my table top camera rig

This is my rig for photographing on a desk top

Tripod Manfrotto 055XPROP
Head Manfrotto 322RC2
Lens Tamron 90mm macro 1:1 ratio
camera Nikon D800
Light CN-160
remote YONGNU MC-36B.
light extn lifting nuts 3 off camera top

Why this setup?
Well first of all the tripod obviously can be set at a convenient height and the head also is multi angle. The lens although a fixed 90 mm lens it can be manually or auto focused.
Lighting this unit can be on or or off camera for best results.

Ok why not just use the camera flash? good question.

The problem with using a camera flash or even a remote
flashgun is the amount of light is unknown unless you have a light meter to record it ( I have a SeKonic flashmate L-308s which records flash). However that is ok for portraits and such like but not for closeup work where a steady light is needed.

Also the remote can prevent camera shake .
I would prefer to use my cordless one, Phottix WXD-188, need me to get more AAA batteries now on ordered.

So that is it. If anyone has any questions I will do my best to answer them

Re: my table top camera rig

Nice set up.

What do you photograph with it?

Re: my table top camera rig

Impressive. I've been looking at many large format printers lately with a view to forming a business based around it. I fancy a change from websites and computers. Had experience with any?

Re: my table top camera rig

Sometimes object can't be inspected properly with the naked eye, Photographing it and getting onto a computer screen allows one to examine in better detail

For example this taken on a window but using same principle

There is no way could I at least see the details to this degree without using the method above.

One thing i like doing as another member does is to restore old picture by reproducing a copy .

This is one of my parents that I did some time ago for personal reasons

It took me 5 hours to extract the colours ,but without having a rock steady camera on the original it would have been impossible. If you get into macro photography it is another world which is open to anyone.


As a photographer yourself trying to get the best shot possible be it landscape -buildings -people or whatever keeping a camera steady is the prime importance.

So when trying to get small objects photographed this is how I do it, others might do something different.

At the moment my neighbour has seen my work and has asked if I can do anything with some old photo of his late parents.
I said to him taken them out of the glass fronted frames and i will have a go , no promises.
So i have a choice of scanning them ( not had much success doing that) or photographing them, either way the originals wont get damaged. If I photograph then I always work on a second copy already having been put on the computer.
I also never try and do it all in one go. What I do is a certain amount of editing then save before going any further. That way if I slip up I don't have to start from scratch again

Re: my table top camera rig

No sorry but if your thinking of large format it depend on what size format and what you want to produce.

Another consideration is do you want to print you own work only or clients as well.
I recently had a photo made into a canvas about 27"x37" cost around £90. Most photo do in shops or only only work in Jpeg and I had to go to a specialist who reprints from RAW which gives better detail.

One of the things that worries me about others printing my work (I do my own) they don't know the actual colours where the photo was taken. Cameras can easily produce the wrong colour if only using the wrong setting. If you reproduce the same the blame could be down to the printer person even if this is not the case.

Ok so you decided to go into printing ,there are all the outlay costs to start with for equipment -inks paper or canvas let alone normal business overheads. If even as a paying hobby it will be expensive as is everthing in photography.
Ok you decide to go ahead which large format printer- what types of paper to use -which inks again -what drying times if any to mention just some.

Re: my table top camera rig

Thanks for the info - I do a fair bit of macro lens work myself during the Summer.

Re: my table top camera rig

Just playing with the idea at the moment. Thinking of creating wall hangings and so on - nothing requiring elaborate photography techniques. But I tend to think it would lead to a different lifestyle as in moving towards an interest in what is around me as to what resides on a computer or on the internet.

Re: my table top camera rig

I used to print and mount my photos for sale - but these days online labs are so cheap that I can't buy good ink and paper for the price I can get large prints done and delivered for.

Re: my table top camera rig

Yes. This is probably the most sensible approach and one I will use to test the waters. After all if you can't sell anything then what is the point of forking out for a whopping big printer?

Re: my table top camera rig

Indeed - although the online price does suddenly grow once you go above 18x12" - the max size off the Fuji Fronitiers that most online labs use.