PhotoSEL Collapsable Background

danny_bhoy

danny_bhoy

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Was just wandering if anyone has had any experience of PhotoSEL Collapsable backgrounds

Saw this one PhotoSEL BD213A Mid Grey Collapsible Background (18% Reflection) with White & Black Train Add-On 1.5m x 3.5m
http://amazon.co.uk/dp/B002QFU4SK on Amazon and seems remarkably good value for under £90. Especially with the 2 trains which I'd need for children's portraits.

Any input would be great.

Cheers.
 
Last edited:
Got the black and white version. Very useable. Not as good as paper/vinyl but more portable/convenient.

Ironed the train before use, good results.

Selling my train in the classifieds as only used it a couple of times and had bought some vinyl.

S
 
Hi Danny,

I have the one that you're looking at and have had it for quite a while now.
As with anything there are some pros and cons with it :

> It folds up to a very manageable size - it's light, incredibly portable and easy to store.
> It's easy to open out and fold away - Takes less than a second (once you master the knack of folding it back up)
> The white fabric is a good clean white, the black is nice and deep and it's washed well for me without the black going streaky or the white turning grey.
> Despite what some ads may say though, it isn't free-standing. It needs to be leant up against a wall or other supporting structure at the very least.
> Personally, I've always struggled to slot the fabric and train over the core background (possibly just because I'm not tall enough). I find it easier to use clamps to hold it in place on top of the background when I want to use it.
> Not specific to this one but to fabric backgrounds in general - the washing and ironing can become a bit of a chore and be prepared for a bit of PP to tidy up any stray creases in your shots.

I don't regret buying it for a second and I've had great use out of it.
However, I do tend to use paper rolls more often than not unless space and portability is absolutely of the essence (primarily due to the ironing mentioned above :) )

p.s. If you do buy one, be careful when you open it for the first time. These things are VERY springy and it's liable to take your head off :lol:
 
Sir SR said:
Got the black and white version. Very useable. Not as good as paper/vinyl but more portable/convenient.

Ironed the train before use, good results.

Selling my train in the classifieds as only used it a couple of times and had bought some vinyl.

S
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input Shaheed. I'll give you a shout about the train if I buy the background itself.
 
SarahLee said:
Hi Danny,

I have the one that you're looking at and have had it for quite a while now.
As with anything there are some pros and cons with it :

> It folds up to a very manageable size - it's light, incredibly portable and easy to store.
> It's easy to open out and fold away - Takes less than a second (once you master the knack of folding it back up)
> The white fabric is a good clean white, the black is nice and deep and it's washed well for me without the black going streaky or the white turning grey.
> Despite what some ads may say though, it isn't free-standing. It needs to be leant up against a wall or other supporting structure at the very least.
> Personally, I've always struggled to slot the fabric and train over the core background (possibly just because I'm not tall enough). I find it easier to use clamps to hold it in place on top of the background when I want to use it.
> Not specific to this one but to fabric backgrounds in general - the washing and ironing can become a bit of a chore and be prepared for a bit of PP to tidy up any stray creases in your shots.

I don't regret buying it for a second and I've had great use out of it.
However, I do tend to use paper rolls more often than not unless space and portability is absolutely of the essence (primarily due to the ironing mentioned above :) )

p.s. If you do buy one, be careful when you open it for the first time. These things are VERY springy and it's liable to take your head off :lol:
Click to expand...

Cheers Sarah, that's all really helpful.

I'll only be using it occasionally and, more than likely in confined conditions, so it really fits the bill.

The PP-ing of the creases is not a problem. I can imagine it would be for a pro who as hundreds of images from a shoot to trawl through but that's not me just yet :)

Thanks again and I'll bear in mind your anti-decapitation advice :lol:
 
hiya i just got this and struggling to fold it even by watching this video a thousand times already!


i can fold it in half but thats about it, the two sides do not fold outwards like demonstrated on the video.

i would have to force it and maybe i may snap and break it if i do but it just wont give and wont fold the sides like shown on the video above
 
watch the lastolite pop up utube video - they fold up pretty much the same way...
 
jonneymendoza said:
hiya i just got this and struggling to fold it even by watching this video a thousand times already!


i can fold it in half but thats about it, the two sides do not fold outwards like demonstrated on the video.

i would have to force it and maybe i may snap and break it if i do but it just wont give and wont fold the sides like shown on the video above
Click to expand...
I'm not surprised, that video shows a bloke struggling.
Diving Pete said:
watch the lastolite pop up utube video - they fold up pretty much the same way...
Click to expand...
what Pete said
 
practice until you can do it under 5 seconds - I find placing the short edge against a wall & keep turning it into itself is the best & most reliable method for me..
 
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