Buying a backdrop stand today. Any last-minute recommendations?

Priorities, in order of priority:

• Portable
• Inexpensive
• Well-Built

I put 'well-built' last becuase I have a tight budget, and I really need a portable one to take with me to use outdoors next weekend. It looks like the ones in my price range ($100-150) have a lot of reviews as being a little flimsy. I will be using primarily 10x20ft backdrops. I currently have a black one and a white one...they're basically huuuugee sheets. Not real sure where I will go in the future, as I am just starting out with the backdrop thing.

Anyway, any ideas? What stands do you use?

 

There was a PDF out there somewhere showing how to buildyour own backdrop from PVC tubing... wish I had kept the link. Anyways it was relatively stable, VERY portable and by looking at it, quite well built. It was also under $75 if I recall correctly?

 

http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2749

is this the one you have? Now, the question is... silver, or black?

 

I just read resellerratings and got scared...

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/amvona

Maybe i'll stick with trusty ol' B&H. Can't go wrong with B&H.

 

I got this one from Adorama:
http://www.adorama.com/PFBDSK.html

I had tried the PVC route before deciding to shell out some cash. It worked, but it was flimsy and I couldn't really justify charging people who would come over and see PVC and ask them to spend a few hundred $ on pictures. I never used PVC for a paid session but did use it around the house. I'm lucky I never knocked my daughter out with it. It's a good idea if you are using something like 2" diameter, but the 10-12' span is where the problem lies.

 

I found this JTL
http://www.adorama.com/JTB1012.html
looks pretty good, great reviews, looks nice, etc.

Now I'm looking into a white seamless roll. I see a #28 and a #50. What do the numbers mean?

 

Out of Stock...

 

I went with an Impact brand from BH (using link up top of course) and it cost $99. It had 4.5/5 reviews. The hits against it were complaints about the bar sagging when a heavy roll was on it. Due to this, and Big Mike's practical and useful sarcasm, I'll probably hold off on the rolls for now. If I use them, they would be used in my "studio" and I could find a less-portable, more-durable system for that.

Well thanks for the help!

 

Never mind I did not read your post above sorry maybe some one else will find it use full in a search ha
I got this one http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=35478 it is a little above your price range 190 I think and they always say out of stock because they are nest to the distributer or so they told me when I ordered mine and it took them one day to ship. this thing is huge and built like a tank. and can hold 12x24 canvas without a problem and never wavers. it is also here http://www.adorama.com/PFBDSK.html