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Photography Lighting Systems

LED Light Natural Daylight

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions regarding the MK Lighting Systems, LED Natural Daylight Lighting & more

Questions by subject:

Lighting Systems | Cameras | Photography | LED lighting | Purchasing & Shipping | Online Store | Contact Us


Lighting Systems


1. Which Lighting System should I choose? Which one is right for me?

First of all we want you to know that ALL of our lighting systems provide you with the same basic features in order for you to take High-Quality pictures with no shadows, hot-spots or reflections, while allowing you to take photographs quick and easy.

The individual differences in the lighting systems are: The size (layout space), the amount of lighting control switches, the types of lights, platform size, and their special features. Please take a look at our comparison chart for more information

 

Steps to determining which Lighting System is right for you:

  1. What TYPE of products are you trying to photograph?

    Common Answers & Recommendations:
    • I need to photograph JEWELRY: Then you've found the right photography lighting systems, as ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS have been specially designed for shooting jewelry.
    • I need to photograph OTHER Non-Jewelry items: As you read above, our systems have been specially designed for jewelry photography, yet we have certain models that have ONLY the basic lighting enviroment needed for jewelry photography - fluorescent lighting. Yet, fluorescent lighting is the ONLY necessary lighting for all general product photography. The models that have these basic features include the MK Photo-eBox and the MK Photo-eBox PLUS 1419 (The main difference of these two systems is their size).


  2. What is the SIZE of your products?

    Common Answers & Recommendations:
    • SMALL ITEMS such as Rings, Pendants, & Bracelets (If Jewelry) or other small commercial products : If you have only small items to photograph (No larger than about 6 x 6 x 6 inches), then we recommend you our most economical model, the MK Gem-ebox. This lighting system is a great deal: It has 3 types of lighting (mainly for jewelry), it's portable, and it has all you need to shoot high quality photos of your jewelry or small items. The only limiting factor is it's size, which won't allow you to photograph bigger items.
    • MEDIUM ITEMS such as all jewelry products (including necklaces & watches) : If you will photograph all types of jewelry items or other medium-size commerical products (No larger than about 12 x 8 x 6 inches) we recommend you any of our Medium-sized boxes.These include the Photo-eBox, Photo-eBox II , Photo-eBox PLUS or the MK "The Box II". Read the next step to determining which of these is good for you, or compare all Photo-eBoxes
    • LARGE ITEMS including all jewelry products & large commerical products : If you have bigger jewelry items, or large-size commerical products (No larger than about 15 x 12 x 10 inches) we recommend you our large size boxes.These include the MK Photo-eBox PLUS 1419 and the MK "The Box" II.


  3. Will you photograph jewelry that contains COLORED gemstones?

    Common Answers & Recommendations:
    • YES I have jewelry that contains colored gemstones: Then we recomend you to get a lighting system that contains Halogen Lighting (more info). These includes the Photo-eBox II, Photo-eBox PLUS and the MK "The Box" II.
    • NO I don't have or need to photograph jewelry with colored gemstones: Then you won't need the Halogen Lighting included in other models (although it won't really bother you if you DO have it). Then we recommend you the Photo-eBox or the Photo-eBox PLUS 1419


  4. Do you want TOTAL lighting control & other special features?

    Common Answers & Recommendations:
    • YES I want the best and most complete systems: You're already thinking about finding a solution to your photography needs, and want to save money by shooting your own high-resolution photos right? So then why not get the best photography systems out there? - We have designed some of our systems to give you the total control and options you need - like a lit rotating platform, high-power spotlight Natural Daylight LED lighting (with light intensity switch), individual light switches & other features. Check out the Photo-eBox PLUS or our ultimate photography lighting system - the MK "The Box" II
    • NO I don't need any fancy features, just the basics: Then we recommend you the basic, small or medium size lighting systems which are the Gem-eBox, Photo-eBox, & Photo-eBox II.

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2. Why should I buy a lighting system?

  1. Simple: Your pictures sells your product, better pictures= better sales.
  2. If you want to increase your sales potential.
  3. You will save time and money by shooting your own photos in-house.

By purchasing our products (lighting systems) you will no longer need a professional photographer to come to your business or for you to send him your products. Now, YOU will be the professional photographer, and will be able to take the same high quality pictures, while avoiding the high prices fees.


If you are a photographer this will allow you to have more customers soliciting your services. You will be able to own your own compact photography lighting studio, take it with you wherever you go and have INSTANT results. Use your pictures in flyers, ads, web sites, catalogs, brochures, business cards, and much more.


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3. How do I install the Lighting System?

  1. Remove any packaging material inside the system that has been used for protection.
  2. Connect your lighting system to the power outlet on the wall (make sure to use a power converter -220 volts - if outside the USA), and flip the switch(es) on!
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4. What is the difference between the three types of Photo-eBox?

The main difference between the Photo-eBox, The Photo-eBox II, and the Photo-eBox PLUS is the following:

  1. Photo-eBox: Complete product photography lighting studio with accuracy and simplicity in mind. Contains only fluorescent lighting, which are controlled simultaneously on/off with 1 switch. This box is the Basic Model, it will not allow you to create shadows and does not contain an jewelry accessory kit.
  2. Photo-eBox II: Complete product photography dual-lighting studio with accuracy and simplicity in mind. Contains fluorescent and halogen lighting, allowing you to picture literally all types of jewelry including Gem stones such as Red Rubies, Amethysts, and orange stones. All the fluorescent lights are controlled with 1 switch, and all halogen are controlled with another switch.
  3. Photo-eBox PLUS: Complete product photography dual-lighting studio with accuracy and total control. Contains fluorescent and halogen lighting, allowing you to picture literally all types of jewelry including Gem stones such as Rubies, Amethysts, and orange stones. Each fluorescent light is turned on/off individually, while all halogen lights are turned on/off with another switch. This box allows you to create shadows in any of your pictures and includes a jewelry accessory kit. (Click on "Included Accessories")
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5. Why do I need to control the separate lighting switches, rather than just using one switch to turn on/off all the lights?

By having the ability to control each fluorescent light separately, rather than turning them all on/off at the same time, the MK lighting systems like the MK Photo-eBox PLUS, MK Photo-eBox PLUS 1419 and MK "The Box" allow you to take professional photographs of your products that have an advertising look to it - allowing you the create shadows and reflections.


What we mean by an "advertising" appearance is the fact that these lighting systems allow you to control the light like a professional photographer.


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6. What is the difference between the Fluorescent and Halogen Lights?

The fluorescent lights are designed to give your lighting system the necessary lighting for photographing most of your products, by giving them a perfect white wrap-around light as well as a perfect white background.


Halogen lighting was incorporated into the MK lighting systems in order to provide the Jewelry industry with a powerful tool to photograph Gem stones and precious stones- which require the special "Yellow light" in order to show their true and natural color. (Fluorescent lighting is not appropriate for photographing gems such as red rubies, amethysts, and orange/red stones). View photos of the effect of halogen


NOTE: Never use the fluorescent and halogen lighting at the same time.


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7. Do I need a power transformer if I'm from outside the USA?

Yes, if you live outside the USA, and your country's voltage is something other than 110 Volts (Like 220 V in Europe and Asia) then you must use a power transformer. Our Lighting Systems only work with 110 Volts, therefore, if you don't get a power transformer you will BURN your lighting system.


NOTE: You might also need a power adapter, to make sure you can plug in our lighting system to your country's wall electricity outlet.


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8. How can I get a FREE brochure of your lighting systems?

Please click on the following link to order a FREE brochure of our products

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Cameras


1. What type of camera can be used with the MK Lighting Systems?

You can use almost ANY Digital Camera, as long as your camera has the following necessary features (for more info on these features please look in your camera manual):


  1. Have a Manual Mode (Drive)- This feature allows you to control the aperture and shutter speed in your camera manually.
  2. Ability to adapt close-up lenses- In order to properly focus your products when photographing at a short distance, you must attach a close-up (macro) lens to your camera. Check your camera's manual to make sure you're able to attach additional lenses to your cameras.
    NOTE: The lens may be composed of a lens adapter and the actual close-up lens
  3. Custom White Balance Capability- This feature allows you to have a perfect white background in your photographs.

View Recommended Digital Cameras Recommended digital cameras

 

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2. How do I set-up my Camera?

In order to set-up your digital camera please visit the following links:
  1. Basic Camera Set-up in 10 Easy Steps

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3. Will my camera work with an MK Lighting System?

Your camera will work as long as it has the 3 main features mentioned in question number 1


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Photography



1. How can I shoot High-Quality photographs?

In order to take High-Quality photographs the most important thing is the right type of lighting for your products. By placing your products inside the MK Lighting Systems, your product will be surrounded by the necessary lighting to provide you an environment with no shadows, hot-spots or reflections; and simply gives you a perfect white background (When all fluorescent lights are turned on at the same time).


Our MK lighting systems were designed to provide you with a clean and complete white background. This will allow you to take professional photographs quick and easy.


In order to take the best possible pictures, you will need to make a few adjustments to your digital camera. Click here to learn how to Setup your Camera in 10 easy steps.(Cameras purchased through MK Digital have been programmed to the appropriate settings).


You may download our free booklet on Digital Photography for the Internet Age and read all the specifications on what you need to know to take High-Quality Photographs. Please visit he following link: Download FREE Digital Photography TIPS


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2. Where can I get free tips on digital photography?

At our MK Digital Website. Please click on the following link in order to download our "Product Photography In the Internet Age", a PDF booklet containing all you need to know about Digital Photography. Download Now


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3. I am unable to take decent photographs, what should I do?

First try our online "Photography Startup Guide" which contains information on the steps required to shoot high quality professional photos. Otherwise, remember that our technical support staff is here to help you solve your problems, call us now at 1-800-258-6230 or Press here to contact us


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4. How to Photograph Jewelry?

In order to photograph jewelry we can teach you the basics of photography and give you tips and tutorials on how to do it: View Tips & How To's on Jewelry Photography


Jewelry Photography Tips:

  1. Jewelry Photography in a nutshell
  2. The Basics: Key elements in jewelry photography
  3. How to photograph silver jewelry, white gold, and platinum jewelry
  4. Avoiding unnecessary shadows and reflections
  5. Positioning your jewelry - Using different jewelry accessories
  6. Positioning your jewelry - Using holding wax
  7. Giving Sparkles to your jewelry using white natural daylight LEDs
  8. Halogen lighting used for photographing red rubies, amethyst, and others.
  9. Artistic jewelry photography by using black and white acrylics
  10. Tools & Accessories used in jewelry photography
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5. Can I take photographs of people/portraits?

No, you cannot take photographs of people with our lighting systems. Our photography lighting systems are intended for photographing products, specially jewelry.


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LED Lighting

Coming Soon...

Ordering,Payments & Shipping



1. How can I place an order?

Most of our orders are placed through the phone, please give us a call to the Toll-Free number 1-800-258-6230 and we will be happy to take your order.


You may also place your order through our Online Store.



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2. What type of payment methods are accepted?

We accept all major credit cards (Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express), Paypal, as well as wire transfers. Note: Customers outside the United States may only pay by wire transfers.


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3. What shipping methods do you offer?

We offer shipping through UPS/ Fed Ex (Next Day, 2nd day, 3rd day, Ground), as well as BAX Global (For International shipments & any order over 65 lbs).

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4. How can I get a shipping quote?

If you would like to get a specific shipping service (Like UPS Next Day, 2nd Day, 3rd Day) or you are from outside the USA that needs an international shipping quote. Please contact us at info@mkdigitaldirect.com, and we'll provide you with a quote. Please include your full shipping address, and the product you would like to order.


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4. What is your return policy?

We have a 30 day money-back-guarantee, if you are not satisfied with our product (30 days from invoice date). Products that are incomplete or in poor conditions may incur a restocking fee.


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Online Store FAQ


1. What payment methods are accepted through the online store?

You may pay with Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express or Paypal

 

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2. What shipping methods are offered?

When purchasing online, the standard shipping method offered is UPS Ground. You may upgrade this shipping method to 3rd day, 2nd day or Next Day Air by contacting us AFTER placing your order online (paying regular UPS Ground shipping) and then paying for the difference in shipping charges (depending on which new shipping method you want).

 

U.S. UPS Ground Map
Business days in transit from: SAN DIEGO, CA 92154 via UPS Ground

This map is a general representation of UPS Ground transit times. Actual shipping time may vary. This map does not guarantee that you'll get your product delivered as noted by the map.

 

Note: Calculated shipping times are calculated from the day the item is shipped, not from the day the item is ordered through our online store. For exact shipping information call us at 1-619-661-0628.

 

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3. I need expedited shipping for my online order, what should I do?

Place your order online (paying regular shipping charges, which cover UPS Ground service) and then contact us and tell us which type of expedited shipping service you would like. We offer 3rd day, 2nd day or Next Day Air shipping via UPS or FedEx. Pay the difference in shipping charges (by phone or through PayPal) and we'll expedite your order.

 

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4. How long does it take for my item to ship out?

Shipping of your item occurs in 1-3 business days after purchase is completed online.

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5. I am an international customer, but want to buy online, can I place an order?

Our online store does not calculate international shipping charges, so please contact us before placing an order. When you contact us, we'll give you a shipping quote and you may then place your order directly with us (over the phone or by email).

 

The second option is:

  1. Place your order online (paying regular UPS ground shipping for the USA, the default payment)
  2. Contact us to get the real shipping price to your country
  3. Pay the difference in shipping charges (over the phone or through PayPal)
  4. We'll ship your items

 

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6. Do I need to pay tax?

Only customers from California, USA will be charged a 7.75% sales tax.

Contact Technical Support


Our goal is to ensure complete product satisfaction. For customer support, feel free to call MK Digital at 1-800-258-6230 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.

Or, submit your questions by entering your name, email, telephone number, product name, and issue you are having in our technical support contact form. Please fill in all required fields and try to include as much details as possible so that we can help you quickly and efficiently.


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