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 04/21/2012 12:17:42 PM · #1
15 mins and $9 later i have my own backdrop holder.

3- 10ft length of 1" pvc, 2 elbows and 2 tees. i may need to add a bottom brace but its pretty sturdy now and breaks down to fit in the closet in about 2 mins.

now i just need to wait till tomorrow for my 40% coupon to activate so i can get some backdrops at the fabric store.

04/21/2012 12:56:06 PM · #2
Very nice...I'm interested in seeing the final results.

...but this is a photography website. We need pics! :-D
 04/21/2012 01:03:46 PM · #3
Originally posted by mike_311:
15 mins and $9 later i have my own backdrop holder.

3- 10ft length of 1" pvc, 2 elbows and 2 tees. i may need to add a bottom brace but its pretty sturdy now and breaks down to fit in the closet in about 2 mins.

now i just need to wait till tomorrow for my 40% coupon to activate so i can get some backdrops at the fabric store.


Link to instructions? I'm tired of hanging fabric from my ceiling fan. LOL!
 04/21/2012 06:51:56 PM · #4
Sounds like it would be something like this, though I see the need for two more 10' lengths for the bottom feet.

Note that, without glue, the PVC pipe can slip/rotate at the joints. After assembling, before hanging the cloth/paper, I'd either tape over the joints with a couple of layers of duck tape, or else, when building the thing the first time, drill through the joints (while clamped in proper position) and then, when assembling, put bolts/wingnuts through the joints to secure.

04/22/2012 07:14:11 AM · #5
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Sounds like it would be something like this, though I see the need for two more 10' lengths for the bottom feet.

Note that, without glue, the PVC pipe can slip/rotate at the joints. After assembling, before hanging the cloth/paper, I'd either tape over the joints with a couple of layers of duck tape, or else, when building the thing the first time, drill through the joints (while clamped in proper position) and then, when assembling, put bolts/wingnuts through the joints to secure.



that's pretty much it. the two vertical legs are 7ft tall so you have three extra feet per piece to make the feet (1.5 on each side) and the op cross bar was cut down to 8ft so i fits in my room. the joints are pretty tight they don't slip right now. i may add a cross bar on the bottom just to stabilize the vertical posts. and angle brace would be much more stable, but not sure they sell a connector that will allow me to do it. at 10ft wide there is a slight sag but its much stiffer at 8ft wide. one could always add a middle post to hold it up if you had a really heavy piece of fabric.

pics are coming.
 04/22/2012 10:50:14 AM · #6
pics:

put together:


disassembled:
04/22/2012 10:59:17 AM · #7
Great job! I'm going to get hubby to make me one.
 04/22/2012 11:14:12 AM · #8
muslin is in the wash now... cant wait to try it out.

i went and bought a stand and umbrella, got my second flash... photo session this afternoon!

04/22/2012 11:42:03 AM · #9
I've been wanting to build something like this for months. Maybe now that I've seen how easy it is, I'll finally find the time to do it.
 04/22/2012 12:15:55 PM · #10
Originally posted by GinaRothfels:
I've been wanting to build something like this for months. Maybe now that I've seen how easy it is, I'll finally find the time to do it.


I would go with 2" pipe though, it would be a lot more rigid and less prone to sagging under weight. The one mike has build right now will need a something across the verticals to keep the legs from spreading apart, and a I would put put angled braces in as well to keep it from rocking. Both of those will require something to secure the joins. If you want to easily dismantle it, then some bolts and wingnuts would be pretty simple.
 04/22/2012 12:36:06 PM · #11
2" pipe will be a lot heavier -- it really depends on the weight you want to hang if 1" will do. I also recommend the bolt/wingnut method of assembly, but I'd try to not secure where the verticals enter the T-connector, so that the feet can be splayed out in front if desired:

04/22/2012 02:09:44 PM · #12
i was going to use 2" but because the pipe is heavier it sags just as much. so i decided to go with the 1" since it was lighter and cheaper. the verticals would be stronger and more rigid though if that's important to you. i would suggest 3" if you don't want any sag at that point though you may as well just hang it from the ceiling.

2" inch pipe is about ~$5 for a 10' length, the 1" was ~$2.

i just finished using it and its worked really well. its not pro by any means but for $9 you can not beat its worth.

plus, at $2 a length you could just leave your backdrop on it and store them rolled on it and just buy one for each backdrop to make switching really easy.

Message edited by author 2012-04-22 14:12:20.
 04/22/2012 02:17:04 PM · #13
That's very inexpensive! It also occurs to me that with a couple more T-connectors you could cut the verticals into segments and make the height adjustable, or buy another piece of pipe and make extenders and maybe a second crossbar.
 04/22/2012 02:38:09 PM · #14
Originally posted by mike_311:
i was going to use 2" but because the pipe is heavier it sags just as much. so i decided to go with the 1" since it was lighter and cheaper. the verticals would be stronger and more rigid though if that's important to you. i would suggest 3" if you don't want any sag at that point though you may as well just hang it from the ceiling.

2" inch pipe is about ~$5 for a 10' length, the 1" was ~$2.

i just finished using it and its worked really well. its not pro by any means but for $9 you can not beat its worth.

plus, at $2 a length you could just leave your backdrop on it and store them rolled on it and just buy one for each backdrop to make switching really easy.


It's got to work better than clamping your material to your ceiling fan blades! ;D
 04/22/2012 02:56:34 PM · #15
Originally posted by GeneralE:
That's very inexpensive! It also occurs to me that with a couple more T-connectors you could cut the verticals into segments and make the height adjustable, or buy another piece of pipe and make extenders and maybe a second crossbar.


that's a great idea with the adjustable height. i did think about the second cross bar though but since im going to keep it stored i didn't want to go crazy.
 04/25/2012 05:11:01 PM · #16
I plan on building one of these today. Going to have a middle T fitting on the vertical pipes so I can drape at 4' or 7' and plan to attach the backdrop with 2 spring clamps. I am planning an outdoor shoot with it so the portability of this seems perfect.

Have a few questions
1. How long are your legs (the legs that sit on the ground)
2. How wide is it? The horizontal length
3. If I walk into Hobby Lobby and ask for Muslin would they know what I am talking about?
4. Why do photographers use Musln?

Message edited by author 2012-04-25 17:12:01.
 04/25/2012 05:19:11 PM · #17
I also plan to use 3/4" pipe because I have an aquarium project that will require 3/4" PVC to plumb so I can use the drop/extra for that. I'll have to check how sturdy 3/4" is though.
 04/25/2012 05:21:50 PM · #18
i had an idea to do similar with 22mm metal electrical conduit but in testing wasnt upto holding 2.7 seemless paper back drops bought a £100 kit, has two massive stands than double as light stands and go to 3.5 metres high and the cross bar extends to 4.2 metres, but this is a good simple fix, are you going to fix the muslin with clamps?
 04/25/2012 05:23:31 PM · #19
Originally posted by Giles_uk:
i had an idea to do similar with 22mm metal electrical conduit but in testing wasnt upto holding 2.7 seemless paper back drops bought a £100 kit, has two massive stands than double as light stands and go to 3.5 metres high and the cross bar extends to 4.2 metres, but this is a good simple fix, are you going to fix the muslin with clamps?


Yes, plan to attach Muslin with clamps
 04/25/2012 05:28:14 PM · #20
Originally posted by SEG:
4. Why do photographers use Musln?

It is cheap, available, washable, fairly white, and comes in wider widths than most fabrics (it's used for sheets, drape backing, etc.) -- most fabrics intended for garment construction come in widths of 36-60 inches, with most at about 45 inches ... not good for a backdrop because you'd need a seam/overlap in most cases to get enough width.
 04/25/2012 05:28:39 PM · #21
i might make a 6'x3' reflector using this system, any suggestions for good fabric to use as a white reflector, have to be something thinker than a bed sheet wont it?
 04/25/2012 05:31:22 PM · #22
Do you guys think 7' high and 9' wide is a good length?
 04/25/2012 05:34:37 PM · #23
Originally posted by Giles_uk:
i might make a 6'x3' reflector using this system, any suggestions for good fabric to use as a white reflector, have to be something thinker than a bed sheet wont it?

White vinyl (used for upholstery) would be opaque, reflective, and heavy. Silver lame would be more reflective. If you want a more diffuse reaction try something like white velvet/velveteen or brushed denim. A nice white bedsheet (or bleached muslin or canvas) would probably suffice and save some (a lot of) money -- I don't think it needs to be completely opaque to be effective. I'd certainly start at the low end and work up as the results indicate (if necessary).
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