The right lighting for selling on eBay and online.

CurryOverLeBron · 01-03-2022, 12:44 PM

What have you found to work?

A light box?

Certain custom set up?

Etc.

Providing specific details is a huge plus and any example photos would be great.

Thanks much.

j0shuab · 01-04-2022, 11:09 PM

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

The pros: cheap, does the job, USB powered.
Cons: Pretty flimsy, refractors/chrome cards are hard to position without reflecting the individual LEDs, pretty much impossible to get a good photo with slabs, so I don't use it much for those.

You can see the results on my linked eBay listings, hope that helps. I've considered upgrading to a better solution, but haven't gotten around to it.

turkpbr18 · 01-05-2022, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurryOverLeBron

What have you found to work?

A light box?

Certain custom set up?

Etc.

Providing specific details is a huge plus and any example photos would be great.

Thanks much.

I made my own. I bought two sheets of that core foam board at Target. Cut into the shape of a light box, cut the top at about half. Cut a square hole in the top. I then took that thin paper mache (white) stuff my wife has for crafting/stuffing gift bags and put it over the hole I cut. I put a light bar over the top and can adjust it forward and backward as necessary. Works great for cards in penny sleeves and most top loaders. Slabs get a reflection regardless, but changing the angle helps.

OPChockey · 01-05-2022, 01:42 AM

I use a reading lamp on my desk if I have to take photos at night which is OK, but not ideal.

What I found works best is putting my cards on my desk using natural light and putting the blinds up during the day with no direct sunlight. That way the whites and the colors on cards look vibrant and bright, and my phone camera seems to adjust quicker and takes better pics in a moderate amount of natural light. No adjustment is required at all. Just my experience.
Try either way and see what works best on your cards.

sthoemke · 01-05-2022, 02:51 AM

For cards, I think a standard flatbed scanner is best.

Rabs · 01-06-2022, 08:03 AM

Get a scanner if you are planning to take a lot of photos of cards.

One of the best investments I've made in the hobby.

Danderlion · 01-06-2022, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sthoemke

For cards, I think a standard flatbed scanner is best.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rabs

Get a scanner if you are planning to take a lot of photos of cards.

One of the best investments I've made in the hobby.

I bought a top of the line scanner a few years back (V600), and I love it. Although I rarely find myself using it anymore. I tend to purchase chrome refractors, those are easily my favorite cards. The problem is refractors do not refract light at all using this scanner (maybe a setting adjustment could help but I've tried a lot...). Looks nearly identical to the base. For this reason, I just use a cheap light box and my phone camera now. Refractors look so much better this way

Here is an example of what I am talking about.

Top of the line scanner:

My 5 year old phone with lightbox:

Rabs · 01-06-2022, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danderlion

I bought a top of the line scanner a few years back (V600), and I love it. Although I rarely find myself using it anymore. I tend to purchase chrome refractors, those are easily my favorite cards. The problem is refractors do not refract light at all using this scanner (maybe a setting adjustment could help but I've tried a lot...). Looks nearly identical to the base. For this reason, I just use a cheap light box and my phone camera now. Refractors look so much better this way

I agree here. The scanner does not pick up the "refractor" portion of the surface on scans. I have a nice Canon scanner and have the same issue.

jamcas997 · 01-06-2022, 05:01 PM

Who cares is it picks up the reflection from a refractor or prizm. as long as the back has it designated as such or is numbered to reflect that parallel then it shouldn't matter.

towerymt · 01-06-2022, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamcas997

Who cares is it picks up the reflection from a refractor or prizm. as long as the back has it designated as such or is numbered to reflect that parallel then it shouldn't matter.

myslabs

The image is everything. There's no text to read (other than the label on the slab, which is in the image). People are scanning images, so you want it to stand out as a refractor, if it is.

The other reason isn't really legit, but it exists...if the PSA label is incorrect. Lower left corner, this is a refractor. Mislabeled.

When the light hits it right, it's obvious though

---------------------------------------

I posted about this in the other thread but I guess it got trashed as a duplicate rather than merged?

That sucks

dictoresno · 01-07-2022, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rabs

I agree here. The scanner does not pick up the "refractor" portion of the surface on scans. I have a nice Canon scanner and have the same issue.

depends on the scanner. the higher end scanners like the ones PSA uses, doesnt pick up refractors very well, just makes the whole cards look bright. the V600 also uses a lighting element that scans the refractors similarly. my Epson V370 uses a different LED source and pattern, so it does create a refractive look when scanning cards, however each LED gives it a "jail bar" pattern. but it does show it. chrome cards look dark however due to its reflective properties. the V600 does better on them I think.

longhornjunkie · 01-07-2022, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamcas997

Who cares is it picks up the reflection from a refractor or prizm. as long as the back has it designated as such or is numbered to reflect that parallel then it shouldn't matter.

It shouldn't, but people buzzing through search results may not even try to click on it if it doesn't readily look like a refractor.

shrevecity · 01-07-2022, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamcas997

Who cares is it picks up the reflection from a refractor or prizm. as long as the back has it designated as such or is numbered to reflect that parallel then it shouldn't matter.

Quality photos can impact your search ranking especially on sites outside of Ebay.

Viper Collects · 01-09-2022, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0shuab

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

The pros: cheap, does the job, USB powered.
Cons: Pretty flimsy, refractors/chrome cards are hard to position without reflecting the individual LEDs, pretty much impossible to get a good photo with slabs, so I don't use it much for those.

You can see the results on my linked eBay listings, hope that helps. I've considered upgrading to a better solution, but haven't gotten around to it.

I have one of these as well. You can also see results from my ebay link. I think a photobox is the right way to go. You want to control your lighting. I agree that slabs and chrome are a pain. I also wished the power cable was longer.

grogu · 02-15-2022, 03:15 AM

A hi-res scanner is probably best, but I don’t have one so I use my iPhone with a natural light lamp and shoot on a black or white gaming playmat.

Incandescent lights distort the true color of what you’re shooting, like making mothers day parallels look like gold parallels, that’s why I use an Ott Lamp.

For chrome i will either position the lamp to the side or shoot at an angle and fix the perspective in the photos app. Shooting at an angle keeps your reflection and glare from getting in the shot.

Of course all of this can be avoided with a good scanner but I think it’s fun shooting with my phone.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

premium1981 · 02-15-2022, 04:56 PM

I have never seen anything outperform an iphone with correct lighting. Scanners are fine, but they don't compare IMO. Type in any random card on ebay and scroll through the images. Stop at the ones that catch your attention. Then actually look at the setup. Its rarely a scanned card from my experience. Almost always a phone picture when done correctly.

01-03-2022, 12:44 PM	#1
CurryOverLeBron Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Curryville USA Posts: 202	The right lighting for selling on eBay and online. What have you found to work? A light box? Certain custom set up? Etc. Providing specific details is a huge plus and any example photos would be great. Thanks much.

01-04-2022, 11:09 PM	#2
j0shuab Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 153 jbmckay j0shua	I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1 The pros: cheap, does the job, USB powered. Cons: Pretty flimsy, refractors/chrome cards are hard to position without reflecting the individual LEDs, pretty much impossible to get a good photo with slabs, so I don't use it much for those. You can see the results on my linked eBay listings, hope that helps. I've considered upgrading to a better solution, but haven't gotten around to it. __________________ Collecting USMNT and Pedro Martinez

01-05-2022, 02:51 AM	#5
sthoemke Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 6,475 sthoemke sthoemke	For cards, I think a standard flatbed scanner is best. __________________ [signature goes here]

01-06-2022, 08:03 AM	#6
Rabs Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 15,975 Rabs	Get a scanner if you are planning to take a lot of photos of cards. One of the best investments I've made in the hobby. __________________ Sean Taylor/Craig Kimbrel/Brian Orakpo Collector! https://sportscardalbum.com/u/rabs

01-05-2022, 01:42 AM	#4
OPChockey Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 150	I use a reading lamp on my desk if I have to take photos at night which is OK, but not ideal. What I found works best is putting my cards on my desk using natural light and putting the blinds up during the day with no direct sunlight. That way the whites and the colors on cards look vibrant and bright, and my phone camera seems to adjust quicker and takes better pics in a moderate amount of natural light. No adjustment is required at all. Just my experience. Try either way and see what works best on your cards.

01-06-2022, 05:01 PM	#9
jamcas997 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 5,587	Who cares is it picks up the reflection from a refractor or prizm. as long as the back has it designated as such or is numbered to reflect that parallel then it shouldn't matter.

02-15-2022, 03:15 AM	#15
grogu Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Revere, MA Posts: 35 ballbuster	A hi-res scanner is probably best, but I don’t have one so I use my iPhone with a natural light lamp and shoot on a black or white gaming playmat. Incandescent lights distort the true color of what you’re shooting, like making mothers day parallels look like gold parallels, that’s why I use an Ott Lamp. For chrome i will either position the lamp to the side or shoot at an angle and fix the perspective in the photos app. Shooting at an angle keeps your reflection and glare from getting in the shot. Of course all of this can be avoided with a good scanner but I think it’s fun shooting with my phone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02-15-2022, 04:56 PM	#16
premium1981 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,238	I have never seen anything outperform an iphone with correct lighting. Scanners are fine, but they don't compare IMO. Type in any random card on ebay and scroll through the images. Stop at the ones that catch your attention. Then actually look at the setup. Its rarely a scanned card from my experience. Almost always a phone picture when done correctly.