For those that don't go to the AK forum, here is what my two redundant cents wre posted as:
I constructed a very sturdy portable cove (I actually have 2, a 50x30x30cm, and a 20x20x20) out of black foam-core. Onto this is clipped a piece of white photo seamless, that is changed out whenever needed. The sides are white strathmore board, and can easily be removed.
I use two drafting lamps
each with 5500K (90 Color Rendition when I can find them), 100w spiral flourescent, AND a 5500K/Daylight flourescent "ring" bulb. I like my shadows a bit harder, so I do not use a diffuser on the lamps ( I also like my light to come more from front/above, down onto the model). When I need some more top "fill" or bounced light; I place a board with some wrinkled foil (dull side out) mounted on it at an angle over the rear top of the cove; or hold/clip one low in front, for front/low shadow fill.
When I shoot white styrene parts (especially small parts that can be shot without needing a cove; like above), I place them on a photo "Grey Card".
I shoot with a SONY SLT A57, 18-55mm lens, I almost always use a lens hood, to prevent cross light on the lens. Indoors with the above set-up, I set the camera to "Aperature Priority", white balance at 5500 to 5600K (I check/set the white balance before each shoot). "F-stop" is usually 29 or higher, ISO-100. I set my shot format to bracket the white balance (original, cooler, warmer.)Depending on what the photos will be for I shoot either JPEG ("Fine" setting)...or like Rick, JPEG/RAW. Both will give a 350pix resolution.
I always use either a timer-release (when both hands need to be in front of the lens for SBS); or a cable, or remote release otherwise.
I also like to connect the camera to a power source (that way the screen stays on much longer, and I do not have to worry about messing around setting stuff up, while the screen keeps going dark, or the battery runs out).
Lastly, I will often also keep my laptop nearby, and connect the camera to it, before changing a set-up/cleaning up; that way I can see the image(s) in a large format/screen as soon as I have shot them.
The nice thing about the portable coves is that they are very light and easy to move, and allow me to shoot directly on my workbench, as well as easily take them outside when I want to shoot in the sunlight.
