During a recent zoom meetup with other electronic YouTubers, EEV-Dave asked how I get my detailed PCB images. I've been stalling on making a video about this for a long time due to the very rough appearance of my set-up. But as it's unlikely to change anytime soon (because it's the prototype that worked), here's my system for getting those shots.
It can be adapted to suit other items by scaling it up with trial and error. It's also very rugged as demonstrated on the zoom meeting when I lobbed it over my shoulder, knocking my bottle or radium gin off the shelf behind me. (it's not actually radioactive).
If you want to see the full zoom meeting with me, EEV-Dave, Julian Illet, the Post Apocalyptic Inventor, Martin Lorton, Mike's electric stuff and Electroboom at the end then it can be viewed here:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ricc9IZNuPo
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

18 thoughts on “How i get my crisp macro shots with tupper-cam”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars asi ano 𒐫⸻ says:

    The only thing that I liked about a Microsoft Lumia phones was that they have a manual focus function similar to regular cameras. Their cameras were the only positive thing. The software was garbage.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ed Ic says:

    Many times we use regular typing paper. The led is behind the paper. The paper defuses light.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sam Horowitz says:

    I love your channel! Your phone time in the video says you recorded this at 3:00 AM – How do you keep your energy up so late at night? I wish I could stay up past 11PM =) I'm in my mid 30s but feel like an old fart! Thank you for all of your videos Sir!

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TRANSMITTER GUY says:

    Cool vid Clive, but why do you suppose that they mounted another regulator IC on the bottom, if that chip already has one? Hmmmmm

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stephen Belcher says:

    : Susan Sontag ‘ On Photography Philosophy Clife😃

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars zombieregime says:

    Love the Tupperware soft box idea! Ive been using the flash on my DSLR but utilizing a piece of polarizer film and a polarizer filter. Zoom the lens in all the way, then set distance to fit the frame. Set focus, then put polarizer film over the flash crossed to the filter on the lens (the polarizer messes with the flash based focusing on my camera so it has to pull focus then place the film over the flash. a LCD screen can help with making sure the lens filter and film is crossed, then just make sure the film is in the same orientation square to the flash). The crossed polarizers kill all of the bright reflections of the flash bulb, but the refracted scattered light makes it through just fine. Nice bright 18 mega-big-fat-bucket-pixel images for tracing out in GIMP. Though sometimes the images do contain angled shadows off of tall components, especially if shot very close…

    I also have a ring light I made out of an old lighted round mirror I cut the middle out of so it mounts around my lenses that Ill eventually put polarizers into so I can achieve the same effect of killing the direct reflection while letting the scattered illumination through. Basically itll work with any lighting, just throw polarizer film in front of your lighting (all the same way for multiple pieces of polarizer film of course) and cross it with a circular polarizer filter and BAM! glare knocked out completely but bright soft light all around 😉

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars red snappa says:

    The late Ken Morse would be smashing his expensive rostrum camera with a lump hammer if he could see this!

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Neil Bain says:

    The macro photography is superb.The print looks so life like it's easy to forget its a 2-D picture with no actual components in front of you.
    When I got some TP4056 modules I was surprised at how small they were. I had to use a magnifying glass on top of another magnifying glass just to read the resistors to find the current limiting one you change for 550mAh batteries.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kit - Geoff Bullough says:

    Brilliant thanks very much

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Memory Warrior says:

    Thanks for this Clive, this is exactly what I need. You saved me about a month of trial and error, I'm going straight to your solution for this one!

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dan AI6XG Koellen says:

    Wonderful video, thank you for sharing. Do you change your white balance to compensate for the LED tape light temperature?

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars imark7777777 says:

    You could say electricboom exploded into the group.
    Yes I'm finally getting around to watching this year later.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chaos Corner says:

    You've got something working so this probably won't help you but there are places on the web where you can download older versions of phone firmware. It can be quite complex working out which is the correct one for your phone though.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jek says:

    resolution is bunkus. I had a phone with 64 megapixels and it was the worst phone camera i've had so far lol

    I'm impressed you were able to cut such a clean hole in that tupperware

    great little tool! Definitely something worth making

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Curt Wuollet says:

    Three jackscrews on the tub would let you deal with things that are hard to level.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Martyn Davies says:

    I've seen a white bucket used (inverted) as a small studio. You light it from outside (giving the diffusion) and cut a hole/port in the side so that you can point the camera in and position your subject.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TANGLDWEB says:

    Ha ha ha ha,.. I get it.
    Talking about Macro on Zoom. Very funny 😏

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cavey Möth says:

    I would use manual focus. That way, all you have to do is set the focus to the same number every time.

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