I need help hanging a roll of paper!

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/18/2008 12:16:21 PM · #1

Well, I bought one of these, and I'm not sure how to hang it. It's a 107"x12' roll of white paper for a studio-esque background. If at all possible, I need to be able to get it ready to go for some full body portraits tomorrow!

The thing is pretty heavy (I'm not sure exactly how much it weighs), so it needs some decent support. With the bit of a time crunch I'm in, I'm not opposed to any plan that will make it work. Anybody out there with studio/paper roll experience with ideas?

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

07/18/2008 12:21:15 PM · #2

Put a couple of eye bolts in the ceiling studs then use some U-bolts and cable to string it up. I know idnic did something like that for her studio.

Just a thought. Good Luck!

Message edited by author 2008-07-18 12:21:31.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

07/18/2008 12:23:42 PM · #3

I have a low ceiling, so I just got a 2" pvc pipe and a couple of those hooks you use to hang stuff on the walls. I screwed the hooks into ceiling joists at either end of where the paper would go, put the paper on the pvc pipe, and hung it from the hooks. Works fine for me, but if I had a higher ceiling, I'd probably want a backdrop stand.

07/18/2008 12:35:32 PM · #4

Great ideas, people! Right after I posted I went a-googling and found this. Same kind of thing you guys are talking about, right?

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/18/2008 12:57:05 PM · #5

It's a good idea to have a full length support for the roll. Otherwise, it will begin to sag from its on weight. You can buy a background support kit like the Savage Background Port-A-Stand or the Photoflex Pro-Duty Backdrop Support Kit, or you can make your own. I made mine using two closet shelf & rod brackets and a length of thin-wall steel pipe (the kind that goes at the top of a chain-link fence).

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/18/2008 01:01:09 PM · #6

Originally posted by freakin_hilarious:

Great ideas, people! Right after I posted I went a-googling and found this. Same kind of thing you guys are talking about, right?

..or you can do something like that. :)

The problem with PVC pipe is that it's not very rigid. A heavy roll of paper will eventually sag and deform.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/18/2008 01:13:29 PM · #7

Originally posted by Mick:

The problem with PVC pipe is that it's not very rigid. A heavy roll of paper will eventually sag and deform.

Good point! I may try the PVC for tomorrow and then upgrade to a metal pipe later...

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

07/18/2008 01:39:01 PM · #8

Originally posted by Mick:

Originally posted by freakin_hilarious:
Great ideas, people! Right after I posted I went a-googling and found this. Same kind of thing you guys are talking about, right?

..or you can do something like that. :)

The problem with PVC pipe is that it's not very rigid. A heavy roll of paper will eventually sag and deform.

If the roll is to heavy for PVC (standard schedule 40) then use PVC-Schedule 80, approx 4x as rigid. Schedule 80 pipe is gray in color.

07/18/2008 01:51:55 PM · #9

Great idea, Scott. I didn't know there was such a thing.

.... a video about the right way to hang paper...

07/18/2008 01:59:25 PM · #10

07/18/2008 02:19:58 PM · #11

For some reason I don't want to click on that link...

07/18/2008 02:46:31 PM · #12

Originally posted by freakin_hilarious:

For some reason I don't want to click on that link...

Don't worry, I wouldn't Rick-Roll you.

07/18/2008 02:55:16 PM · #13

I'm not sure I believe you, but I clicked it anyway. Too funny! Thanks for the help!

Konica Minolta MF 85mm f/1.7

07/18/2008 02:56:18 PM · #14

No prob. :-)

briantammy

Olympus PEN E-P3

07/18/2008 03:00:30 PM · #15

i have a question. is that paper very thick or durable? i've wondered about backdrop paper and how long it would last. my concern is that the place where you stand might get damaged or scuffed. what do you think about the one you have?

07/18/2008 03:11:53 PM · #16

That's a fantastic question, Brian, and I'll let you know tomorrow! Since I have had nowhere to hang it, I haven't even opened the tube it was shipped in yet. :)

I have heard that it's thicker and more durable than most people expect.

Konica Minolta MF 85mm f/1.7

07/18/2008 03:16:18 PM · #17

Originally posted by freakin_hilarious:

Won't you be surprised when you finally do open it and it's not white, but plaid or paisley.

briantammy

Olympus PEN E-P3

07/18/2008 03:19:12 PM · #18

thanks, i've also been wanting a big white bg. I found a video shows a guy using flooring. He shows his whole set-up. check this one.

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/18/2008 03:48:36 PM · #19

Originally posted by briantammy:

The rolls that I have are very durable. When the section that people walk on gets too scuffed and dirty, I cut that piece off and unroll a bit more.

One thing to be careful of is moisture. If the air is too damp, the roll will soak up the moisture and loose its smoothness. I noticed this happening to the paper in my garage/studio after it rained for several days. If you live in a place with high humidity, you might want to store your paper inside your home. Of course, if your studio has temperature and/or humidity control, then you will not have this problem.

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/18/2008 05:30:14 PM · #20

Originally posted by freakin_hilarious:

You haven't opened it??!!! Oh my... I learned a valuable lesson about that the hard way :-/ I went to hang a roll of blue marble paper and *surprise!* it was red :( I already had red... it had also already been more than 30 days, no exchanges... *sigh* Now I am STUCK with 2 rolls of red marble haha

07/18/2008 05:35:16 PM · #21

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Won't you be surprised when you finally do open it and it's not white, but plaid or paisley.

Originally posted by TCGuru:

You haven't opened it??!!!

:(

I suck. I pulled it into the house, stuck it by the wall next to the front door, and forgot about it! Hate it when that happens. I certainly hope it is white!

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/18/2008 05:37:42 PM · #22

Originally posted by briantammy:

thanks, i've also been wanting a big white bg. I found a video shows a guy using flooring. He shows his whole set-up. check this one.

Cool video! That's some serious power!

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

07/18/2008 06:57:22 PM · #23

Originally posted by freakin_hilarious:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Won't you be surprised when you finally do open it and it's not white, but plaid or paisley.

Originally posted by TCGuru:
You haven't opened it??!!!

:(

I suck. I pulled it into the house, stuck it by the wall next to the front door, and forgot about it! Hate it when that happens. I certainly hope it is white!

So do I! That would stink if you need it tomorrow and it isn't the right colour :(

But, the chances are only about 1 in 10 that it isn't white, so at least that's a relief huh?