Ripstop Nylon (60x72) - $12
(11) 24" 3/4 sched40 PVC - $12
elbows, coupler, T, threaded elbow: - $3
(24) Large eyelets - $5
Small hairties - $4

I wanted about 4x6, so bought 2 yards of 60" ripstop nylon. Everyone recommends this stuff, it's nice and durable, with 1 stop of diffusion (f/11 metered f/5.6 + 9/10) and cheap. If I had a coupon I could have gotten it for like $7, but I didn't.

I simply stuck the pieces together, no glue for easy teardown and transport. Here's it set up:




I looped the hair ties through eyelets and back through themselves for a knot, and put the PVC through the other loop. This method, with the elastic bands helps keep it tight, and the gap makes it less of a sail than if it were one solid piece.:




I wanted it to be able to tilt and stay in place, so I used threaded T and elbows for the stand. The threads are very tight, and the friction keeps it in place:




To attach the stands, I took the eleventh 2' section of PVC and cut it in half to 2 one foot sections, stuck those tho the threaded elbow, then stuck the top portion of my lightstand through. This foot acts as a sleeve, and I tested out beforehand what size I would need. The sleeve is VERY snug, and the entire rig is quite steady:



I offset the T-joints so that I could have somewhat of a boom effect when needed, being able to project the panel off to one side will be of use during the middle of the day. It is 2' on one end, and 4' on the other:



All in all, a cheap, easy project, that I cannot wait to put to use. Perhaps tomorrow I will have some examples up.

ForeverFotos wrote:
I like the design, but I'm having trouble finding ripstop in widths wider than 44 inches. Where did you get yours, and how did you manage to get anything wider than the width of a standard bolt of material (36 to 44 in) ?

Joann's had 60" $7.99/yard (was on sale $5.99)

http://www.joann.com/rip-stop-nylon-man … prd560961/ (says 59")

-JAY- wrote:

Joann's had 60" $7.99/yard (was on sale $5.99)

http://www.joann.com/rip-stop-nylon-man … prd560961/ (says 59")

Thanks a lot, I'll give that a try.

NothingIsRealButTheGirl wrote:
Would be a good thing to put on

http://www.instructables.com/

Got a dozen projects I have been meaning to put on there, and DIYphotography.net

Stanley L Moore wrote:
Many years ago I built something similar with ripstop And PVC pipe. I learned about it from a Dean Collins lighting seminar. But mine does not have the Elbows on the side to fit the light stands. So someone has to hold it. Your design s a bit more practical for those with out assistants.

I never have assistants, but I have far too many lightstands...

S W I N S K E Y wrote:
now if you were really thinking..you could have  drilled some holes in the pvc and added a 3/4 threaded female couple, then hooked the garden hose so you could sprinkle the lawn while you were shooting.

-JAY- wrote:

Make that much bigger (say 4'x6') with more tubes spaced closer together with holes drilled all along the length of the tubes (and no center sprinkler) and hang it overhead (or put it on c-stands) and you have a rain machine.

Have you seen the tinkertubes booklet?  I think you'd like it.

http://www.software-cinema.com/page/13/tinkertubes

joeyk wrote:
The first two were out of 2 by 2s and fitted JCP white twin sheets. 1 sheet, one side or 1 sheet on each side, used them as shoot through too.

I tried bedsheets, but for outdoor stuff, but they ate too much light, the background was far too blown out. With one stop, it works nicely. I've used sheets previously for indoor stuff, easy way to make a blown-out white background.

Light and Lens Studio wrote:
Great practical idea for video and stills.  If the sun ever comes out again here in the NW, I will have one ready to go.

Thanks for sharing.

Vegas is never overcast.... ever.

AG_Boston wrote:
This is pretty damn cool.

Do you plan on painting the PVC black, or leaving it white?

pshhhhh... painting it would give it legitimacy... let ghetto gear show its pride.

-JAY- wrote:

pshhhhh... painting it would give it legitimacy... let ghetto gear show its pride.

Haha so true

I love this project...

-JAY- wrote:

pshhhhh... painting it would give it legitimacy... let ghetto gear show its pride.

Uh...gold trim then?

Brooks Avenue Studio wrote:
That is a really nice build and the hair ties are very smart.

I spent so much time trying to figure out how to mount it. Fold over with snaps? Velcro? I think this way won cause it was the easiest of all the options

solostudio wrote:
Nice job.

Thanks! It is now a permanent piece of my family portraits kit... gives me so much more flexibility.