FINCHforum

I was thinking of building a photo box. Most plans on the internet have a plexiglass slide front and top. My question is for those who have them do you ever use glass instead of the plexiglass? Is there a reason one is preferred over the other? Besides breakage of course. I don't know much about photograpy so does glass present more of a glare. Appreciate your input in advance.

You can get reduced glare glass at a custom picture frame shop. Although I don't know if the coating will stand up to clawing and repeated cleaning.

I used non glare on pieces of art/illustrations I did, it does "dull" the image some. Plexi-glass is cheaper and easier to cut. If you go the route of using plexi-glass run a strip of masking tape over the line you plan to cut on and run another piece on the backside also, it will reduce chipping. If you plan on drilling through it place a small piece of masking tape on either side over the spot you plan to drill through. You will get a cleaner hole without chipping.

Thanks guys... Hubby has cut much plexiglass for projects... made really cool crb shedding boxes for soft shell crabs...YUM YUM....
but I digress...
The reason I wanted to know about glass was I have at least 30 ten gallon fish tanks. I was going to cover the back and sides with desired prints ...glass the top, add a perch, and well there you go................ If I don't get more feed back I will just give it a try. I am big on ideas but I am limited as to photographing through glass.......Gary, you are a camera bug... what is better snapping pictures through glass or plexiglass?
I don't care if the tank gets scratched...I have plenty

You want to take pictures thru the glass?

Ah Candace, I see what you want to do, I think. Are you trying to set up a photo stage for your birds? I don't know if the flash (if you use one) will cause a wash out. Oh Gary...Candace needs help!

I thought you were trying to make one of those picture cube boxes! Ok...for all those that want to cut plexi-glass to make photocubes, use tape before cutting!!!

I tried using plexi-glass..
It does not work unless the plexi-glass is NOT slid down in front when you try to shoot.

If it is, the flash will reflect back off of it and drown out the shot.

The only way it might work is if you shoot outdoors in very bright sunlight; and even then you will probably still get an obvious glare from the sunlight in the shot.

Mine is wood on the front, back, and bottom, surrounded by hardware cloth on sides and top.
The front has a large square cut out where I can insert the camera so there is nothing at all obstructing the field of view.

MLaRue wrote:You want to take pictures thru the glass?

My question is how to take pictures in a photo box. I have found plans on the web and they all show plexiglass fronts. I have the glass and also plexiglass, if needed , and was wondering what would work best.
Tiffany say that you just have a square hold cut out. Is this how your box is also?

nixity wrote:
Mine is wood on the front, back, and bottom, surrounded by hardware cloth on sides and top.
The front has a large square cut out where I can insert the camera so there is nothing at all obstructing the field of view.

Tiffany could you list the dimensions of your box?

CandoAviary wrote:
Tiffany could you list the dimensions of your box?

I'd have to measure to get the exact dimensions (and I can tomorrow..) but it is something like 24"x12"x12" (LxWxH), with the opening in front being about 9" square

Mine is a plexi box with a door on the front - I open the door to take pictures otherwise glass and or plexi will cause glares everywhere...

Tiffany has a picture of her photo box Eric made for her - it is neat.

MLaRue wrote:
Tiffany has a picture of her photo box Eric made for her - it is neat.

I thought I did.. I can't find it now..
I also had a photo or five of Neeko I tried taking in the original plexi glass box he made me that was all glare and bobo looking and I can't find those either!

Do you still have the picture of Ladd's?

These are examples of what I have found on the web...all say they take pictures through the plexiglass????? Doesn't make sense, does it?

http://slugnutty.com/gouldianfinchus/birdbox.htm

http://www.delmarvagouldianfinches.com/ ... o-box.html

Hmmmm, all of the pictures that I take of my birds are in the aviary, through the plexiglass. Then again I have an indoor setting on my camera.