Ripstop Nylon

[BriGuy]

I'm looking for ripstop nylon to make a huge diffusion panel for outdoor portraits. Does anyone know of a good supplier for this material, and what do I need to keep in mind when choosing the denier material I need. What about coated v/s uncoated?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks much.
--

Photography: A sliver of the present captured for the future indulgence of the past.

 

[Michael Fryd]

I got some from:

http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/

Click on 'fabrics' then 'ripstop nylon'.

-Michael

 

[RDKirk]

In the US, it's not an esoteric item. Chaiin fabric stores commonly carry it.

It should be easily available from a number of websites.

I got some from:

http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/

Click on 'fabrics' then 'ripstop nylon'.

-Michael

--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'

 

[Philip Potts219161]

I'm looking for ripstop nylon to make a huge diffusion panel for
outdoor portraits. Does anyone know of a good supplier for this
material, and what do I need to keep in mind when choosing the
denier material I need. What about coated v/s uncoated?

I found the material at Wal-Mart. It was $4.95 per yard. I don't know about the denier designation. Get the uncoated.
--
Philip Potts

 

[Philip Potts219161]

I did a little research about "denier" and came up with this:

"Denier. Weight in grams of 9000 meters of thread. If 9,000 meters weighs 120 grams, it is a 120-denier thread. Many polyester and rayon embroidery threads are 120/2, which equals 2 strands of 120-denier thread for a 240 denier total. Larger denier numbers are heavier threads."

This means that the lower the denier number the lighter the fabric will be. For example, women's hose are a 10 denier. I would think that the lower number would allow for more light passage.

--
Philip Potts

 

[Peter Berressem]

I found the material at Wal-Mart. It was $4.95 per yard. I don't
know about the denier designation. Get the uncoated.
--

A note to 'uncoated' : for portraits / people photography it's okay - when it comes to products it's a different thing. An open source through an uncoated tissue may appear like a ladder (depending on the angle) on glossy surfaces.

--
Kind regards,
Peter B.
(Pardon my English. Still practising)

 

[Bosai]

The denier refers to the weight of the thread and implies nothing about the density of the weave nor of the opacity of the thread

I did a little research about "denier" and came up with this:

"Denier. Weight in grams of 9000 meters of thread. If 9,000 meters
weighs 120 grams, it is a 120-denier thread. Many polyester and
rayon embroidery threads are 120/2, which equals 2 strands of
120-denier thread for a 240 denier total. Larger denier numbers are
heavier threads."

This means that the lower the denier number the lighter the fabric
will be. For example, women's hose are a 10 denier. I would think
that the lower number would allow for more light passage.

--
Philip Potts

--
http://www.martialartsphotography.com/eden.htm

 

[BriGuy]

You know I went to a Wal-Mart looking for this specific material, and they didn't stock it. Their explanation was that it was difficult to sew, and get a good strong seam, and it wasn't popular enough to keep in stock.

I've went to several local fabric shops here and about to no luck other than black, green, yellow, and red, (no white). Of course they could order it, but so can I, only receive it quicker, and cheaper. Funny how because it's an item they normally wouldn't stock, they'll charge you more for ordering it. I guess the reason behind that is stocking the rest knowing it was special order, and may not sell.

Anyway, thanks for the help, and links. Looks like I'll order on line.

I'm looking for ripstop nylon to make a huge diffusion panel for
outdoor portraits. Does anyone know of a good supplier for this
material, and what do I need to keep in mind when choosing the
denier material I need. What about coated v/s uncoated?

I found the material at Wal-Mart. It was $4.95 per yard. I don't
know about the denier designation. Get the uncoated.
--
Philip Potts

--

Photography: A sliver of the present captured for the future indulgence of the past.

 

[Philip Potts219161]

The denier refers to the weight of the thread and implies nothing
about the density of the weave nor of the opacity of the thread

I would contend that the weight of the thread has a great deal to do with the opacity of any given fabric. In the examples of ripstop nylon use the following examples.

70 denier - 1.9 oz per yard. Used for sleeping bag liners, kites, wind socks and other lightweight applications.

430 denier - 7 oz per yard. Used for rain suits, luggage, back packs and the like.

1000 denier - 11 oz per yard. Used for soft sided luggage, go kart race jump suits, etc. Very heavy duty.

The ripstop nylon I bought at Wal-mart is 70 denier and it allows a great deal of light to pass through it. I don't have the other weights but I would think (not know) they would allow less light to pass through. I don't think the weave would have much to do with this unless you are talking about a fishnet weave. Again, this is just my thinking on the subject and I could very well be wrong.

--
Philip Potts

 

[slowhands214238]

Sure glad my local WalMart carries white ripstop nylon...and muslin too.

 

[TMacaw]

I'm looking for ripstop nylon to make a huge diffusion panel for
outdoor portraits. Does anyone know of a good supplier for this
material, and what do I need to keep in mind when choosing the
denier material I need. What about coated v/s uncoated?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks much.
--
Photography: A sliver of the present captured for the future
indulgence of the past.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Must be great variation in what stores carry depending on location. We are a small town but have a JoAnn's fabric store and they usually carry both white and black nylon ripstop (and colors). This post has alerted me (through the Kite store link) to other weights of this same fabric and rasies the question regarding what weight a 'high-end' supplier might use for any type of diffusion panel to get the best result.
TMc