Does anybody here use a portable backdrop system for large paper rolls for portraits?

[PeK77]

I purchased a 107" paper roll for portraits and I'm looking for a stand and crossbar kit to hold the weight. I would hope to have the crossbar be expandable so it would also be able to hold smaller rolls. Does anybody here use a portable setup that you would recommend?

I'd love to be able to take small setups into family members homes so I'm not sure I would like the auto pole option.

 

[runnah]

I use the dynatran background support system. Its good an rugged. I am not sure if they make it anymore.

But most crossbar systems are decent.

 

[Derrel]

I have a Bogen Auto Pole setup, with three crossbars, the multi-roll hook and the Bogen expan drive chain drive system, and also the additional support "tripods" or "leg braces" or whatever they are called. I also have long strips of velcro taped to the top of two of the crossbars, so fabrics can be just velcro-attached, and not require clamps, or seamed curtain-styler "pockets" to be attached to a crossbar. Overall, the Auto Pole system works...it's probably 15 years old now, and has never failed to deliver.

One of the benefits of it is with the right grip equipment (clamp) you can use one, or both, of the poles to mount lights to, which can save space, and eliminate needing another lightstand for a separation or kicker light. One piece of advice though: put a small square of thick paper on the top suction cup before you expand the pole, especially on OLD paint. It does not absolutely require that the poles be expanded and wedged between the ceiling and the floor--IF you have the support legs for the poles. In an area where there is going to be a lot of people present, like say at big group event, or whatever, I use BOTH the poles AND the leg supports, as insurance against an accident.

 

[PeK77]

I'm wondering if it may not make sense to cut the 36 feet into 2 or 3 separate papers using one at a time on a different role. Although I'm guessing there is something to be said for the weight.

Maybe a pipe of some kind or just roll it up and over the pipe and to the ground as needed. This will be the first time with a backdrop!

 

[KmH]

Like this? - Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide

Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide 3046 B&H Photo Video

 

[Derrel]

I bought a very similar background stand and crossbar which I donated with a Speedotron D402 power pack and three M90 light units and three light stands and some other stuff to the Portland, Oregon Focus On Youth photography education program for disadvantaged youth. I was pleased at how well-made the Impact stands and crossbar were...pretty good really.

Focus on Youth | Changing the lives of Portland youth

This type of two-stand + multi-section, thread-together crossbar kit is an item that the China-based lighting gear makers have managed to commoditize quite well. The better ones have air-cushioned stands. Like runnah mentioned above, these days "most crossbar systems are decent". The Auto Pole type system is one thing...the 2 stands and a crossbar thing is MUCH easier, as in MUCH easier, to transport.

 

[PeK77]

Like this? - Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide

Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide 3046 B&H Photo Video

KMH - do you use either of those? I was looking at the Manfrotto bc he stands would nest with my flash stands but it's like $271. It would be nice to save some $$ on this buy.

 

[PeK77]

I bought a very similar background stand and crossbar which I donated with a Speedotron D402 power pack and three M90 light units and three light stands and some other stuff to the Portland, Oregon Focus On Youth photography education program for disadvantaged youth. I was pleased at how well-made the Impact stands and crossbar were...pretty good really.

Focus on Youth | Changing the lives of Portland youth

This type of two-stand + multi-section, thread-together crossbar kit is an item that the China-based lighting gear makers have managed to commoditize quite well. The better ones have air-cushioned stands. Like runnah mentioned above, these days "most crossbar systems are decent". The Auto Pole type system is one thing...the 2 stands and a crossbar thing is MUCH easier, as in MUCH easier, to transport.

Thanks for the info. It would be nice to save some $$ on this purchase. The Manfrotto would best with my might stands but it's $271

 

[KmH]

Like this? - Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide

Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide 3046 B&H Photo Video

KMH - do you use either of those? I was looking at the Manfrotto bc he stands would nest with my flash stands but it's like $271. It would be nice to save some $$ on this buy.

They are both the same. The ones at Amazon are used, and somewhat less expensive than the new ones at B&H Photo Video.

I have that Impact background support set up in my small upstairs personal studio. I have had that support set up for 4 years now.
I use it with 107" and 53" Savage seamless paper.

 

[PeK77]

Like this? - Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide

Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide 3046 B&H Photo Video

KMH - do you use either of those? I was looking at the Manfrotto bc he stands would nest with my flash stands but it's like $271. It would be nice to save some $$ on this buy.

They are both the same. The ones at Amazon are used, and somewhat less expensive than the new ones at B&H Photo Video.

I have that Impact background support set up in my small upstairs personal studio. I have had that support set up for 4 years now.
I use it with 107" and 53" Savage seamless paper.

KMH - if you were transporting them a lot and putting them up and down does it seem like the hardware would have durability? Setting and forgetting is one thing - I just want to make sure the screws would be solid with wear and tear and not strip with continual setting up and moving.

 

[Derrel]

I do not think you need to be worried about the screws stripping out. Just do not "reef them down" when setting up....close them firmly, and you're good to go. This is a design issue that's been worked out years ago. "IF" a light stand of this type does have an issue, a hose clamp,. or 5,6 wraps of masking tape will hold it in place for dayyyyys.

The inexpensive background stands are a VERY,very low-tech item that the Chinese have well mastered; there's no need for expensive European-made stands to hold up a background support bar...this is the exact kind of product that China's burgeoning manufacturing industry now makes very well--simple, proven designs on a simple, old-time product that does not require high technology solutions and which is super-easy to check and confirm for QA...the Impact brand background kit surprised me with its quality. It's perfectly "fine".

 

[KmH]

There is no location info in your profile.

The less stuff costs, the less durable it usually is.
Like Derrel says, the Impact support stands will work fine if you do not over-tighten any of the section clamps and use care transporting, setting up, and taking down the supports.
Since you will be setting up in other people homes, will will also need some weight bags to minimize the chance of the supports falling over.

I don't take mine out of that studio space, but I do reconfigure it or move it around in the space some several times a month.

Or you could spend 8x more and buy a professional grade set up.
This is where I did a lot of my studio gear shopping - Products - MSE - Matthews Studio Equipment

 

[PeK77]

There is no location info in your profile.

The less stuff costs, the less durable it usually is.
Like Derrel says, the Impact support stands will work fine if you do not over-tighten any of the section clamps and use care transporting, setting up, and taking down the supports.
Since you will be setting up in other people homes, will will also need some weight bags to minimize the chance of the supports falling over.

I don't take mine out of that studio space, but I do reconfigure it or move it around in the space some several times a month.

Or you could spend 8x more and buy a professional grade set up.
This is where I did a lot of my studio gear shopping - Products - MSE - Matthews Studio Equipment

As always, Thank you to both Derrel and KmH for your thoughts.