Backdrop Support:Tripods vs. Autopole. Manfrotto vs Westcott vs Photoflex

[snakyjake]

I'd like to purchase a backdrop for cloth and/or paper. This will be in a typical room of my house with fair amount of room and 8 ft ceiling. This will be for photographing family. I want a semi-permanent system (no holes or mounting). I want something sturdy and well engineered, and something that is going to last many years I'm considering tripod stands with a horizontal bar. I'd like something sturdy that doesn't require sand bags. I don't need to be changing backdrops often.

I' think I might like air cushion. I'm considering the Manfrotto 314B, Westcott FJW9014, Photoflex Pro Duty (without cushion), or something in that range.

Manfrotto autopoles might be considered too. But I don't need the conveniences of switching backgrounds, as I presume I can stick with one or two backgrounds. But they also might be sturdier with small kids, or careless adults.

I'm open to opinions and thoughts....

Jake

 

[Phil214757]

I'd like to purchase a backdrop for cloth and/or paper. This will be in a typical room of my house with fair amount of room and 8 ft ceiling. This will be for photographing family. I want a semi-permanent system (no holes or mounting). I want something sturdy and well engineered, and something that is going to last many years I'm considering tripod stands with a horizontal bar. I'd like something sturdy that doesn't require sand bags. I don't need to be changing backdrops often.

I' think I might like air cushion. I'm considering the Manfrotto 314B, Westcott FJW9014, Photoflex Pro Duty (without cushion), or something in that range.

Manfrotto autopoles might be considered too. But I don't need the conveniences of switching backgrounds, as I presume I can stick with one or two backgrounds. But they also might be sturdier with small kids, or careless adults.

I'm open to opinions and thoughts....

Jake

Simple & inexpensive . . .

calumetphoto.com

However if I were to establish a fixed location in a home I'd consider keeping the bar and using a closet rod bracket or hanger, those legs hold the backdrop off the wall and in a small area trip the subjects. Sand bags come into play in the wind, but I can see a fast moving family dog being chased by the kids as an issue too.

 

[Sailor Blue]

However if I were to establish a fixed location in a home I'd consider keeping the bar and using a closet rod bracket or hanger

I like that answer Phil.

An alternative is to use a pair of these DIY autopoles combined with a section of hollow aluminum clothes hanger pole as a crossbar. Instead of attaching the closet rod brackets to the wall attach them to the painter's poles and you have an easy to put up and tear down background support system.

DIY Photography - Super easy hardware store light-backdrop stand

I bought a 12" long 1" corrugated Al tube that is used for clothes hanger poles and it works fine. Bulldog clamps are all that is needed to hold the backdrop cloth on the pole. Here is a picture of my first one with a black backdrop wound around it.







--
Living and loving it in Bangkok, Thailand. Canon 7D - See the gear list for the rest.

 

[lightcatcher2014]

Calumet Photo just announced they are closing their business. I would consider ordering anything from them anymore. Be advised.

The story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/busin...t-photographic-closes-20140313,0,868130.story

Cheers.

 

[Matthew Maurice]

I've had the Manfrotto 1314 kit for years. It's OK. Basically just two standard light stands, a telescoping crossbar with open ends, and 2 mini-claps in a case. It works, but I don't love it. The case doesn't have handles and the non-removable strap obstructs the zippered opening. The crossbar ends have screws that need to be screwed in completely to fit through most cored paper rolls (at least all the Savage rolls I've tried). Also the telescoping sections are, of course, graduated in diameter, so rolls of paper "sit" oddly on it. It's nit-picky, admittedly, but it always slightly annoyed me.

I've pretty much stopped using the crossbar completely. If I need a portable backdrop I use 081 Baby Hooks attached to light stands to hold a paper roll with an Expan drive set inserted. However, that doesn't fix the 1314's biggest flaw (IMO) which is that it adds two more large-footprint light stands to your set. In a large studio it's not an issue, but in smaller spaces having 3-6 stands is not an option. As a result, in my small "studio" (read: spare bedroom) I use the auto-pole/super-clamp/3 roll hook solution, and I'm very happy with it. The poles are very sturdy. Backgrounds are down in a heartbeat and up just as fast. And as an added bonus your paper rolls are "stored" up out of the way when not in use.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Matthew

 

[snakyjake]

Thanks Matthew... How are the autopole's on your ceiling? Do I have to be careful of damaging the ceiling? I'm concerned about marking the ceiling, or worse, punching a hole in the ceiling.

Thanks. Jake.