Author Topic: How to Photograph Tubes and Tube Amps (Read 14192 times)

robrob · « **on:** April 20, 2017, 09:08:49 am »

I've been doing some tube macro photography and put together a "how to."

https://robrobinette.com/Glowing_Tube_Photography.htm

1972 Fender silverface AA1069 Bandmaster Reverb

Bandmaster Reverb Power Tubes

Taken with a Sony A350 digital SLR with a fixed 24mm f/3.5 lens, 30 seconds of exposure, f/9, ISO 100.

"Pen and Ink" Version

Doug, these are large images but they are linked to my website so they shouldn't affect your webservers or your bandwidth but feel free to pull them if you need to.

pompeiisneaks · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2017, 03:38:28 pm »

Very cool, esp dig the blue on the power tubes ;)

robrob · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2017, 03:56:32 pm »

Those gassy Russian military power tubes are very photogenic.

robrob · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2017, 07:00:16 am »

pompeiisneaks · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2017, 11:25:17 am »

Ok now I've reported you to an admin! Showing off pornography on this forum is not allowed!

robrob · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2017, 12:37:07 pm »

The 50's sci fi version:

robrob · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2017, 08:44:45 pm »

Here's an upside down shot of the Bandmaster Reverb:

robrob · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2017, 10:05:52 pm »

The black and white version takes on a completely different vibe.

edthill · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2017, 02:18:34 pm »

Rob squared, are you using a special camera/lens or is this high quality phone photography with filters added? Just curious.
It looks awesome. Nice work.

robrob · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2017, 03:24:38 pm »

The details are here: https://robrobinette.com/Glowing_Tube_Photography.htm but I'm using a camera on a tripod for 30 second exposures. My main camera is a Sony A350 digital SLR but I've gotten good tube pics with a Sony A5000 point-and-shoot. The camera needs a manual exposure mode and manual focus. Auto focus freaks out in the dark.

I'm not using any filtering in the color shots and the black and whites are simply color shots with the color saturation taken down to zero.

robrob · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2017, 04:47:51 pm »

Another Bandmaster Reverb chassis shot:

robrob · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2017, 07:50:33 am »

Maximum clarity and focus:

robrob · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2017, 07:52:54 pm »

jjasilli · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2017, 08:20:19 pm »

robrob · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2017, 08:21:26 pm »

robrob · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2017, 09:08:24 pm »

DummyLoad · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2017, 09:12:41 pm »

your rectumafrier is melting - leaning...oveeeer...just...a...tad...

nice pics and cool website btw.

--pete

sluckey · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2017, 09:21:24 pm »

Quote

your rectumafrier is melting

So is the tube next to it.

robrob · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2017, 11:22:43 pm »

Yea, I've been running the old Russian military power tubes hard for the photo sessions. But damn, they're photogenic.

robrob · « **Reply #19 on:** April 26, 2017, 01:56:52 pm »

This is the top of a power tube with the hollow cathode showing the glowing hot heater filaments. The control grid and screen grid wires can be seen through the cooling vent holes on both sides of the cathode. For these super macro shots I had to shine an LED flashlight on the tube to aid in focusing the camera. The photo was taken with a special Mitakon 20mm 4x Super Macro f/2 lens set at f/16 for maximum focus, 3 seconds exposure and ISO 100. The scene was lit from above with a fluorescent work light.

SleepLess · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2017, 02:10:04 pm »

Great pictures! Those colours are mesmerizing!

fdesalvo · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2017, 04:25:34 pm »

That is seshual. BTW, thanks for all the available and easily digestible info on you website.

Joeriz · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2017, 08:09:53 pm »

I can practically smell those tubes!

robrob · « **Reply #23 on:** April 30, 2017, 06:14:23 pm »

robrob · « **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2017, 06:14:58 pm »

The '72 Bandmaster Reverb's gassy 6N3C power tubes.

EL34 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 01, 2017, 08:17:32 am »

The pics loom cool robrob

robrob · « **Reply #26 on:** May 01, 2017, 02:54:48 pm »

Thanks Doug.

robrob · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2017, 07:08:24 pm »

Wine Cellar

robrob · « **Reply #28 on:** May 01, 2017, 07:09:12 pm »

Check out the plate detail in the rectifier and power tubes:

robrob · « **Reply #29 on:** May 02, 2017, 08:58:45 pm »

Plasma

robrob · « **Reply #30 on:** May 13, 2017, 11:17:48 am »

robrob · « **Reply #31 on:** May 13, 2017, 02:20:01 pm »

mresistor · « **Reply #32 on:** October 01, 2017, 10:36:16 am »

Nice pics Rob.

bbmade · « **Reply #33 on:** December 05, 2017, 01:52:13 pm »

Wow, these are fantastic. Photography and amp hobbyist here...super cool.

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Author Topic: How to Photograph Tubes and Tube Amps (Read 14192 times)