Large DIY reflectors/V flats without Foamcore board?

Hi guys,

So my dilemma is as follows. I was looking into making some large V flats for my studio but I am unable to find pieces of Foamcore big enough. However, I remembered seeing this video (http://kevinkubotablog.com/kubota-blog/2013/6/7/the-diy-panel-diffuser-for-photographers) for building a large DIY diffusor.

My idea now is to build 4 frames as seen in the link (but 4'x8') and cover two with black fabric as a "negative reflector" and 2 with white fabric for a white reflector. They will be connected by Velcro on the sides so they can stand on their own and serve as V flats. They will also be able to be held by an assistant as really large reflectors.

Does anyone see a problem with using them as V-flats? I assume the fabric would do the same thing as the black and white foamcore board correct?

If they are always in the same studio and used as reflectors why not use painted plywood and hinges? These might not work for hand held but on the floor could be OK. Flat black on one side and white on the other if the right hinge to fold both ways is used.

Ceiling paint could work, but be careful about the color. There are many "whites". There are also reflective paints but probably expensive and maybe toxic until dry.

Interior plywood (formaldehyde in the USA) and MDF can have chemicals that bother some people such as me.

Id rather not use plywood because I still want it to be easily movable if I have to move them myself. Plus PVC will allow me to break it down if I need to.

It seems to me your idea would work fine.

It can be hard to find black fabric that absolutely blocks all light coming through it. I don't know if that matters to you. but if you do want black out fabric, it can be bought from Thorlabs. It comes is 4'x8' pieces if I remember correctly.

Last week I was at Home Depot and I noticed they had 4 foot by 8 foot sections of lightweight hollow plastic sheet over in the lumber section, It was marked "Fluted Polypropylene 'Plastic Cardboard' " It is the common type that is used a lot for signs. It cuts super easily with a utility knife in the direction with the internal corrugations. Still easily enough against the corrugations.

OpticsEngineer said:

It can be hard to find black fabric that absolutely blocks all light coming through it. I don't know if that matters to you. but if you do want black out fabric, it can be bought from Thorlabs. It comes is 4'x8' pieces if I remember correctly.

Last week I was at Home Depot and I noticed they had 4 foot by 8 foot sections of lightweight hollow plastic sheet over in the lumber section, It was marked "Fluted Polypropylene 'Plastic Cardboard' " It is the common type that is used a lot for signs. It cuts super easily with a utility knife in the direction with the internal corrugations. Still easily enough against the corrugations.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the information on the "Plastic cardboard." I'll have to go take a look to see if any of my locations carry the stuff. As far as black out fabric, I'm not worried about light coming through it, I just don't want any light reflecting off of it if that makes sense.

Home Depot website shows what is in stock and what is at nearby stores.

The bond of paint to polypropylene is usually bad, like it is to polyethylene. For signs the material is usually corona or flame treated before applying ink or paint.



Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst
750+ inkjet paper white spectral plots: OBA content etc.

Well as interesting as this would have been to go the PVC route, I did happen to find a local supplier with the black AND white foamcore in stock in the size I needed and in the price range I deemed acceptable.