Foldio3 + Extra Lights (25inch Lightbox for Product Photography with Halo Bars / 25" x 25"/ Portable Studio, Dimmable LED Chips, CRI 97+, Background Sheet Included | ORANGEMONKIE)

I just purchased an Orangemonkie 25” FOLIO3 photo tent to photograph my ceramics. This tent is lightweight, corrugated, white plastic and the tent arrived flat. It quickly assembled in seconds with embedded magnets by unfolding the tent flat, then moving each section up to connect the magnets in each section to each other, creating an open cube. There are two backdrops (white and black) that are attached to six dots in the tent, that drape from the top back wall to the front floor creating the seamless look.Permanently attached to the front ceiling is a strip of bright LED lights. An electrical cord and dimmer switch gets plugged into a port outside on the top of the tent. I also purchased the optional 2-side halo lights which can be affixed to the magnets on the sides or in the front. There are two switches on the dimmer control, one that controls the top lights and one that controls the halo lights, so each can be operated independently to get optimal lighting. The whole unit is really slick engineering.I haven’t tried the black backdrop yet or used my DSLR with my tripod, but just took some quickie shots with my iPhone and was very impressed. I set this up on my glaze tables in the garage with all the lights off. The tent opening was large enough to switch pieces in and out and I didn’t seem to get any color reflected off my clothing because the lights are so bright. In addition, it took about ¼ the space as my last setup.

I got the entire kit including the extra lights and turntable. So far works well with no issues, but one caveat is the wires get in the way of everything and make it difficult to get everything placed where you want it. There is no way to hide the turntable wire so it can end up being in your shot.

I am not a professional photographer. I am, however, experienced enough to know a bit more than the basics.My wife detailed me to select and purchase a table top photography studio to gift to her father, who crafts various types of jewelry. Challenge accepted -- not that I had any choice.My father-in-law is an amazing person with an impressive range of knowledge, skills and experience. (Honestly, he's a godsend when things break or I need help with any construction task.) However, he's not a tech guy and he's not very experienced in photographing small things (like jewelry). Given his developing interest and skills handcrafting jewelry, he's been asked to photograph items he's manufactured for sharing, exhibiting and marketing. Having nothing but a decent camera with a flash, the results have been a poor reflection of the quality of his hard work. A table top photography studio would be a real good tool for him, one that would surely provide greater opportunity for successful photographs.Like you, I looked at several available kits sold through Amazon. I also did some Google searches for the best table top photography studios. Time and time again, Foldio/Orangemonkie products like the foldio3 appeared on the list of top picks by professionals. Comparing the foldio3 to others that qualified for my short list of options-for-purchase, it seemed this was the one to recommend for the following reasons:1. It simply is well-reviewed (4.3 Stars on Amazon) with reviews that include important considerations to me, including:A. Good quality and design for intended useB. It sets-up easily and it packs up wellB. Includes good lighting that is adjustable and also backdrops in a variety of colorsC. The cost (which is more than many) was worth it to many of the reviewers2. The videos (in particular) and the photographs included on the Amazon product page were well done and provided to me a very good understanding of how the product assembles, how it can be used/adjusted, how it can be expanded (as a kit), and how it packs up for storage or transportation. This was an option my father-in-law could store easily, set-up easily and have everything necessary to take great photographs.3. While the size capacity is much larger than necessary for most items of jewelry, I decided the size provided more options to him in the event he wanted to photograph either larger items or expand his kit to include the Foldio360 Smart Turntable or other accessoriesUpon receiving the Foldio3 with Halo Bars, my father-in-law excitedly assembled it and immediately put it to use. No instructions needed. This kit is very intuitive, very well designed and promotes success (in photography). While he was without his digital SLR and had only his (older) phone's camera, the results were immediately obvious: Much better photographs.Win! Win! My father-in-law is visibly pleased with his gift. My wife is pleased with me (for the moment).I should mention a final remark my father-in-law mentioned. While capable of accommodating larger items, the kit folds up into a very manageable and light-weight package for storage and travel. (My in-laws RV full-time several months out of the year. Space management is a very real consideration for them. This kit meets their discerning space and weight criteria, qualifying it as something he can take along and use whenever and wherever they travel.I will soon be retiring. Among the numerous tasks before me will be liquidating a number of items that we've inherited or bought or have been given that need to go. eBay and CraigsList will occupy me, and I'll need good photographs. I will be in the market for a table top photography studio, myself. As a discriminating buyer, I prefer top-quality products that get the job done. As a somewhat experienced photographer, I know what I need to get good results. I will most certainly buy this very same kit again -- but, this time for me. Therefore, I highly recommend this product to you and hope you find it equally worthy of a 5-star review.

Disclaimer - I purchased this and returned it, but I will tell you why!Overall this is a very nice unit, and I purchased it because of the larger size. Once I assembled it though, I realized that I was running into the same problems that I have had with other foldable boxes - the annoying gaps in the corners.Even though the box was larger, having to pan back more for larger items, now brought the gaps in the corners into play - as a result, I had to take closer, tighter, shots, and didn't feel that I could take advantage of the larger size.Now, that's really a "me" problem, not the fault of the manufacturer. Overall, I think it is a very nice product, just not for me.PROS:1. The lights were great, they were very bright!2. Setup was super easy, and this would be easy to transport (see a con below!).3. Magnets were tight, it wouldn't hold up to someone leaning or setting something on it, but assembled, it was snug.CONS:1. Not the fault of the product, but the nature of the design - those darn gaps in the corners, I couldn't deal with that - it makes the box seem smaller than it really is. Again, that's not a knock against the manufacturer.2. If you set this up and leave it alone, it would probably last you a lifetime - however the nature of the plastic, I don't know how many times over and over it would hold up to being folded and unfolded.3. I think you might be overpaying for the product - I think it's nice but not worth what I paid.Overall, I think it's a nice product, but TO ME, the gaps rendered it's size irrelevant, and TO ME, I think the price is a little steep for what you're getting.If you're on the fence, buy it and give it a try, your experience will be better than any review!