p.1 #1 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
Hi,
I have had a long forced break from my photo hobby, but hope to get back on track soon. I then really need backgrounds, haven't got any yet, because I haven't been able to find a cheap solution that suits my need. I need something that is light and easy to handle, since I'm a wheelchair user, and my budget is also limited.
Recently I discovered the large Botero Supercollapsible backgrounds that has an apron extending onto the floor. You can see them at the company website http://www.fondosbotero.com/homeenglish.htm and at B&H. Collapsed they are around 30" in diameter. Folded out the vertical part is around 100" x 100", and the apron around the same, so totally it is around 100"x200". That should be usable for quite a lot, I guess. The Botero website says that the solid color ones are made from siliconized cardboard. Any who have experience with them and how this material works? Does it wrinkle? Easy to clean? Strong? The big minus with these for me is the price. With everything it amounts to almost $300 when it arrives here. That is quite a lot. Finding a used one though is a possibility. I have seen 2 go at around $50 on eBay now, not sure how overseas shipping of one would turn out though, since it is an oversized item (around 30" before packing).
So I wondered. Have any of you tried making collapsible backgrounds (or reflectors) yourself? What is it that they use for the collapsible frame? What is it called? Where can one get it? What if I e.g. sew a white background attached to the frame, then also make a tight "cover" for it, one side black, the other medium gray (with aprons)? To pull on top of the white one? With the addition of gels, that should give me quite a lot of colors, right? Any idea of which fabrics that would be best for that job besides muslin? Muslin at around 100" is quite reasonable on eBay, so that could be an idea, but the wrinkles... If there are other usable options available (and wide enough), maybe something else would be better?
Any input re. the Botero backgrounds or experience or ideas regarding making backgrounds will be highly appreciated!!! Thanks a lot!!!
p.1 #2 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
The metal frame of the Botero super collapsable is so flimsy that it's very difficult to handle, still needs two light stands to erect, and is very difficult to refold. It also doesn't stretch the (very thin) fabric enough to pull out the wrinkles.
p.1 #3 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
I've got a botero 5x7. I thought I must be a moron since I always have trouble getting it to fold back up, but maybe there is a reason after all.... My 5in1 42" reflectors don't have the same issue.
p.1 #4 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
Botero is very flimsy when set up. It doesn't stay up stiff, and you need some kind of firm support to have it up. Yes, I always had trouble too trying to get it to fold. I know how it went, but for some reason it just didn't want to bend.
p.1 #5 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
I have the 8'x16' collabsible Botero bg and 1) it is flimsy but I can stand it against a wall and it works fine, 2) yes, wrinkles. Are there highly portable, large bg's w/out wrinkles? 3) I'm thinking about making my own, too. Been wondering where to get the springy steel bands, then I saw a sewer line clean-out snake and realized that's the kind of steel band. You can get them in about 1/2" wide or wider and that's wider than Botero's so it should be sturdier. If you do make your own, please, email me and let me know how it came out. 4) My Botero came with an older set of instructions with photos for how to fold. Amazingly easy!! Easier than my 54" reflector.
5) I'll start a thread on how to fold a collapsible background, so everyone who's interested can see how.
p.1 #6 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
I like the Botero for what it is worth. I guess I have a higher than normal tolerance for pain. It is a bit of a hassle to work with, and yes, the wrinkles will have to be dealt with either with lighting or in post with the patch tool. I over use mine due to it's portability and versatility. they also take a gel pretty well.
p.1 #7 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
When I compare portability, ease and quickness of setup of the Botero with an ordinary bagged muslin:
1. I still have to carry and erect two background stands either way. I can't get my Botero to lean against a wall, and I can't depend on always having a wall to lean it against anyway.
2. Clamping the Botero to two stands is more work, takes more time, and looks more silly than running a pole through the pocket of a muslin.
3. Wrinkle for wrinkle, they're a dead heat in how much editing time they take to "iron." The wrinkles of a stuffed muslin take on a pleasing "mottled" look when OOF more easily than the sharp, linear creases of the Botero.
4. Folding the Botero takes more time and looks more silly than pulling a muslin off its pole and stuffing it back into a sack.
I can carry several different bags of muslins more easily than several different Boteros--the muslins stuff into the same case as the stands.
I do have a couple of 5x7 Boteros that are useable, although the fabric is still thin thin.
p.1 #8 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
Thanks for your feedback, all of you! Really useful! Thanks for sharing the photo's, Walter, real nice to see! Like what I see too... I think though that it might just be real worth while to try making my own.
But, maybe a frame of PVC piping would be better? If one could find a way to divide the sides in 3, so they easily can be put together? Might ask a plumber neighbor a bit...
p.1 #9 · Botero or Homemade Supercollapsible Background?
A PVC frame would be really easy to do.
There used to be a PDF floating around on a tinker toys style PVC frame project for making all sorts of scrims and diffusion panels. I probably have it, but I don't know where I would start to look in my archives. Guess that doesn't makes a very good archive. You could use dowels to connect frame sections. The hardest part will be getting a good stretch our on the fabric across the frame. The tighter you make it, the less wrinkles will show.
The Strobist blog just went over the Home Depot backdrop thing a few weeks back. An interesting read if you are looking for on the cheap. Me, I like anything that works. The cheaper the better.
