Chip Willis wrote:
Gaffers tape.

I'm not familiar with that.

Deacon Blues wrote:
2" pvc pipe on a couple of wall brackets = about $20 - $30.

They make a 3-roll wall-mounted hanging system that has plastic gears and chains the sells for around $100, but I can't remember where I saw that - I'm thinking Ebay.  A friend of mine uses one - they're slick as shit.

So the PVC would be strong enough to hold a roll of paper?
(I've never held a roll before, so I don't know how heavy it is)

IPS Photography wrote:

I'm not familiar with that.

google gaffers tape

IPS Photography wrote:

So the PVC would be strong enough to hold a roll of paper?
(I've never held a roll before, so I don't know how heavy it is)

yep - the paper has a fairly hefty cardboard core anyway.  most of the roll systems out there have an insert that only goes into the end of the paper roll about 1'...

IPS Photography wrote:

So the PVC would be strong enough to hold a roll of paper?
(I've never held a roll before, so I don't know how heavy it is)

And if not PVC, electrical conduit. 

You could also just hang two hooks in the ceiling and run a piece of rope from one hook, through the seamless, and onto the other, though you'll run into problems keeping it straight.

Pique Chagh wrote:
thumb tacks and 3 yards of fabric on the wall - $7

lol...True!

Deacon Blues wrote:
a 3-roll wall-mounted hanging system that has plastic gears and chains

Polecat?

.

215 Studios wrote:
Leave the roll on the ground, and run the paper up the wall.  Then tape, nail, tack, glue or otherwise anchor as you see fit.  No stand needed, then.

Ahh!

IPS Photography wrote:

I'm not familiar with that.

Tape used by (amongst others) professional gaffers (the people who boom microphones and stuff for the film and TV industries).  It's usually matte black (so no reflections) and strong as anything but comes off easily without leaving any residue.  Think of it as removable duct tape, but even stronger.  Also rips easily (to get a piece from the role without scissors or a knife).  Great stuff.  Get at an art supply or pro photography supply store.  About $20 a roll, but well worth it.

Don't leave home (for a photo shoot) without it.

Deacon Blues wrote:
2" pvc pipe on a couple of wall brackets = about $20 - $30.

They make a 3-roll wall-mounted hanging system that has plastic gears and chains the sells for around $100, but I can't remember where I saw that - I'm thinking Ebay.  A friend of mine uses one - they're slick as shit.

They're made by Manfrotto and sold at Calumet etc.

IPS Photography wrote:
Not wanting to spend $170 (or whatever the cost may be) on stands for my background paper.  Is their a cheaper alternative?  What have some of you "McGyvered"?

I went to the Salvation Army. In many of them they have commercial items from major stores. I got four stands, heavily weighted at the bottom with adjustable levels for glass shelving.. I paid $20 and can hang five rolls of paper off them with no problems.

If you go that route, try the back lot outside, thats where they usually keep the good stuff.  I got four circular stands for about $10/each that were in a Nordstroms or some such for hanging winter coats. I can barely lift them unless I take them apart a bit.

Deacon Blues wrote:
2" pvc pipe on a couple of wall brackets = about $20 - $30.

They make a 3-roll wall-mounted hanging system that has plastic gears and chains the sells for around $100, but I can't remember where I saw that - I'm thinking Ebay.  A friend of mine uses one - they're slick as shit.

I got them from Backdrop Outlet. They're really fine. The metal brackets can be mounted either on ceiling (horizontal) or on a wall (vertical).  Backdropoutlet.com moved from Chicago to Oceanside CA, and I can no longer find this item in their on-line atalog.

Horizontal mounting may be best because there is more space for the chains and the papers all start at the same height.

I also saw this item in the B&H Photo catalog -very small photo and not enough information to have any idea of what it really is.

Bogen Manfrotto:

3 background bracket
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 … s_for.html

6 bacground bracket
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 … s_for.html

Could not find a complete kit version so you either order from Bacdrop Outlet or piece it together from B&H Photo by including:


1 Brackets (to hold 3 4 or 6 rolls at a time)
2 Plastic Core/Holders -a pair consists of 2 expandable cores,       one of which has a gear
3 Plastic chain -this clips together to form a loop
4 Weight -this sits inside the chain loop and keeps it neat

I found a semi-kit which is missing the brackets:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 … Paper.html

Horizontal mounting may be best because there is more space for the chains and the papers all start at the same height.


I started using it and it is far better than the usual tripod style stands -unless you need portability.  The system works really well and you can change backgrounds really rapidly. It costs far less than motorized systems yet allows background changes just as fast.

Or if you simply want to have 3 backgrounds attached to a single portable background (tripod style) stand, this would be very handy.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 … t_for.html


Dan

IPS Photography wrote:
Not wanting to spend $170 (or whatever the cost may be) on stands for my background paper.  Is their a cheaper alternative?  What have some of you "McGyvered"?

The main problem with a "McGyvered" background stand is safety and liability.  The wrong twist or slip by a model can bring an entire paper roll or background crashing down upon a model, your expensive lights or even the photographer.

The reason quality portable background stands cost $200 or more is the stability and safety afforded the photographer, his equipment and the model by a well-made, tested piece of equipment.

uneekGrafix wrote:
This is what I use.  Simple, cheap and really effective.

http://www.diyphotography.net/super_eas … drop_stand

Hope this helps.

Really? That's pretty nifty!

IPS Photography wrote:
Not wanting to spend $170 (or whatever the cost may be) on stands for my background paper.  Is their a cheaper alternative?  What have some of you "McGyvered"?

Closet rod and closet rod hangers.....



Meager little studio/garage, but it works for now...:-)

bustlesprout wrote:
Remember not to store your paper mounted.  Always store it standing on end when you're done with a shoot.  If you don't it'll eventually ripple on you.

I don't get it, please explain.  Do you mean mounted on the conduit?  Sorry, this may be a stupid question.

bustlesprout wrote:
I mean don't store it horizontally.  Store it vertically (standing up)..

When left on the stand, the cardboard roll sags over time and the paper stays rippled when unrolled. 

Also if you are going to use a non-standard paper roll support, you may want to have something to keep it from just unrolling off the whole roll- like a clamp to hold the roll in position (a heavy clamp works like a counterweight)  or use a rag stuffed into one end of the roll for a friction hold.

bustlesprout wrote:
I mean don't store it horizontally.  Store it vertically (standing up).  Generally if you store it "mounted" chances are it's horizontal unless you've got a wacky setup.

For most home studio types, storing a 10-foot roll vertically is not practical due to ceiling height limitations. I have stored several rolls in their cardboard containers for years horizontally on brackets in the garage and have never had a warp or ripple as a result. The secret is keeping them in their containers and balancing the weight properly. If you have the brackets separated so that 2 to 2-1/2 feet of the ends of the containers hang out, the torques on the containers due to linear weight pretty much balance out. I recommend the brackets with the soft covers available in the hardware stores. But I certainly agree that the naked roll should not be left hanging horizontally if it is just supported at the ends. That will definitely warp it with time.