Backdrops

[Jam71868]

Hi all.I am needing to get some backdrops for my new studio space, but don't have a ton of money.I don't have a problem spending about 250-300 on a backdrop, but I did see some on Adorama (sp?) that were painted muslin for 89.00. Are those suitable? If not, what is the problem with those? What do I need to look for in a backdrop? What do I need to be careful of? Where are best deals?Any examples of not too expensive backdrop photos that you can show me?Thank you.

[psycorpse]

If your the DIY type you could go to the fabric store and buy some muslin and dye it yourself. This is what I have done and I have 3 backdrops (blue kinda tye-dyed, grey and white) Those 3 in total cost around $45 (with 40% off coupon for each one). I am pretty happy with them in general the way that they are however I will more than likely redye the blue one so that it isn't blue and white tye-dye but blue and light blue tye-dye. They grey was kinda a lesson learned.... I did a solid color but I didn't spread out the fabric enough when I put in in the dye. So I have a 2 1/2 ft square darker spot than the rest. I use that part on the floor when it is hanging. The white is just that. They way it was bought (bleached white).

Wow that turned into a long post.

[bobbyz]

I would take a look at SilverLake photo. There muslin hand painted backdrops are very nice. I have 2 of them which I got on their monthly special. I paid $150 per drop for 10x20 size. You havet to become member of their forum for getting the special code.

I bought these 2

http://www.silverlakephoto.com/images/pdf/All%20Natural.jpg
http://www.silverlakephoto.com/images/pdf/Hickory.jpg

Here is my test shot.
http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v3/p355152882-5.jpg
http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v0/p392430376-5.jpg

[sidx001]

I know there are a lot of people around that don't like ebay, but if you do a search for Alien Bees, (trust me) a series of backdrops will come up in the result list. I've bought a couple from them and they are good quality back drops. ( like here (http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-Made-Muslin-Background-20x10-use-w-Alien-Bees_W0QQitemZ230267420884QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 230267420884&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318))

[lmulderi]

There is also a site called amvona or amova or something like that that had some inexpensive backdrops although I have never used one to attest to their quality...

[lmulderi]

I should have googled it first but it is amvona.com if you want to look...

[Lotto]

10x16' muslin, $40 shipped from amvona eBay site. For non-pro like me, the quality is more than adequate. I was looking for a high key and a low key fabric BG to use for a long time, but I didn't know what color or pattern will work for me. Those cheap eBay muslin helped to make that decision without hurting my wallet too much :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2636531701_a3d629b70b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2336697138_db39c05d7b_o.jpg

[DSMITH131]

I agree e-bay has a lot to offer in the line of back drops. there are a few good sellers there some i have bought from:
http://stores.ebay.com/Photo4u2s-Muslin-Photo-Backgrounds
http://stores.ebay.com/BACKDROP-OUTLET
http://stores.ebay.com/amvona-com_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZQ2d999QQftidZ2QQtZkm

[Bob D.]

Haven't used this place but here is another possible source that the video crowd uses.

They have a reasonable backdrop support system listed.

Except for green or blue screen backgrounds it appears that all their backgrounds
are digital to be added in post which is more common in video.

www.tubetape.com (http://www.tubetape.com)

[Mounkey]

look on ebay for the amvona ones. I've gotten some nice 12x24 size ones for $30 bucks...good quality too. :D

[93octane]

I would go with the sliverlake muslins too. I have 3 of them and they are all great. Excellent quality. If you check out their auctions on ebay you can pick some up for less then $100.

[m3rdpwr]

There is also a site called amvona or amova or something like that that had some inexpensive backdrops although I have never used one to attest to their quality...

Amvona's white and black are too thin of a material and you need to fold it over to get it not to be transparent.

The colored/multi-colored ones fare better.

I think Amvona puts less muslin's on ebay now to let the prices go higher.
When I first started buying there backdrop's they had several 100's at a time up.
Now it's just a few pages at a time...

-Mario