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Well, it's nearly time for me to purchase my next 'requirement' for the portraiture work that I do, and that's a backdrop system. I'm looking at the following one from ebay which can be seen here.

I'm also going to go to Dragon Images in Artarmon and maybe Vanbar tomorrow.

Anyone had any experience in purchasing this kinda stuff, and/or would like to give some advice or opinion? I figure I can buy material from either somewhere like spotlight OR vanbar/Dragon Images and attach it with big clips to the cross bar of the system seen on ebay.

Soon after this purchase will be a softbox!

I'm building a kit like this soon i think..

Though i think i'll use lighting T-stands and tri leg bases, and alloy pipe as the crossbar, and have velcro tabs across the pipe to support the cyclorama.
Should be able to access the gear cheaply too.

Just a thought i'd had recently..may or may not work...

they are all fairly similar, two light stands, and a cross bar, with a bag, and clips.

If you have a few spare lightstands, you could just buy the bar. I have the manfrotto one, which is great, but they are high price. And the stands are two light to put large lights on (my time again, I would have purchased the manfrotto cross bar, and two heavier stands).

Some cross bars clicked together, and some telescope into each other, with few moving parts.

I just purchased some material from spotlight, 150cm wide, and sew together. This is only a problem if you can see the seam in the shots. 3m wide cloth is expensive, however, if you can find bedding material, you can eliminate the seam since its woven 3m wide.

Geoff,

They're all much of a muchness. Aslong as they're reasonably stable stands, should be fine.

Bruce,

if you keep the background a suitable distance behind your subject, DoF should be able to throw the seam into an OOF state for you.

DIY:

http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/blz/home-made-cheap-diy-backdrop-stand

Thanks for the link Chris, but I'm not really your handy man man
Besides I'd like it to look semi-professional too

Geoff wrote: but I'm not really your handy man man

I know exactly how you feel, Geoff, my wife has more power tools than I do!

I was looking at the exact same thing as well...

But need my lights first.

i just ordered one of those from eBay.. we'll not me but I did a family portrait for a friend and in return asked to be paid by donating some studio equipment.. =) hence a link to that exact item on eBay...

I did the family portraits at a beach - which turned out pretty good.
They've ordered the item and prob will get my hands on them in the next couple of days.. I'll let you know if their any good...

=)


now am looking for some material to go with the stand

Great stuff BlackD200 - look forward to hearing what you think of it etc etc? If you are interested in writing a short evaluation on it I'm sure many of us would appreciate it! Cheers!

anything from dragon image and vanbar would be expensive
if you want to make the investment for the long term go ahead get quality otherwise if your on a budget you can make your own backdrop system
or buy the one on ebay it's very cheap

but don't forget backdrop systems maybe un-necassary with some thought you can do lots with a white wall if its for portraits
or just a curtain rod that you can wrap different coloured materials around and hang.
with certain DOF and exposure settings, it doesnt matter how much crap/dirt/ripples there is on the backdrop material it will just blur out or blow out you won't even see it

I once used this cheap white polyester material it wasnt smooth it had folds and creases on it lots of marks but the final shot slightly overexposed and shallow DOF cancelled out all the background filth
see example


Although for full length you cant really use a wall you will need that(ebay) background system since it allows for the paper to curve down along the ground

woops geoff

sorry i forgot to read the bit that said you want to look semi-professional

Perception is nearly everything in this industry so forget my post and just buy professional looking equipment that thing on ebay looks good enough

I bought my lighting system from these people Geoff and I am very happy with the product