Znude! wrote:
1. Would you recommend using them?  For portability they work ok.
2. Do they get super wrinkly? If so, are they easy to unwrinkle? Floor area does like any cloth backdrop.
3. Is there a brand you would recommend? I think they all come from the same place in China somewhere.
4. Are the reservable ones any good? Don't see why not as long as they are kept clean.
5. How much of a body can you actually photograph with them? Headshots only and barely moving mid-torso to the top of the head? Full length on the 8 x 16 with maybe 5 to 6 feet of separation between subject and background.

I have a couple I bought a while back but have only used them maybe once or twice. They work good actually. Like any collapsable it takes a little practice getting the hang of getting them folded and packed up.

The 8 x 16 is large enough to shoot full length. Seems like there weren't many colors available, black, white, blue, green. Don't remember finding a gray.

Like any cloth drop keeping the floor flat and unwrinkled is the biggest challenge. The upright area springs tight and gets rid of wrinkles. If there is a clear wall you can lean it against the wall and not bring stands.

https://www.adorama.com/glcbg816b.html
Prices are not bad.

If all you are shooting is thigh to head you could have a smaller 5 x 7 one which is much easier to handle and carry.

Thanks! I've never seen that type before! Very interesting. I was thinking more along the lines of the 5x7 oval collapsible ones like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Chromakey … amp;sr=8-4

I've read the reviews but with all the praise and complaints it's hard to decide. I just want to get in, do my thing and go. The days of me carrying heavy crap and hurting my back are done and if I added an assistant people would complain about the price so I have to do it myself.

The wrinkle thing might not be an issue when I think about it. If I do white I can blow out the background and hide the wrinkles. If I do black all I have to do is not light it lol. Gray will be the annoying one I'm sure but I guess I could paint out the wrinkles. Maybe I should just get two, test them on myself, and if I hate them just return them.

YAJHILPHOTO wrote:

Thanks! I've never seen that type before! Very interesting. I was thinking more along the lines of the 5x7 oval collapsible ones like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Chromakey … amp;sr=8-4

I've read the reviews but with all the praise and complaints it's hard to decide. I just want to get in, do my thing and go. The days of me carrying heavy crap and hurting my back are done and if I added an assistant people would complain about the price so I have to do it myself.

The wrinkle thing might not be an issue when I think about it. If I do white I can blow out the background and hide the wrinkles. If I do black all I have to do is not light it lol. Gray will be the annoying one I'm sure but I guess I could paint out the wrinkles. Maybe I should just get two, test them on myself, and if I hate them just return them.

I have some of those 5 x 7's in white and they work fine for 3/4 shots and headshots. I only use them as reflectors but I have shot some portraits with them. You can also find that size in a lot of colors and even styles like painted old masters. They don't work for total full length unless you don't care if the floor matches and want it to look like a wall. I've bought several different brands and haven't had an issue with any of them other than the crappy cases they come in. The zippers go out after a few uses but they still work.

Denny's has a lot of colors in that size. https://dennymfg.com/collections/collapsible-backdrops
And the camera stores have them with patterns.  https://www.adorama.com/lslllb5705.html
You can probably find cheaper ones with various patters / colors.
I have no problems with wrinkles with any of them except the big ones in 8 x 16. The smaller ones pop out so tight the wrinkles are stretched out.

Znude! wrote:
I have some of those 5 x 7's in white and they work fine for 3/4 shots and headshots. I only use them as reflectors but I have shot some portraits with them. You can also find that size in a lot of colors and even styles like painted old masters. They don't work for total full length unless you don't care if the floor matches and want it to look like a wall. I've bought several different brands and haven't had an issue with any of them other than the crappy cases they come in. The zippers go out after a few uses but they still work.

Denny's has a lot of colors in that size. https://dennymfg.com/collections/collapsible-backdrops
And the camera stores have them with patterns.  https://www.adorama.com/lslllb5705.html
You can probably find cheaper ones with various patters / colors.
I have no problems with wrinkles with any of them except the big ones in 8 x 16. The smaller ones pop out so tight the wrinkles are stretched out.

I ended up getting a white and black and then a gray and chroma blue. They get here Friday so I'm gonna test them out on myself once they arrive and maybe post about it here. I'm thinking I can turn the blue color into various colors in Photoshop. Let's see how it goes. Thanks for the help. I think the fear of stuff being bad keeps me from trying out things so I'm just gonna throw myself at it. Like I said, worse thing that happens is I return them.

Znude! wrote:
The 8 x 16 is large enough to shoot full length. Seems like there weren't many colors available, black, white, blue, green. Don't remember finding a gray.

Fabric is available in a literal rainbow of colors. Even wide-roll solid tone for photo backdrops have several options. You have to know where to look. And what to look for. I guess that comes with experience.

Rosebrand is a supplier widely known by the professional community. I have linked them before.

wrinkle-free muslin substitute: (14 colors)
https://www.rosebrand.com/product644/12 … %2bFabrics

poly-muslin: (16 colors)
https://www.rosebrand.com/product559/12 … %2bFabrics

10x12.5' is roughly $91.00

Even muslin comes in a few different tones (including two tones of grey) and many widths:
https://www.rosebrand.com/fabric-stage- … ndard.aspx

Dan Howell wrote:
Fabric is available in a literal rainbow of colors. Even wide-roll solid tone for photo backdrops have several options. You have to know where to look. And what to look for. I guess that comes with experience.

Rosebrand is a supplier widely known by the professional community. I have linked them before.

wrinkle-free muslin substitute: (14 colors)
https://www.rosebrand.com/product644/12 … %2bFabrics

poly-muslin: (16 colors)
https://www.rosebrand.com/product559/12 … %2bFabrics

10x12.5' is roughly $91.00

Even muslin comes in a few different tones (including two tones of grey) and many widths:
https://www.rosebrand.com/fabric-stage- … ndard.aspx

I looked at those links but didn't see anything about the fabrics being available on collapsable backgrounds. Guess I missed it. Are you buying the fabric and putting it on a collapsable frame yourself?

Dan Howell wrote:
Seems like the collapsable ones require stand(s), or tape, or pins or clamps. Much like a piece of fabric.

I've had luck just leaning them against an open area of wall. Personally I prefer just cloth as you suggested. But the OP was looking to lessen the load and specifically asked about the collapsable option. Really unless I'm shooting in my studio I prefer to not use any type of backdrop.

Of course my work would never measure up to the beautiful and amazing work you produce. Your work is stunning. I'm just plugging along on a hit or miss basis.