Backdrops

I am looking to buy a backdrop that is portable (so no paper rolls) and could be used in my garage when I convert to a studio as well.
Does anyone on here have a backdrop, if so, which make? what colour do you use (I am looking at dark grey or black initially and then possibly a whot fo hi-key work), and what do you think of it.
I have a short list of interfit (reasonable price) or Calumet (more expensive but seems solid) but open to other options.
Also, it wider, better? Or go for narrower. Most shots I will take will be single or pairs, but oaccasionally 4-6 people.

So, c'mon guys let me know.

I know I have put this in general chat, but there is nowhere else to put it....

so are you thinking of muslin or vinyl. muslin needs ironing alot, vinyl is easier and cleans easy,
look at this.
black
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2m-x-4m-Black-Low-Key-Photographic-Background-Vinyl-/25071...
grey
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2m-x-6m-Midtone-Grey-Photographic-Backdrop-Photo-Vinyl-/25...
white
they normaly do white to.

i use both muslin and vinyl

white,black,blue.

Any old bits of cloth, old sheets etc will suffice for starters, dont worry about creases, just keep the model well forward of it and throw it out of focus.

end of roll vinyl flooring, paint the back white... perfect for the garage...

sheets.
Curtians.
Table cloths.
fabric..
painted wall

anything works.

Two thin sheets of plywood on a 2x1 inch frame. (door type construction) Paint each side however you want. Lean against wall to use.

If it needs to be portable then get to your local market and buy some black velvet or similar. You can roll it up easily and velvet works well as a backdrop. Same for the white material - see what they have that is strong, doesn't crease too much and is really white.
For bigger groups a painted wall is probably the solution.

Interesting article in the new PU magazine about home studio work .

I am using Vinyl and believe it or not get it from my local dress making store(Fabric Land). Its 2m in width and you can get it for as long as the roll is (I got 5m of 10 different colours over the last year) and it is only £2.50 per running meter.
They even can get wider rolls (or go to your local DIY store and look at their Vinyl stuff. B&Q here have some very cheap stuff for next to nothing and it is over 4m wide)
Makes the price on feeBay bringing tears in your eyes. Plus I go in and the girls in there are quite happy to give me offcuts for next to nothing or order me any colour in glossy or matt of the vinyl I need.
May not be the 'professional' way or comes from a specialized background seller but I get what I need, it works, Sometimes I even can just get some 'crazy' stuff to try out and exchange it when it not works for me or in the picture as long as I did not damage or soil it.
May be a tip to get it a good deal cheaper.
Kind regards
SmutjeUK

I have the Calumet Heavy Duty background support which comes in a handy case and have several of their cloth backdrops which will go into a commercial washing machine if necessary. IMO you need something much wider than anything from a fabric shop. I use 12 ft wide. You can't get 4-6 people onto a 2m background.

You can't put paper rolls on these stands as I discovered to my cost, it just unrolls and unrolls and unrolls.

An added advantage is that you can clamp a backlight to the uprights.

This link is helpful = a grey background can become whatever you want

Matt

There are also these.
http://fondosbotero.com/homeenglish.htm

Look in the menu, the key word is collapsible

The two smaller ones are available with white on one side and black on the other.
That might be all you need maybe?
If you need some more you can use a small flash with a colour gell to colour the white side

I wouldn't go for grey, it looks quite dull most of the time i think.

take a wire coat hanger, bend it into a "V" and duct/gaffer tape it to the cross bar and it will apply tension to the inside of the paper roll tube.

also a spring clamp or two to hold it after you have unwound it.....

Thanks Don, I actually stuck a folded brolly into each end of the tube!