The DIY Macro Photography Light Cage - Part 1 - Making It

I know, I know... this is a rather long video. But there was a lot to cover. I take you through the building of my macro light cage and camera platform in excruciating detail, on the assumption that at least some viewers may be unfamiliar with some, or all, of the tools and techniques required to complete this project. This video only deals with building the platform. Future videos are going to describe a few of the many ways I use this platform to create unique lighting setups for macro photography.
For anyone interested in making an exact copy of the device shown in the video, I have put a parts list and a cutting diagram in the cloud. Follow the links below to find each of these documents...

As always, if you have any questions about any of this material, don't hesitate to shoot me a message and I'll help in any way I can. If you watch this entire video I will give you a gold star.

For an in-depth look at how to make use of of the light cage, be sure to check out "Part 2 - Using It", available soon on my YouTube channel!

[AnaaNis]

The pace and the tone of your videos are just phantastic. You are definitely my favourite Hollywood actor photographer.😉

[GrandpaTom]

"If you watch this entire video I will give you a gold star." I need a few gold stars coming my way!

[JohnGiskes]

Nice system Allan, I decided to build such a system myself. Regrettable not all those elements are available over here in the Netherlands in PVC. So I bought the elements from a sign industry supplier. Six meter of aluminium pipe diameter 30mm and 2mm thickness then the steel elements for fitting the pipes and clamps to secure it all to the plate. Total costs € 119 free delivery at my home. The system you showed from another person in black rectangle pipe costs overhere € 229 for the material (brand: Handytube). I am looking forward to use this setup, it looks so good in your video's. Thanks for sharing and with admiration for your macro skill.

[GrandpaTom]

I just finished my version of this macro cage. I did not change much although I had a major problem getting the sled to smoothly work. I ended up putting a bed made from a sheet of plastic like a report cover. I have made similar cages for product photography and had all of the PVC and I used a piece of 3/4" plywood that I had the exact size to cut up. I did paint all the wood White and just to make it interesting I painted the PVC bright blue. (happens to be my favorite color) I had to buy the Z bracket, the specimen adjustment platform, and some of the hardware. I think you would be impressed with the final product. I would like to send you some pictures, but I don't know the best way to do that. Thanks for the great videos and all the time you have invested. I am a newer frequent flyer on your channel. I enjoy your sense of humor and I have learned a lot from you.

[stephenwoodburn]

I just sat for an hour watching you drill pilot holes, glue PVC and make cuts to MDF. I was absolutely entertained and can't wait to see more. I will most definitely be heading to Home Depot as I can already see the possibilities that this little contraption will be able to accomplish. I look forward to seeing it in use, Alan.

[joanras]

Hello Allan. I have built the cage following your detailed instructions ( thank you for such detail !!!!) I have only deviated from your design in two things. I have increased the height in 4 inches, to give me more room to manipulate and have built a top beam that slides along the lateral top tubes, for cenital lighting or cenital pictures. Thank you again from Spain I am very happy with your design

[martingjsmith]

This is so much better than Netflix!! Seriously, I have just watched the entire video and plan to construct one of these in the coming weeks. Great stuff!!

[aarnhng]

Thank you Allan. Very well thought out system, helped me tremendously to plan ahead!

[alexnikoo]

this video deserve a million view. Thank you

[johnblagden]

Hi Allan, a trick I used a long time ago when doing macro work with film cameras and non-flash lighting, was to use 4 x semi-inflated go-cart tyre inner tubes between the base and the table underneath. The method has several big advantages - 1) They absorb a huge amount of vibration that you find in most floors, with fridges and freezers in the kitchen next door being the sort of thing I'm talking about. 2) You can inflate each of the tyres carefully so that the base is completely level. 3) They are cheap and pretty tough. 4) They protect the surface underneath, which enhances marital stability and domestic bliss, especially if you don't have the space to keep the setup permanently assembled.

[johnhambyphotography]

I love DIY projects. I look forward to your next video on setup and use.

[barryt]

Fascinating project. I have to work with some MDF shortly to make a locking base for a Wemacro microscope stepping device. It works very well but needs locking down onto a base. I will watch the other Cage videos as you give lots of useful tips. My workshop (posh name for a big garden shed) isn't really big enough to accommodate a Cage, but I am still interested to see how your project progresses in the other segments. Thanks again Allan, well worth watching.

[egyptiansphinx]

Brilliant video, thanks. Just exactly what I'm looking to do. Setup takes longer than taking photos without an always ready setup like this. Instead of the plastic pipes, I'll be using wood. Glad done woodwork back in school many moons ago 😀

[whatdyasay]

Thanks Allan! Just built your Macro Rig yesterday, about $40 in parts at Home Depot, can't wait to give it a test drive when I get my first insect and a few of the photo equipment items.

[leeo.alexander]

The four parts of your video are very good. I have about 60% of the items you mention in your build list. I built a macro slide about a year or so ago, but I did not think in terms of a cage. The cage that was shown from Australia is really easy to build. I have used the extrusion to build a 3D printer. I can get just about any length, plus connections, I need from a vendor in TX called Zyltech on eBay. My photo club members would be very interested in this setup. Now all I need is to get clearance from my wife where I can place the cage in the house.

[barryselke]

I have built my new macro cage, following your guidelines. However, I found the PVC to be too slick for some of my clamps to hold their position. My remedy was to add a slip resistant tape to all of the PVC pipe where clamps might be applied. The tape is black, pretty abrasive and normally used on stair treads. It can be found at one of your favorite places, Home Depot. I found it under the 3M brand, called Safety-Walk. It not only provides a very high friction surface for clamps to adhere to, but also hides the highly reflective, white surface of the PVC. I love your YouTube post and continue to look forward to the next one.

[johnd]

Allan, a great tool here is called T-track. It's an extruded aluminum channel that you can attach things to, and easily slide along its length. Woodworkers use it to make jigs. There are dedicated tightening handles, too. You can easily use the router to route a channel to lay in the T-track, then you can tension a holder anywhere along its length.
Often there will be scraps of MDF with a white finish (melamine) at Home Depot. Those make great sled bottoms.
One caution about using MDF is that it is VERY easy to ruin with water. Get it wet and it will first get rough, then it will swell badly. Once you have the sled constructed, consider finishing it so it will not absorb. Water drop collisions, anyone?
Also, if you're nervous using the router, you're being smart. To make it easier to work with, don't route the entire depth in one pass. Route away only 1/8" at a time, or whatever feels safe. Also for your router setup, generally you want one fence not two unless you're routing there-and-back.
Also I think it would be easier to finish the cage by building the top square OFF the supports. Then you can easily cement the top square to the vertical supports, and you don't have to guess at 90 degrees when cementing the corners. And that cement doesn't just smell bad, it's pretty dangerous stuff. I'd do that part in the garage with the door open as long as you're in the temperature range for the cement.

[davidhefner]

I have watched all your videos to date, with the exception of the results of the photo competition. I will later. Anyway....I'm reviewing. It's taken a few months to get everything together. The one thing I have to make yet it the base for the cage. That's why the review.

[oldironandy]

Thank you so much. I was thinking about making a rig along these lines and you have given me some good ideas. Looking forward to the next video on this.

[davidhefner]

Base is painted...flat black. Cage now in place using those grey plastic conduit clamps. I'm also want a slider on top the cage that will move along the PVC as a guide. Those conduit clamps...two on each side will work perfect. It should slide back and forth real smooth. The cross section can hold a light or even a camera shooting downward.