Compact DSLR Photobooth

I built a compact DSLR Photo Booth for any kind of event. Can be used on a tripod or table top. Great for smaller events. I also have a photo printer I use with this setup.

And I wanted more than an ipad and ring light setup....

Here's my list (Some items are product/model specific. Confirm you purchase items that are compatible with your equipment!)

1. Case: Hobby Lobby Trunk Box
2. Camera: DSLR (confirm it is compatible with the photobooth software you want to use)
3. Flash : Originally Canon 430EXII. For the retro look, I swapped to : Godox Lux Master
4. PC: HIGOLEPC Mini PC (7" screen, to fit inside case)
5. Photo Booth Software: I use Sparkbooth, but other great ones out there.
6. Mini Keyboard (Wireless)
7. Buck Converters
8. x1 of 12A
9. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071CWMRYD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
10. X2 of 3A
11. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076H3XHXP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
12. Camera Mount: Neewer z-flex tilt head
13. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W2W7N5R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
14. plexiglass sheet
15. One of these adapters, depending on your equipment:
16. Speedlight Sync Cord (canon speedflash)
17. Flash Hot shoe adapter (Godox flash)
18. Battery Eliminator USB power supply (for the flash)
19. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNQ7W4V2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
20. Dummy battery AC power adapter kit (note, this link is for specific models, be sure to purchase what you need)
21. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1GP2AL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
22. 12V 10A Power Brick
23. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087LY94T6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
24. DC-099 Jack socket
25. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09H5L3KN5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
26. USB extension cable
27. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BDWV1BCV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
28. A few usb cords, usb hub, extra wiring, screws/bolts and other hardware
29. Soldering equipment + heat shrink

Ok, this project...I had some of this stuff laying around. Some items I bought used or found at cheaper prices. I had fun with it, while aiming for a goal

I didn't really have a hard plan when building this...I wanted to see if I could make a small/light DSLR Photo Booth, and it evolved from there as I figured out how to piece everything together.

Heck, I still need to figure out what I can do with the printer (I use a table for now)

I removed the bottom of the trunk, this will be the front of the booth. I fit in the mini pc, then cut the plexiglass to fill in the rest of the front.

Then it was time to figure out where to cut the hole in the plexi for the camera lens.

I installed the camera mount to the top (what I referred to now as the top) of the trunk, then mounted the camera to see where the lens would line up.

Then drilled a 3" hole according to where everything lined up. Yeah, very technical

I then figured out where I want my power adapter and usb port to go, then drilled and added those.

Because I removed the bottom of the trunk, I removed some rigidity. I added some brace supports at each corner to keep the box from collapsing on me

Now I needed to fit everything.

The 3 larger parts: PC, Camera, Speedlight:

1. Mini PC: This doesn't take up too much space inside the box, so that's a plus
2. Camera: I already had a spot, based on where I was able to mount the bracket (yes, upside down: You can correct for this in your photo booth software settings)
3. Speedlight: Took some figuring to find a good place for this.
4. I installed a bolt, which screwed onto the speedlight sync cord mount

Then there were all the other bits, mainly the:

1. USB hub: Mounts nicely out of the way, behind the mini pc
2. Buck Converters: I ended up mounting these on a piece of plexi, then in the upper right corner of the box
3. The wiring:

This next section assumes you have some background electrical knowledge.

Since there is limited space available inside the box and I did not want a bunch of cords and power bricks hanging out the back with a rats nest of AC power cords plugged into a power strip, I got rid of the Power Bricks.

I needed to plug in the Mini PC, Camera and Speedlight. And maybe some RGB's later on.

1. First step was to figure out the Voltage and Current each item requires. This can be done by looking for the "Output" rating on the power bricks.
2. The example in the picture, the DSLR Power Adapter is rated at 7.4V 2A
3. PC Power adapter Rated at 12V 3A
4. Speedlight = 6V 3A : The speedlight takes four of AA batteries. An AA battery is about 1.2 to 1.5V each, multiplied by 4, so about 4.8V to 6V range total. For the current, not exactly sure, but we'll call it 3 amps (An AA battery can surge to over 2 amps for short periods)
5. What you do now is:
6. Voltage: Find the highest voltage needed, so 12V (for the PC).
7. Current: Add everything up: 2A + 3A + 3A = 8Amps.
8. ---I need at least a 12Volt / 8Amp Power Supply---
9. Now, you'll need to figure out the specs of the buck converters you'll need
10. Google how these work, you need to know how they work to use them correctly

I ended up purchasing:

1. 12Volt 10Amp Power Supply- This 1 power brick is enough to power all the electronics.
2. 3 Amp Buck converters
3. 12Aamp Buck converter (I bought this for the speedlight because the 3A buck would get a bit warm during use)

I did some light soldering and shrink tubing to connect as follows:

1. Power Brick connects to the barrel plug input, then to:
2. Mini PC (Because the Supply is 12V and the Mini PC requires 12V input)
3. Two Buck Converters, which are then connected to:
4. Camera (set to 7.4V)
5. Speedlight (now the external flash) (Set to 5.8V)

Don't forget to wire up the other parts:

1. Connect the USB hub to the PC
2. DSLR: Connect the USB cable between your camera and the PC/hub
3. Flash/speedlight: Connect the sync cable between your flash and the hot shoe mount
4. External USB port (on the outside of the box): Connect to PC/hub
5. Mini Wireless keyboard: Connect the USB dongle to the PC/hub

When I originally made this, I wanted a small, compact photo booth, so I put a speedlight inside the box (hidden). I then placed a sheet of paper (very pro, I know) behind the plexiglass to act as a light diffuser/softbox.

This (surprisingly) works very well. Even with the lens in the way a bit, the light fills the frame very nicely. Not studio quality, but looks pretty good.

However, I wanted to have a vintage look to my booth, and I had my eye on this Godox flash.

So I simply added a bracket to the outside, which the Godox flash mounts to. I drilled a hole in the box to connect the power and sync cables.

And now it has that vintage / retro look!

For the tripod, I created a base in which I can set the booth onto.

There are two threads sticking out, (the coiled cord hides it in the 2nd photo, sorry)

1. These line up the booth to sit on the base correctly.
2. I then use a wingnut to secure the box to the base (threads extend into the box)

Not shown here, I also have a printer that I connect to the external USB port.

Right now, this sits outside the box on a table that I happen to have. My next step is to find a better matching table or build a base on the tripod that can hold the printer.......

Additional Notes:

1. I use Sparkbooth software. There is other great photo booth software out there as well.
2. I have a Dye Sub Printer (DNP). This prints photo strips in like 10-12 seconds
3. For a long time, I used an all in one printer, bought ink and 4x6 photo paper on amazon... this is a great lower cost method.
4. I have some backdrop curtains and a frame....I'm looking into investing in the "pillow case" style backdrops.

For events, I offer the following:

1. Photo Strips
2. QR code for guests to download and share photos (near) instantly. (Need WiFi / internet connection at venue)
3. PROPS-- Oh, don't forget the props!