Portable background stand - what are you using?

I just ordered a portable background kit and a seamless roll this morning. Then I went on to install some $5 IKEA curtain rods in the living room and I am having a "wait a minute..." -moment.

What are you using for a background stand?

I picket up one of the Ravelli backdrop kits. The stands themselves are decent but the cross bar scares me a little bit. It is flimsy but the holds the seamless roll alright. I have been thinking of just replacing it with a heavier duty cross bar and calling it a day.

Years ago, I bought the crossbar system for this Photek background support along with an extra 3-foot section. I built my own adapters for a couple of extra steel light stands that I had as surplus and I bought the Photek bag for the rig.

The real beauty of the Photek crossbar is that it's made up of 3-foot sections that lock together with a 180° twist and are quite rigidly connected to each other. I can make my crossbar be up to 15 feet long or as short as 6 feet and the package stores in a 40-inch bag.

if you are doing seamless, you don't really benefit from having telescoping or shorter poles that lock together because you already have the length of the roll to deal with.

I have a piece of half inch EMT and bought two elbows that are use to join the EMT. I attach one end of the elbow to the EMT and slide the other over the end of a light stand, half inch EMT is about 5/8 OD.

There is a stop in the elbow that i filed out (easier than it sounds, took maybe 5 minutes) that will allow the elbow to fully drop down on the top of the light stand.

Cost probably 3.50 for the pipe and maybe 3 bucks for the two elbows

see this thread for some other ideas https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1397493

I'm using the Ravelli ABSL. It's heavy duty.

Amazon

flowrider wrote in post #17164626
I'm using the Ravelli ABSL. It's heavy duty.

Amazon

+1 Same here. It's probably the best stands for the price anywhere.

flowrider wrote in post #17164626
I'm using the Ravelli ABSL. It's heavy duty.

Amazon

That crossbar looks almost identical to the Photek system that I use except for the color. The connectors for the 3-ft crossbar sections appear to be the same design as the Photek.

Currently using IKEA curtain rods, as I've posted in another thread recently. Using Manfrotto super clamps to attach them to tall light stands.

That Photek/Ravelli set looks really appealing - probably more sturdy than what I'm using, and definitely more portable.

flowrider wrote in post #17164626
I'm using the Ravelli ABSL. It's heavy duty.

Amazon

Thats the one i have!

Beauty of this one is the stands. Just flip the top around and it's a light stand. I use them often for my heavy monolights when I need tall extension.

flowrider wrote in post #17165678
Beauty of this one is the stands. Just flip the top around and it's a light stand. I use them often for my heavy monolights when I need tall extension.

I picked up the ABS, not the ABSL, as I don't think I'll need the extra few feet. The stands are very well made, and like the fact they can be used for light stands too.
http://www.amazon.com …age_o00_s01?ie=​UTF8&psc=1
Thanks for posting about these.

My backdrop stands can be used as light stands because they are light stands. These Matthews Beefy Baby two-risers are a little less portable, but seriously stable. I am using the Manfrotto telescoping crossbar which is very portable and strong enough for medium-weight fabrics. Shown at full height (9') and full width (9'):

^Nice setup^