Help finding reasonable prices backdrops

[rcooper102]

Hey so I am kinda in a bind. I really would like to get a stand and green screen backdrop, however, all the my local and online photo dealers charge an arm and a leg for them.

Amazon has a ton of reasonably priced ones but none of them ship to Canada.

Does anyone know of any other places online I can get something like:

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Photography 10' X 12' Black, White & Chromakey Green Muslin Backdrops with Background Support System Background Stand and Carry Bag: Camera & Photo

or

Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Photography 10' X 12' Chromakey Green Muslin Backdrop with Support System and Carry Bag: Camera & Photo

everywhere else I have looked generally wants $100-$200 for the stand and another $80-$100 for the muslin. I am not looking to get the best pro gear. I just kinda am curious and want to play around with green screening. Spending $90 to experiment is fine but ~$300 is getting excessive. Does anyone have any idea why Amazon is so much cheaper?

Also would I be better off seeing if I can find some green fabric at a fabric store for a good price?

thanks for any advice!

[scootermcq]

Here is one on ebay in Markham.....

Background Backdrop Stand 3 Muslin Backdrop Kit 6x9 SET on eBay.ca (item 350410977216 end time 03-Feb-11 14:54:45 EST)

It's half your $300.... I don't think you will get much cheaper in Canada for a stand & 3 muslins

[OsmosisStudios]

Is there any particular reason you want a Muslin background? A nice wide roll of seamless paper runs $60.

[Photologyst]

How about using a couple of sheets or inexpensive yardage from a seconds or salvage store? Then there is used equipment from Craig's list and such.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Is there any particular reason you want a Muslin background? A nice wide roll of seamless paper runs $60.

+1 on OS I have tried Muslins and they are a PITA. I currently have 2 different colors in seamless and with colored gells the white can be just about any color. I will not be going back to cloth anytime in the near future.

[rcooper102]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

+1 on OS I have tried Muslins and they are a PITA. I currently have 2 different colors in seamless and with colored gells the white can be just about any color. I will not be going back to cloth anytime in the near future.

Isn't the Muslin much more portable though? I can imagine the role of paper being quite heavy in comparison?

I was planning on looking into sheets/fabric but am worried about the following issues, perhaps I was wrong?

A) Sheets won't be thick enough and light may pass through revealing objects beinhd my backdrop. (Also finding sheets in obnoxious chromakey green or blue may be a challenge )

B) Fabric is sold in rolls that are only like 4 feet wide. Which means that I either would have a very narrow backdrop or a long seam running right down the middle?


Thanks for the link scootermcq, that price seems almost reasonable given the free shipping. However do you think 9 feet tall is big enough? For portrait and still work I am sure it will be but I also want to dabble in video and would be worried I wouldn't have enough of the backdrop to stand on?

[Photologyst]

Muslin tends to be thinner and lighter than sheets. Is 120” wide enough for you? You can purchase it as long as you need: Wide Width Cotton Muslin :: Home Decorating Fabric :: Home Decor Items :: Vogue Fabrics - America's Premier Fashion Fabric Store

[rcooper102]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Muslin tends to be thinner and lighter than sheets. Is 120” wide enough for you? You can purchase it as long as you need: Wide Width Cotton Muslin :: Home Decorating Fabric :: Home Decor Items :: Vogue Fabrics - America's Premier Fashion Fabric Store

hahah thats awsome, if only they carried it in green . (or am I missing something?) They do have some nylons that seem pretty good in green but then width becomes an issue again :S

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by rcooper102

Isn't the Muslin much more portable though? I can imagine the role of paper being quite heavy in comparison?

Heavy no, just long.... I can carry them in my POS optra, but they go from dashboard to tailgate.... No wrinkles to worry about though, and that makes it worth it to me.

Originally Posted by rcooper102

Thanks for the link scootermcq, that price seems almost reasonable given the free shipping. However do you think 9 feet tall is big enough? For portrait and still work I am sure it will be but I also want to dabble in video and would be worried I wouldn't have enough of the backdrop to stand on?

Not long enough for full length, just head shots to three quarters. I have not done video, but probably the same thing. With green screen, you need to have a good distance from the green to subject, or they pick up green on the skin or get a green halo around them when you separate them. Uniform lighting on the backdrop is also key to getting a clean subject when you remove them from the background.

[phaither]

what are these seamless paper rolls you speak of? and what type of fabric is best in a DIY situation?