Backdrop/ground questions. and more

Ive searched the old posts, but just can't seem to get an asnwer. I would like to know where is the best place to buy backdrop and the stands. Also what brands/manufacturers are the most reliable in quality and reliability, and after sale. I need to get a background that will work with many different colors of Dance Recital costumes. Also the stands to support the background. I have one umbrella light and I would like to get another light source for gels. So what brand should I be considering.
Who are the reliable eBay sellers, are their backdrops /products quality?
And, is there a way to measure the thickness of muslin? I bought one on eBay only for it to be so thin that my carpet showed through. How do I know what Im getting, or what question to ask to verify the quality.

Im just very frustrated/confused with all the equipment i need, more so in who to trust, I have limited funds, but I want to get the best I can. So if any of you have any old equipment to unload, PM me

Thanks for any help you can give!

Lots of backgrounds here....http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …=FetchChildren&​Q=&ci=1175

chloeosmom wrote in post #2625024
Ive searched the old posts, but just can't seem to get an asnwer. I would like to know where is the best place to buy backdrop and the stands. Also what brands/manufacturers are the most reliable in quality and reliability, and after sale. I need to get a background that will work with many different colors of Dance Recital costumes. Also the stands to support the background. I have one umbrella light and I would like to get another light source for gels. So what brand should I be considering.
Who are the reliable eBay sellers, are their backdrops /products quality?
And, is there a way to measure the thickness of muslin? I bought one on eBay only for it to be so thin that my carpet showed through. How do I know what Im getting, or what question to ask to verify the quality.

Im just very frustrated/confused with all the equipment i need, more so in who to trust, I have limited funds, but I want to get the best I can. So if any of you have any old equipment to unload, PM me

Thanks for any help you can give!

jandkgroup on ebay, backdrop alley (10x24' black) and botero (from B&H) are the only ones I use. All very good quality. Yes, muslin is rather thin, but I can't see a floor through it. Just light it properly (whether fully lit or not at all) and it should look fine.

Thanks for the help/advice. Now what color should I get for wedding formals, I casually asked one of my customers at work if she had a photog for her wedding in March, and she said no, and asked if I would do it, Man, I dont even try, weddings scare me, but I want to do it so bad!!