using webcam to take lots of product pics

heppy23

Just trying to start doing my long term plan of thinning down my record collection from about 6000 to about 3000. :eek:

This will hopefully help me get debtfree.

Sold my first record tonight for 1p (note to self, start auctions at an amount that at least covers listing fee and hassle factor).

the bidder said it would be helpful to see a picture of the record.

I plan to try to list ten records at a time (maybe ten a day).
I want to take pics quickly. I've got a digital camera but it's the hassle factor of transferring to pc, renaming/resizing etc.

What I want is a camera set up all the time, stick a record in front of it, click on computer to capture a pic then move onto next one.

Does such a thing exist?

tightasagnatschuff

Having sold a lot of records on ebay myself I would recommend using the digital camera rather than a webcam. Record buyers are a meticulous bunch and the better the picture the more increased likelyhood of a sale. Give as much detail as possible in the listing and use a recognised grading system.

An idea for ease ... take the pictures then connect camera to pc with USB cable or whatever, upload the pictures directly from the camera instead of transferring to your pc and if you need to crop use the facility within ebay listing rather than editing first.

Any other help I can give (e.g. cheap record mailer suppliers, grading, etc) just let me know.

Mr_Squiddy

Someone will no doubt correct me on this if I am wrong, but I think the maximum size for eBay pics is 400 pixels by 300. Therefore you can save some uploading time by setting your camera to that resolution, or as close as you can get it. I would also try and set things up so that you can avoid using a flash because that can be a nightmare with shiny LP/CD sleeves. Either find a really bright light source and/or a tripod for the camera, or wait for a calm day (rare at the moment) and photograph the items by a window or outside.

What sort of records are you selling?

heppy23

tightasagnatschuff wrote:

Having sold a lot of records on ebay myself I would recommend using the digital camera rather than a webcam. Record buyers are a meticulous bunch and the better the picture the more increased likelyhood of a sale. Give as much detail as possible in the listing and use a recognised grading system.

An idea for ease ... take the pictures then connect camera to pc with USB cable or whatever, upload the pictures directly from the camera instead of transferring to your pc and if you need to crop use the facility within ebay listing rather than editing first.

Any other help I can give (e.g. cheap record mailer suppliers, grading, etc) just let me know.

I plan to use the record collector grading scheme as I am fairly familiar with that. If anything I always say things are worse than they are rather than overestimating them. Do you recommend pics of sleeve and labels or does it depend on the record?

Could do with a source of mailers. Last ones I got were about 6 years ago when I first tried starting selling records. Send me an IM if you don't want to put a link on here.

heppy23

Mr_Squiddy wrote:

Someone will no doubt correct me on this if I am wrong, but I think the maximum size for eBay pics is 400 pixels by 300. Therefore you can save some uploading time by setting your camera to that resolution, or as close as you can get it. I would also try and set things up so that you can avoid using a flash because that can be a nightmare with shiny LP/CD sleeves. Either find a really bright light source and/or a tripod for the camera, or wait for a calm day (rare at the moment) and photograph the items by a window or outside.

What sort of records are you selling?

That makes sense to take pics at ebay size. The PC is by a south facing window so i might rig up a shelf to hold the records while I take the pics.

I'm selling all sorts. Bought a lot of dance/rap/acid jazz/funk in the late 80s and early 90s and I need the space (and money!)

nightswimmer

heppy23 wrote:

I'm selling all sorts. Bought a lot of dance/rap/acid jazz/funk in the late 80s and early 90s and I need the space (and money!)

If the records are small enough, another alternative to using a camera is to use a scanner (if you have one).

heppy23

nightswimmer wrote:

If the records are small enough, another alternative to using a camera is to use a scanner (if you have one).

Good idea but most are 12". Would still be good for small ones and also ones in plain sleeves where I want to show the label instead.

ucjtckc

You could take pictures with your camera and then post them to a photo hosting site such as photobucket or imageshack. When creating your listing click the HTML tab on the Ebay form and paste in the links to the hosted files - that way you can show as many pics as you like without relying on the gallery. It's a cheaper way to show you buyers pictures of the products without paying massive amounts in Ebay Gallery fees.

kriss_boy

ALWAYS take pictures in rooms with a lot of light rather than in a room with the light on or with the cameras flash.

I pretty much take most pics outdoors where possible. Especially pics of my guitars as outdoors without a flash the guitars look smooth and sleek... indoors with a flash any small scratch of chip gets lit up.

I'll take a picture of each to show you.

Moneyfornothing_2

kriss_boy wrote:

ALWAYS take pictures in rooms with a lot of light rather than in a room with the light on or with the cameras flash.

I pretty much take most pics outdoors where possible. Especially pics of my guitars as outdoors without a flash the guitars look smooth and sleek... indoors with a flash any small scratch of chip gets lit up.

I had this problem when I purchased a new digital camera, it is so good (compared to my old one) it shows EVERY little detail including some you struggle to see with the naked eye.
Despite being a clearer photo it can make some items look worse. :rolleyes:

kriss_boy

Moneyfornothing wrote:

I had this problem when I purchased a new digital camera, it is so good (compared to my old one) it shows EVERY little detail including some you struggle to see with the naked eye.
Despite being a clearer photo it can make some items look worse. :rolleyes:

Yup using the flash produces an unrealistic representation of the item. Because we dont look at things with powerful lights attached to our eyes!!!

Just turn the flash off and take the pictuce in a well lit room or outside.

If its dark outside 99% of the time Ill just wait till the morning to get some decent sunlight as with guitars one could sell for 800 and another 1000. The only difference being one has gastly pics taken with the flash turned on.