I stumbled upon this speed modelling video by tolas - watch as he models an Aimpoint rifle sight in 3D: Speedies Theme 2 x50 from tolas on Vimeo . Watching this video is gives you an idea of how to model in 3D from photographic reference, (at 50X the normal speed!) Rendered with fryrender SP1:
3D and V-Ray tutorials, news, experiments. And some Swift too.