Recommend any backdrop support kits?

Hey guys, I've been using a very cheap cowboy studio backdrop support kit for years (2x stands, 1x 3-piece horizontal bar). the horizontal bar is so thin and flimsy that when I hang a 8 feet long backdrop on it, the middle of the bar starts to bend and bow down. I'd like a stronger, more durable kit. I don't want to just replace the horizontal bar with a heavier duty one because the 2 stands are also very weak, especially when I extend it to it's highest height.

I'm open to most price ranges as long as it's not ridiculously expensive. Maybe willing to spend $300 at most, but would like to know what people recommend from within that range.

Any recommendations? Would prefer something from Amazon as much as possible (not BH, Adorama, etc).

I use Bogen/Manfrotto polecats. Get a couple of the clamps for a crossbar. For the crossbar, I use television antenna mast sections available from a hardware store. They are very sturdy and 3 sections hold a 108" (I forget— the wide rolls) seamless.

I've got a Photoflex First Studio backdrop support and it seems very well built and solid, especially for <$200 (Currently $188 on Amazon). It comes in a nice carry bag as well. If you don't like the "first studio" embroidered on the bag in red, a razor blade and 2 minutes takes care of that.

Amazon Link

do you travel with it, or just put it up and take it down at the studio?

Ravelli ABSL background kit on Amazon. Bulletproof.

It mostly just stays set up in my basement studio, but I've traveled with it several times and it packs up nice and compact (for what it is). It's about 5' long and 6" in diameter for the whole kit packed up. There are some listings on eBay that show it pretty well collapsed and in the case. Each stand has its own pocket in the case so things aren't banging around as you carry it.

ebay link (not mine)

I've also used the stands themselves without the backdrop pole, and they work nicely with manfrotto umbrella swivel adapters.

I use a Savage Port-a-Stand. It's quite sturdy and easy to carry and set up. Unfortunately, I don't think I can heartily recommend them anymore as they've started using plastic studs instead of the metal ones mine has. I heard from a client of mine who bought one of the latest units that those plastic things are too easy to break.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17802025
do you travel with it, or just put it up and take it down at the studio?

For my use, it stays in my house. Not planning on taking it outside of my house... or rarely. Maybe if I need to set it up at a location (like a party, or clothing store). But 99.9% of use will be putting it up in my house, taking it down and storing, repeat as needed.

I use the Westcott X-Drop system. Works very well for single person portraits and small product photography. Not suitable for outdoor use or heavy handling. Otherwise great.

i was very close to getting the Ravelli unit posted above, had it in my amazon cart kind of close, but then I decided i didn't need a set up that was meant for traveling. I use seamless rather than muslins, so i will always have the length of the paper to deal with anyway so I just put a single long bar inside the roll that is inside the original shipping box. I have traveled with my set up a few times and it works great for my needs.

here is my permanent basement set up and my mobile set up:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1407928

I wouldn't go with a stand type set up indoors if space is any consideration. Autopoles for sure. If budget is an issue you can get some TimberToppers and use them on 2x4s in lieu of autopoles. If you have an area where you can just leave the background up all the time you can go even cheaper and attach some 2x4s vertically to the walls (stepped out via a short segment of 2x4). You don't get much more space efficient than that, and you still have vertical boards at each side of the background to clamp the muslin to so you can stretch the wrinkles out.
For portable though the Ravelli system mentioned earlier works fine. I bought one about 6 or so years ago and the stands and pole have held up fine. I don't use paper though, so I can't comment on how the rod would handle a seamless roll.


Here is my current, permanently installed set up, you can see that the 2x4 studs are actually mounted to short, 18" long sections on each side which themselves are held in into the wall with four 4" long screws each. When it comes down there will only be eight tiny holes in the drywall to patch.

IMAGE LINK: http://s103.photobucke​t.com …0387_zpswplanva​s.jpg.html