Amvona Muslin: a Brief Review

[SYS]

I just received this Amvona muslin that I won on eBay for $23 (+ $18 for S&H), and I was simply WOW'ed...

At first I was pretty skeptical, given such a low pricing, but I didn't want to spend over $200 at a local fabric store for a similar dimension, so I thought I'd give Amvona a try. The one that I got is called "Civichrome. Elite II (Mottled) Muslin." This muslin is just HUGE (10'x24') and covers up the entire floor of my basement!! I was of course expecting it to be large, but laying it all up onto the support stand and onto the floor, my eyes were growing as large... :D

One of the things that I was very curious was how "thin," considering its low price, the fabric was going to be upon its arrival and inspection. To my pleasant surprise, I found the material to be thick enough to withstand at least a decade or more of heavy use. It came solidly hemmed with several grommets for hanging (I use shower curtain hanger clips, as you see in the photo below, for these).

These snapshots don't do much justice to how it really looks. I found it to be beautiful and solidly constructed, so for anyone who wants to consider Amvona at eBaby, my recommendation is two thumbs up. So have fun bidding!! :D By the way, I have another one from Amvona (10'x20') on its way. This one costed me $10 more, but I ain't complaining....


I'm planning on adding a set of grommets at around the base of the stands to stretch the fabric a bit...
255479


With shower curtain hanger clips...
255480

[snedigity]

Very Nice. I will have to look into them

[Jim G]

Boy, you sure seem to get quite a bit for the price - nice!

[bobbyz]

Looks ok. How much?

But I think something like SilverLake would be better. They run monthly special where you can get 10x20 for $150. The patterns and colors are much better than cheaper brands.

[SYS]

Looks ok. How much?

But I think something like SilverLake would be better. They run monthly special where you can get 10x20 for $150. The patterns and colors are much better than cheaper brands.

I don't think so... :cool: I paid, as I stated in the first sentence above, $23 + $18 for s&h. At this price (+ 4' more fabric), I'll pass ANY "monthly specials"! ;) As for the fabric quality, this one's thick, not flimsy stuff.

[bobbyz]

Sorry I missed the $23 part. That's heck of lot cheaper.

[Gary Lindquist]

Besides, if you got it and hated the colors, you could always repaint. That much fabric is a steal!

[SYS]

That much fabric is a steal!

Yea, that's exactly what I was thinking when I first laid everything out on the floor. I'm actually glad that the second Amvona on its way is 10'x20' so I can handle it easier.

Funny thing is that this thing came in a medium size box and wasn't all that heavy, so charging $18 for s&h was a huge ripoff! ;) At first, I thought one of the lighting books had arrived when I picked it up in front of my door...

[Gary Lindquist]

I don't know SooYoung. Shipping is getting ridiculously expensive.

[PhotosByCynthia]

One word of caution on Amvona muslins - their colors can be deceiving. I ordered a backdrop that I thought was a nice cream beige color by THEIR photo in their catalog and it came flourescent orange!!!

They are nice muslins for the money that's for sure - I've bought several of them recently and was only disappointed with the color of one of them. Read the feedback on their ebay site and you will see that they get the 'deceptive color' complaint quite often.

[Skrim17]

the shipping appears to bean easy way ebay folks to make money these days

[epatt250]

How much of whats behind it shows thru the material? Like if I had a very dark brown wall and a white window with blinds both behind the muslin do you think the differences in shade behind the fabric would show thru? I notice you have a window behind yours but you have a light wall as well.

[SYS]

How much of whats behind it shows thru the material? Like if I had a very dark brown wall and a white window with blinds both behind the muslin do you think the differences in shade behind the fabric would show thru? I notice you have a window behind yours but you have a light wall as well.

Look what you made me do... I went downstairs to double check to be sure...:)

In the dark basement with a bright sun light shining through directly from behind, yes, you can see some light through the fabric. But it looks to me quite unavoidable for ANY fabric unless you go canvas thick. Even then you might get some light through the canvas if it's directly positioned in front of the window.

Obviously, unless you can't avoid it, it's not advisable to position the background directly in front of any strong light source.... As for your other question, no, the light colored back wall had absolutely no effect whatsoever.

[epatt250]

I should have been more specific. Assume its at night. No light coming thru the window. But about the only thing I have close to a studio is a dark brown wall and a window with a white frame and white blinds splitting my background pretty much right down the middle. Thin material such as a cheap low thread count bed sheet and you can see the brown and white thru it.

Is the material thick enough to not show a dark vs light difference in whats behind the muslin? No light coming thru the window.

[PhotosByCynthia]

Some of Amvona's cheaper muslins are thin like bed sheets as you put it. The more expensive ones that I've bought from them are thick muslin. No light shines thru them and they are like heavy canvas.

[SYS]

I should have been more specific. Assume its at night. No light coming thru the window. But about the only thing I have close to a studio is a dark brown wall and a window with a white frame and white blinds splitting my background pretty much right down the middle. Thin material such as a cheap low thread count bed sheet and you can see the brown and white thru it.

Is the material thick enough to not show a dark vs light difference in whats behind the muslin? No light coming thru the window.

Okay, got your question correctly this time. The answer is NO. The flimsy quality is what I was MOST worried about prior to ordering it, so that was the first thing I inspected upon opening the box. At the price I paid, I almost expected to see a low quality fabric, but noooooo... so you can imagine how happy I was to see its quality. This ain't a bed sheet for sure!!

[epatt250]

Excellent. Glad you posted about it. I had been considering on of them for awhile but was afraid of bad quality.

[Magic_Puzzle]

You never know what Amvona is going to send you. Some of their stuff is okay, some of it is junk that they are palming off on the buyer. One thing that you can be sure of, Amvona is overcharging so much that they are making a profit no matter what they sell. Their shipping/handling fees are ridiculous. Often their descriptions are so far off that best thing you can say is that the box was well taped. They are making money by deception in many cases because you never know what will be in the box they send out.

[shooterman]

I bought a muslin from Amvona just like this one: Amvona Muslin (http://cgi.ebay.com/AMVONA-MUSLIN-PHOTO-BACKGROUND-BACKDROP-1016-HPM-833_W0QQitemZ360012774896QQihZ023QQcategoryZ30079Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem) and just like Soo Young was pleasantly surprised at how thick this thing is. It is high quality for the amount you pay for it. I won it in an auction and paid about $20.00 for it plus shipping. In their specifications it even states that "Colors may vary slightly from section of muslin shown in image.", so if you don't read that and you are disappointed that the color isn't exactly as in the sales photo, then that's your own fault.
Are the $300.00 Silverlake and whoever else muslins better. Probably, but I would certainly hope so for paying that kind of money. For the money of the Amvona's that typically go for $25 - $50 in auction, I don't think they can be beat.

[Titus213]

You never know what Amvona is going to send you. Some of their stuff is okay, some of it is junk that they are palming off on the buyer. One thing that you can be sure of, Amvona is overcharging so much that they are making a profit no matter what they sell. Their shipping/handling fees are ridiculous. Often their descriptions are so far off that best thing you can say is that the box was well taped. They are making money by deception in many cases because you never know what will be in the box they send out.

I assume you've had some specific issues with them?

I have a couple of Amvona muslins, they work well for the price. I was a bit surprised by the color of one of them but realized it is quite controllable with proper lighting. I also have an Amvona background support system that works quite well.

And today I received my 5-in-1 40x60 reflector. It looks pretty good to me and for $45 it's a deal.

[PhotosByCynthia]

Well I don't know how you can get a color wrong by reading the description. THe photo they showed in their catalog was a creamy beige and I got flourescent orange. And that's my fault? Nah, don't think so. lol All of the other ones that I've bought from them have been really good, not QUITE the same colors, but close enough to live with. What I can't live with is a beige that comes flourescent orange. LOL I still have it in the box it came in. Maybe if I don't sell it I can use it in the future. Who knows.........

[Titus213]

Throw some different lights on it and see what color it is. I can change my 'Sedona' from cherry ugly red to dark maroon simply by how I light it.

[shooterman]

Well I don't know how you can get a color wrong by reading the description. THe photo they showed in their catalog was a creamy beige and I got flourescent orange. And that's my fault? Nah, don't think so. lol All of the other ones that I've bought from them have been really good, not QUITE the same colors, but close enough to live with. What I can't live with is a beige that comes flourescent orange. LOL I still have it in the box it came in. Maybe if I don't sell it I can use it in the future. Who knows.........What stopped you from contacting Amvona and getting the one you were suppose to get? Obviously they sent the wrong one, but I'm sure it wasn't intentional on their part.

[PhotosByCynthia]

I didn't contact them about it because the model number matched up with the one I had. I left them positive feedback, but did put in there that more accurate images of the colors would be appreciated. lol Like I said, who knows, maybe in the future I will come up with a use for it. A few have mentioned dyeing it or repainting it, but I don't trust myself not to completely screw it up. LMAO! ;) Not overly stressed about it, but noticed a lot of folks complained in their feedback about what they bought.

[DSMITH131]

They are nice I have gotten a few from them and they are actually a little bigger than they say My 24's are actually a little over 25

[Lotto]

Hey congrats, SYS! Couple things..

1) I think you you can stick the cross bar through the other end of the mulin, without the curtain ring.

2) Us rubber bands and clips wrap around the BG stand to stretch the fabric.

3) Have you look at the reverse side of the muslin, there are some supprised color and pattern at the back side :)

[SYS]

Hey congrats, SYS! Couple things..

1) I think you you can stick the cross bar through the other end of the mulin, without the curtain ring.

2) Us rubber bands and clips wrap around the BG stand to stretch the fabric.

3) Have you look at the reverse side of the muslin, there are some supprised color and pattern at the back side :)

Hi Lotto,

Yea, I used the curtain rings for all but the both ends of the crossbar. I actually sticked the ends through the lightstand. The use of rubber bands and clips is a simple but effective idea... As for 3), no, I haven't had a chance to study the color pattern on the back side, but thanks to you I will. :D I've been busy constructing my own DIY reflectors, one of the last things I need before the actual shooting.

[Titus213]

You are going to have quite the studio set up when you get it all done. I'm looking forward to some pictures from it.

[SYS]

You are going to have quite the studio set up when you get it all done. I'm looking forward to some pictures from it.

Setting up the studio is the easy (and fun) part. Knowing what to do with it is going to be the hard part... :D

[archaeoman]

I've bought several from them on Ebay and each has been great. Very good quality.

My favorite was this one (muslin, not model):

http://photos.markbillingsphotography.com/img/v2/p31184348.jpg

[snedigity]

Archaeoman what was the name for the color pattern on that one?

[archaeoman]

Erupting Lava (HPM850)

I don't see it on their website, I didn't check the ebay store. I don't recall if it was a discontinued when I bought it.

Hope that helps.

EDIT: I just found it on their ebay store but I certainly didn't spend $91 on it :shock:

LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/AMVONA-MUSLIN-PHOTO-BACKGROUND-BACKDROP-1016-HPM-850_W0QQitemZ180205460047QQihZ008QQcategoryZ30079Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQ cmdZViewItem)

[shooterman]

Here it is: Amvona Erupting Lava Muslin (http://cgi.ebay.com/AMVONA-MUSLIN-PHOTO-BACKGROUND-BACKDROP-1020-HPM-850_W0QQitemZ180224961756QQihZ008QQcategoryZ30079Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262)

[Titus213]

I have noticed that not all the Amvona backdrops on eBay indicate what size they are. Make sure you are getting one big enough for its intended use.

[snedigity]

Well I bid $30 on one let see if I can win.

[magicmikey]

I have noticed that not all the Amvona backdrops on eBay indicate what size they are. Make sure you are getting one big enough for its intended use.

Actually, if you're buying from Amvona, the first number in the backdrop number (before the hyphen) is the size:
1012 = 10x12
1016 = 10x16
1020 = 10x20

I saw a few Amvona backdrops not being sold by Amvona that don't use this system.

Michael

[Titus213]

Michael - Thanks - that's good info to have. Their eBay site seems to be hit and miss with the actual sizes.

[m3rdpwr]

I have a few muslin's from amvona. The white and black ones I have are too thin and make it hard to use without light seapage.

The other colored ones seem to fair a little better...

-Mario

[snedigity]

I just got mine but it seems to still be loosing paint. How do other people get the colors to set better?

[SYS]

I just got mine but it seems to still be loosing paint. How do other people get the colors to set better?

If you're talking about some bits of dry paint falling off, their website tells you to expect that at the beginning. Now, if you're actually losing the original part of the paint, then that's something else that I'm not familiar with.

[snedigity]

When you grab it, it feels almost like charcole dust comeing off of it. I thought there was a thread someoen that talked about using a fabric finisher to help seal in the colors. I plan on seeing if they can make things like this once I am over in Korea.

[shooterman]

When you grab it, it feels almost like charcole dust comeing off of it. I thought there was a thread someoen that talked about using a fabric finisher to help seal in the colors. I plan on seeing if they can make things like this once I am over in Korea.Mine feels just like yours Scott. My hands get chalky with the paint color after handling it. I think that is normal.

[snedigity]

there has to be a way to seal it to make it not as Chalky.

[Natural Imagez]

I have rently ordered some stuff from Amvona. they do have great pricing, but the shipping is way out of whack!! so an fyi, if you can save up, or pool with somebody etc and order over 100.00 on your order then the shipping is FREE via ground. the muslins are pretty descent for thickness and i think a great value for what you are paying.

[yanz]

I have been looking to buy amvona muslin for a little while. I lost few auctions but now they only have auctions on white or black muslin and the rest they sell it in ebay store with buy it now. I am not sure if i am searching wrong or they just stoped offering colored muslin in auctions.

[m3rdpwr]

I have been looking to buy amvona muslin for a little while. I lost few auctions but now they only have auctions on white or black muslin and the rest they sell it in ebay store with buy it now. I am not sure if i am searching wrong or they just stoped offering colored muslin in auctions.

Yeah, they don't seem to put as many on ebay at one time as they use to.

There is only a few pages up at a time for them now when there use to be 10-12...

-Mario

[Titus213]

They seem to have quite a few on sale at their main store, www.amvona.com