Should I buy a second-hand Packshot photo studio?Opératrice photographiant une chaise haute pour enfant
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February
2025

Should I buy a second-hand Packshot photo studio?

What elements should you take into account when you want to invest in a second-hand packshot photo studio? Lighting kit, photo light box for 2D shooting Or even a complete photo studio with a 360 turntable: here are the answers.

Chloé is the head of a jewelry designer collective in Paris. She just created her online store. To avoid logistical back-and-forth and be more reactive, the entrepreneur decides to Equip herself with an in-house photo studio. That to take his photographs and 360° product animations and those of his collective. Main motivation for this decision: to free herself from logistical constraints and external service providers to create her visuals herself. That's about 200 products to be photographed per month. Products to be revealed using multi-view photos and 360° animations of rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings or pendants...

Photographie de boucles d'oreilles studio photo Packshot d'occasion

Second Hand Photo Studios for Product Photography? Yes, but...

The creations are unique and the acquisition of a complete photo studio should allow him to benefit from complete equipment: Light Box and Integrated 360 Turntable. Another advantage the software that controls the studio. It is the central tool for organizing the photographic production flow. From product positioning, through image processing, to the output of files, and then their integration on a website. The whole process is controlled from a computer screen.

Chloé, after researching existing solutions for Jewelry shooting, decide to acquire one. She goes to classified ads and online sales sites, such as Ebay, Leboncoin or Rakuten. She focuses on two ads offering second-hand packshot photo studios. One of them sells a lightbox with four daylight neon lights and a backlight. Finally, image processing software and an old-generation Canon compact camera are included in this photo studio kit, vintage 2008.

Studio photo Packshot d'occasion
Some offers on the second-hand market offer all-in-one: studio, computer, or even camera. Unfortunately, it is often obsolete equipment

... Several Key Elements Need to Be Taken Into Account

Should she acquire it or invest in a new studio? Several elements must be taken into account in the decision-making process. This varies from the type of product, its complexity, and the quantity to be photographed. The acquisition of an old model at first seems attractive because of the prices charged. However, many technologies will be outdated: lighting, camera models that can be used with the studio or even compatibility of the software with the latest operating systems.

” The second-hand market is not always provided. Most of the systems put on sale on this market have sometimes been in use for more than ten years. At PackshotCreator, we offer a complete range of photo studios. It is aimed at all sectors of activity. Acquiring a photo studio is a long-term investment. This is why most of the studios offered for sale on the second-hand market have already been used for many years. In recent years, numerous innovations have profoundly improved these shooting systems.”, explain Laurent Wainberg Founder and manager of PackshotCreator.

studio photo packshot d'occasion
“A 2008 Packshot shooting system was designed to produce visuals that met the quality standards required at that time.”

What are the reflexes to have?

Over the last 10 years, numerous innovations have marked the world of technology: the gradual arrival of Focus Stacking, progressive and immersive zooms, the management of reflections and transparency, the Color Rendering Index (CRI)... As for shooting technologies, the observation is identical: “a Packshot 2008 shooting system was designed to produce visuals that met the quality standards required at that time. In 2019, standards evolved, as did the demands of Internet users. They always want more quality, richness and visual information. Just like the 2019 model cameras that produce better images, product shooting systems are changing from year to year.”, specifies Laurent Wainberg.

logiciel de photographie de bijoux

Here are the things that Chloé should take into account before making the decision to acquire a used photo studio:

Multi-source LED lighting to highlight complex products

Today, LED lighting is much more efficient than the fluorescent tubes found in older generations of photo studios. LED technology has a longer lifespan than a fluorescent tube. It is 20 to 50,000 hours, compared to 5 to 15,000 hours for fluorescent lamps. Another advantage is their low energy consumption. The absence of significant heating, even with intensive use, is also a decisive factor. “PackshotCreator studios are equipped with a ventilation system. It prevents the lighting system and all components from overheating, even under intensive use.”, explains Océane, PackshotCreator expert. In addition, there is also an instantaneous maximum light intensity. Using different LED light sources from the latest generation studios will allow Chloe to be more effective when shooting complex objects.

The compatibility of packshot photography software

Connecting all shooting equipment, providing a user interface, and managing the entire visual production workflow are the primary tasks of product photography software. The PackshotCreator Software has been constantly evolving since 2004. Addition of new functionalities, evolution of compatibility with new DSLR cameras or with the latest Apple and Microsoft operating systems. “It is difficult, if not impossible, to guarantee the compatibility of an old software version. The buyer of a studio operated by a very old software version that is not updated will necessarily be limited. For example, newer versions of operating systems are not compatible with older camera software.”, adds Ocean.

Compatibilité logiciel photographie de produits
Older operating systems are no longer compatible with newer generations of product photography software

Use the full power of product photography software

The latest models of Software-Controlled Studios Therefore work with the latest operating systems, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. The optimal use of the power of multi-core processors makes it possible to get the most out of new software features. These include, for example, powerful shooting algorithms,360° animation, clipping or even retouching. They make up the entire photographic production flow, the workflow.

A second-hand packshot photo studio driven by an old software version of Product photography Will therefore not be able to meet some of Chloé's needs. In fact, only new or recent Packshot shooting systems meet current needs and standards: image quality, ease of use and productivity.

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FAQS

Assessing the return on investment of a modern packshot studio compared to a used solution requires a multi-dimensional analysis that goes beyond simply comparing initial costs. A modern studio offers exponentially increased productivity thanks to automation and artificial intelligence technologies that are radically transforming the workflow. In concrete terms, a current system can process between 200 and 300 products daily, compared to only 50 to 80 for obsolete equipment. This difference in capacity results in a significant reduction in the cost per image produced, quickly offsetting the higher initial investment. Advanced features such as automatic clipping and intelligent settings significantly reduce the time spent on post-production, allowing human resources to be reallocated to higher value-added tasks. In addition, the superior quality of visuals generated by modern studios contributes directly to improving conversion rates and reducing product returns, two factors that have a measurable financial impact on overall business performance.
The integration of artificial intelligence in modern packshot studios represents a fundamental revolution in the photo production process, transforming every step of the workflow. The AI Photo Assistant automatically adjusts light and camera settings for each type of product, eliminating the need for in-depth technical expertise and ensuring optimal results even for novice operators. The instant clipping feature using artificial intelligence is probably the most significant advance, drastically reducing post-production time and ensuring consistent quality, even for objects with complex contours such as jewelry or transparent products. AI-driven custom templates maintain perfect visual consistency between all the products in a catalog, a crucial element for brand image. Automated batch processing now makes it possible to manage hundreds of products without manual intervention, freeing up human resources for higher value-added tasks. These intelligent automation capabilities not only speed up production but also improve the quality of visuals while reducing operational costs, creating a measurable competitive advantage in a highly competitive e-commerce market.
Legacy packshot studios require constant manual adjustments and image processing in post-production. Conversely, a studio like Orbitvu's ALPHASHOT PRO G2 offers advanced automation: Direct integration with CMS and ERP via formatted exports (CSV, API). Batch capture and processing (up to 300 products/day). Elimination of repetitive tasks (automatic alignment of visuals, reinforcement of contrasts, color corrections).
The seamless integration of modern packshot photo studios with the existing digital ecosystem represents a major strategic asset for e-commerce businesses. These contemporary systems offer native compatibility with major online sales platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce and PrestaShop, allowing for the automated transfer of visuals without additional manipulation. The CSV import feature makes it considerably easier to associate images with product references, eliminating the risk of manual errors and speeding up the upload of new items. Modern studios automatically generate different versions of images that are optimized for each distribution channel, whether it is the proprietary site, marketplaces, or social networks with purchasing functions, each with its own technical requirements. This multi-channel ability to adapt is becoming crucial in a context where the diversification of points of sale is a fundamental element of any effective commercial strategy. Regular software updates ensure a constant evolution of integration capabilities, ensuring compatibility with new emerging platforms and innovative visual formats, in contrast to outdated systems whose fixed connection interfaces significantly limit the possibilities of digital expansion.
The evolution of consumer expectations in terms of product photography has undergone a radical transformation in recent years, redefining e-commerce standards and requiring businesses to constantly adapt their visual strategies. Contemporary online shoppers are no longer content with simple static images; they now require an immersive visual experience that includes high-definition visuals, detailed zooms to explore every aspect of the product, and multi-dimensional representations that facilitate the complete appreciation of the item. This evolution is explained by the desire to compensate for the impossibility of physical interaction inherent in online shopping, as consumers seek to minimize the perceived risk by obtaining as much visual information as possible before finalizing the purchase. Studies show that poor quality imagery can drastically reduce conversion rates, while an optimal visual presentation contributes significantly to the reduction of product returns, a major problem affecting the profitability of e-commerce operations. The multiplication of digital contact points and the diversification of consultation formats (mobile, tablet, computer) are further complicating technical requirements, requiring an adaptive approach that only modern systems can effectively meet.

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