Designed for avid online auction sellers, the ePhotomaker provides an optimal environment to shoot eBay photos or other items for sale, but it’s also useful for macro and still-life photography.

The tent works by diffusing the light from a desk lamp or spotlight through its translucent side panel.

The opposite side has a reflective coating to help fill shadows, while a one-piece white base and backing cloth gives a seamless backdrop.

Lastolite also includes a blue filter gel to help recreate daylight temperature light, plus a double-sided grey/white card for setting white balance and exposure.

Even a mini tripod is thrown in to avoid camera shake. End results really look the part with well-softened shadows and a crisp white background that closely resembles professional e-commerce product shots.

Much like a conventional light cube, the ePhotomaker packs flat for easy transportation, though the backdrop is prone to creasing. You can iron it smooth, but it’s a hassle.

The ePhotomaker is available in two sizes and offers an effortlessly easy means of showing off your products and macro subjects at their best.

Price: £95
Buy it: www.lastolite.com

Score: 4/5

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Designed with product photography in mind, the Light Tent Cube Soft Box is one of the larger options on the market.

As such, it’s ideal for a wide range of products, from smaller pieces of jewellery and watches, to shoes, bags and electronic items.

Although it’s quite spacious when in use, it folds down to a portable size and arrives in its own zipped carrying case.

Black, white, red and blue cloths are supplied with the cube, each of which can be used to line its sides and base as a backdrop.

Should the nylon side of each cloth not be to the user’s liking, the other more velvet-like side may be used instead, given that both sides are equipped with Velcro pads.

There’s also a door with a slot to shield extraneous light, which allows the subject being photographed to be lit solely with the diffused light passing through the sides of the cube.

The cube springs out of its carrying case in the same way as a reflector, and the thin but sturdy steel frames around its edges help it to maintain its shape.

Because the tent is so large, it can be a little awkward to fold back down and put away, but once you get the hang of it it’s not much of an issue.

The thick Velcro pads mean the cloths stay firmly in place, although having been initially folded they require ironing to be suitable for use as backgrounds.

Dimensions: 800x800x800mm

Verdict
Well-made with a useful selection of coloured backgrounds. Its high price is offset by the large size.

Score: 4/5

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