. I use a Canon 1D Mk II N. It's an 8.3 megapixel D-SLR. If I was to photo my long guns, I'd likely use my L-series (pro grade) 16-35, or if it was a revolver or pistol, I'd use a muslin and cover a table then shoot with my L-series 24-70.

Lighting is either from my Aurora 1000w/s flood/flash with 5 foot softboxes, or my Photogenic Flashmaster flash control unit with as many as 4 '8050' flash heads with silver lined reflector umbrellas.

Claven2, some great photography there. I've noticed that this forum is filled with some very creative and artistic photos of guns. I've just never considered taking mine out of the safe and dragging them to work. I guess it's "work" then and takes all the fun out of it.
 
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