Reddit reviews Bayco SL-300 8.5 Inch Clamp Light with Aluminum Reflector

The cheaper route and the best temporary setup would be 55 watt CFL bulbs in a work lamp reflector (they label cfls on equivalent to incandescent bulbs and actual watts used just pay attention to the actual watts used). I use this setup for my succulents and they work great but they don't have enough power for fruiting or flowering plants they are great for the growing stages. The CFLs need to be very close to the plants but far enough where the light doesn't burn them and you need multiple bulbs or one of these kind of florescent lights if you need to cover a lot of area. The 55 watt bulbs can cover about a 1.5'X1.5' area if they are smaller plants.

You can get the big 55 watt bulbs and the reflectors at Walmart. The smaller 25 watt cfls work great too but they need to be very close like 2 inches away close and you need multiples you can fit 4 of them on a power strip with adapters.

The LEDs cost a lot more even the smaller ones but you can find them here for pretty cheap they are the most power efficient option out of the two but they don't come cheap. You get what you pay for when it comes to grow lights.

Edit: they also sell 6500k 55 watt CFLs that have a bit better color for growing.

I would suggest never taking photos in full sunlight. It can really change how the color is perceived.

I paint in oils and acrylic, and because I’m cheap I photograph my own work. There’s a technique in photographing indoors, but I prefer to take photos outside on a cloudy day out of direct light. This lessens the chance of having hot spots, and I’ll still probably have to color correct in photoshop as even in that light the sun can photograph the work as too warm or too cool depending on the time of year.

I’m not sure if you’re photographing 2d or 3d work, but the rules are different for each. You could jury-rigg a light diffuser. You can get a couple of these (you may be able to find something like this cheaper at a local hardware store or Walmart), put in a daylight bulb, look for one that’s not warm or cool. You want the light to be in the middle of the spectrum, some hardware stores have lightbulb samples. Then to diffuse the light put white paper or cloth between the bulb and your object. Make sure if your bulb gets hot that it’s not close enough to burn your diffuser. I suggest vellum, or plain white paper, or a very thin white sheet. You are just looking to make the shadow less harsh, and you want two lights because you want the light on either side of your object. For the background use something neutral. If your work is three dimensional you’ll want to curve the background. This video has instructions https://youtu.be/Vz-3hKfgs5I

It’s up to you to represent your work accurately to the buyer. If you keep getting this complaint I would suggest you change how you photograph your work, and not blame the customer for not reading your disclaimer. Besides you could be losing sales because potential customers won’t buy because they can’t be sure of what they’re getting.

Good luck.

I have one like that on some plants that aren't succulents and it's going really well. I just stuck some succulents under it too so we'll see how that goes. However, I have most of my succulents under this. It's super cheap, you just need a CFL lightbulb that has a "daylight" color (between 5000k-6500k) and is the equivalent of a 75 or higher watt bulb. Something like this (this is a four pack). You could get two of the one I use, plus light bulbs, for less than the one you linked too. And the clasp on the one I linked to is much stronger and bigger than on the LED light, so it's easier to attach in more places.

Edit to add that the clamp lamp with the reflector has a cord and an on-off switch. The picture makes it look like it's just a reflector and that you need to buy your own cord for the lightbulb.

The specs say the fuse is n it is rated to 100 Watts, I'm pretty sure two bulbs will be fine. I wouldn't buy it though. The following link has what I use and works great and is cheaper :). http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007RKKEHA/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1463168473&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=clamp+light&dpPl=1&dpID=41GDTn2U52L&ref=plSrch

Well, If filmmaking and video is your goal with these cameras I wouldn't recommend either.

If you're just starting and serious about video production here's a pretty effective starter kit that's just a tad over your $400 budget.

[Camera: Canon Vixia HF R400] (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-R400-Advanced-Camcorder/dp/B00AWZFJ22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395594961&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+vixia+hf+r400)
This is a decent starter camera. It's got a decent range of focal lengths, optical stabilization, microphone input, progressive frame-rates and most of all designed with video in mind. You'll need a SD Card

I noticed the cameras you picked resembles DSLRs but keep in mind that these in particular are not and with fixed lenses which defeats the purpose of having DSLR for video. Trust me, learn how to be effective with a camcorder first! Then, when your skill requires more artistic control you can upgrade.

Audio:
[Microphone:] (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR-6550-Condenser-Shotgun-Microphone/dp/B002GYPS3M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395595673&sr=8-1&keywords=shotgun+microphone)
Having clean audio is probably the most important part filmmaking! The key is to get the mic as close to your subject as possible and away from your camera. You'll need a cable. If you need to mount it to your camera use this [bracket.] (http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Photography-Bracket-Standard-Mounts/dp/B005Z4ROIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395595189&sr=8-1&keywords=flash+bracket) This bracket will also help keep the camera stabilized when you go handheld.

Keep in mind this won't deliver perfect audio but it will be a MASSIVE improvement to the on board microphone and learning how to record with decent audio in mind is your first step into becoming a pro.

[Lighting:] (http://www.amazon.com/Bayco-SL-300-Clamp-Aluminum-Reflector/dp/B007RKKEHA/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1395595354&sr=8-17&keywords=can+lights)
Lighting is EXTREMELY important. A couple of these can lights will not only help with your image quality but put in you in the right direction for learning how to properly light your scene. You could start with daylight equivalent CFL bulbs.

[Tripod:] (http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-60-Inch-Lightweight-Tripod-Bag/dp/B005KP473Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395595413&sr=8-3&keywords=tripod)
You NEED a tripod. This one is cheap and cheerful. Looping the ends of a couple rubber brands around the pan handle and the other end around your finger will help deliver some smoother pans!

Total: $425/£258

Some things to keep in mind:

• These are far from pro tools but if all used in conjuncture you can deliver a much more effective production than just merely using a camera on a tripod.
  
  
• Build a crew of friends. Although you can "one man band" it I don't recommend it because one of coolest things about film is that it's almost always a group effort towards an artistic goal!
  
  
• Most importantly, the equipment are just tools. They don't tell the story; you do! Your film/video is only as powerful as the story you want to tell!
  
  Best of luck to you!
  
  edit: formatting
  

Absolutely! Thanks so much for the help.

So for the lighting, I bought two clip clights like https://www.amazon.ca/Bayco-SL-300N4-8-5-Inch-Aluminum-Reflector/dp/B007RKKEHA/ref=asc_df_B007RKKEHA/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292962912878&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7779507648941511035&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001212&hvtargid=pla-357225917488&psc=1 and wrapped white cloth over them to soften the light from them. What would you say the main issue is with the lighting? DIY of course, but is there anything I could do with what I have to improve the lighting?

I wouldn't expect a lot for the price. 10000K is pretty high, you probably want more of a 5-6k range for freshwater plants. I got a similar cheap LED bar and it was barely enough to even illuminate a tank visually, let alone keep plants alive.

High end LED bars get expensive. If you want cheap lighting for a planted tank, just get fixtures like this and clamp or hang them above the tank, with daylight compact flourescent or LED bulbs (Home Depot or Lowes has a good selection.)

There's a bunch. I'm currently using a work lamp with a 60w bulb in it. You can use brew belts sold in homebrew stores, heating pads, heating wire from a pet store, etc. So many options but it depends how much you want to spend and what you feel will work best.

I use a light clamp and then I screw an adapter into the socket to plug in multiple lights. I clamp my lights to some of the rope that hangs from the tent. I have two of these set up along with my 300w LEDs.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007RKKEHA/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1458506517&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=light+clamp&dpPl=1&dpID=41GDTn2U52L&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00T5JD2P2/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?qid=1458506653&sr=8-17&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=light+socket+adapter

Ya I had the same problem and ended up putting them on top of a shoebox to get them closer. I would definitely recommend getting them closer. Any idea what color temperature those bulbs are? I've read you want them around 5000k or above, and if they are really low, soft white bulbs they can cause stretching.
I don't know how much of a budget you are on, but if they continue to stretch too badly you could always supplement them with cool white 26 watt cfl lights. I ended up buying these things from Walmart: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007RKKEHA?pc_redir=1395095763&robot_redir=1
And I'm having a lot of success with them.
By the way anytime you have questions feel free to PM me and I can try to help. I love this stuff haha.

I recently purchased the top link off of Amazon in the US. It has everything I need for my small studio and a 3rd light if I ever expand (it also came with all the bulbs). I also got one of the bottom link as I was having issues with my chair casting a shadow (no bulb included).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054K9EU8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RKKEHA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I still asked for a picture of a set up. what size tank do you have? Ideally you will have 29 gallon tall tank. They are nocturnal so they don't need UVB light. They get their D3 from the repashy food instead. A UVB 2.0 flourescent light can be used for UVB and UVA and it will just make it a little more healthy. you want a basking corner of the tank at 85 F. you want to use a normal light bulb at 40-65 watt to get that temperature. just buy 2 of these they can be bought at home depot, or from amazon. in one of them put the 40-65 watt white light bulb. and another for your fluorescent light.

this website has some good suggestions too, just scroll down to the lighting section.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=2365

If your basement is colder than 70 F you will probably want to get a red bulb to keep it warmer at night.

With this info you should be able to get your whole lighting set up for about $20

unfortunately i only have time to make video at night.

Clamp light like this one ?

For the light bulb, how many wattage do i need for a small room (10 feet x 9 feet)?

I think i can buy one cheap diffuser, but i don't know the differences between the one that looks like umbrella, or softbox

If i can only buy one, which 1 is better?

Thanks

I'd prefer the Tamron 90 2.8 macro because it gives you a bit more working distance. But you can shoot with that on pretty much any consumer body. I'd want to have a 50 1.8 (The standard lens) and a 90 2.8, plus a light tent, on a Rebel body for products. Depending on the size of the products two fixed lights could be fine.

The big feature I like for that sort of photography would be a fold out screen. So the 70D could be an option as well.

For what it's worth, the company I work for, a major niche ecommerce retailer, uses a 7D (Original) with the 18-135, 50 1.8, and a macro lens with primarily fixed lighting like this ( http://smile.amazon.com/Bayco-SL-300-Clamp-Aluminum-Reflector/dp/B007RKKEHA/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1418920997&sr=1-5&keywords=dish+work+light ) and a light tent.

>Between 3000K and 4000K, if growing a small tomato bush, which would you go for?

I'm conflicted actually.

Probably the 4000k, and this is the rational: The increased blue light will reduce stretching in plant, at lower light levels.

Why I'm conflicted is I know 3000k works fine, I like the warm light/ find it relaxing, and red spectrum helps with flowering (important in a tomato plant).

Ultimately it might come down to what had more lux or was on sale that day XD !

>is the PAR38 shape all that important

PAR (parabolic aluminized reflector) kind of is important, the reflector bit in particular, as it means there is more light going in the right direction and reaching the plant. Light intensity is more important than exact spectrum.

>could I go for a regular globe shape?

Yeah you could, just put it in a reflector.

I've made a soft-light box for really cheap before.

-Carboard box.

-Cut off one end so that it's open.

-Glue aluminum foil to the entire inside of the box.

-Insert a light through a hole on the back of box.

-Cover the open side with an old t-shirt or bed sheet.

Here's a link to my completed light box. Instagram Link

If you need better directions, I can look up the ones I followed. I just don't have them handy right now.

I used a clamp light similar to this, I just took off the aluminum reflector off of it.

I just use one these for all my tanks. For a 10 gallon, put a 13w CFL bulb in it and call it good. Make sure you get one that is "daylight," around 6500k. I get them at Bed Bath and Beyond.



Works like a charm