Photosel Collapsible Background Disc & Train

JohnN

JohnN

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Hi,

I've searched the site and not come up with much.

Have any of you had experience of their systems?

Here is the link.

They look like Lastolite but cheaper.

Ta
 
I've got one with both black & white trains. Easy to open, takes a bit of practice to fold back up (see youtube for methods). Biggest issue is creases. If you're going to leave it open somewhere, then you can probably steam out the creases and let it be, but if you're going to continually pack and unfold it, creases are a pain. Same for the trains. No idea how it compares to the Lastolite ones.
 
Cheers Darren.

I take it its better than a bedsheet though :)
 
I have one for sale ...it's the interfit one in black INT712....I'll put it in for sale advert if you are interested..
 
I'd be looking for both black and white - thanks though, plus all the images online I've seen for it are just black squares :)
 
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When I purchased it from Warehouse Express, I had to ring them to confirm it was the collapseable one and not just the cloth one ...
 
Hi, i bought a returned one from WEX, ive used it a few times and i guess it depends on how much space you have. personally i find it a pain and if i could go back would buy stands/paper or vinyl.

I think the one i have is pretty much the same as this, its white one side, black the other with train. I stretch the train out and weigh it down at the ends to prevent creasing up when walked on. Its too big to fit in my washing machine if you have any need to clean it.

Also, find and bookmark a youtube video of someone taking it down. Its a nightmare, then when you watch someone and try it yourself, when it works it just seems so easy, the next time you try and youve forgotten how, its like wrestling an alligator again!

Last thing, to use the train you are going to be leaning this against a wall vertically, when im folding mine down its pretty much hitting the ceiling/lights in my house. So check how much space you have and how high your ceilings are to make sure your happy you have the room to work with it.
 
Thanks Jonny - the reason I'm looking at these is that I don;t have that much room.

I have a goal style setup and an interfit backdrop (plus a couple of bedsheets) but I find the supports a bit restricted.

I had considered the Lastolite Litebox (I think thats the name) but the price is a bit steep.
 
No worries - Im sure plenty of peope use them without problem. I actually thought it would be much easier than goalpost ones and when finances permit me i will probably gat something like this: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-wexpro-heavy-duty-3m-background-support/p1529668

Maybe even getting a cheap 2-1 Bessel vinyl backdrop to start.

I guess it depends how often your going to use it, how mobile it will be, and what space you have to work in. For me its a struggle with this thing.

There is the Hilite which looks ideal but expensive like you say.
 
I was hoping to get one of these.

As above space and financial restrictions mean i dont have much choice.
 
I tried placing it against a wall and it worked ok but I found using a single tripod was a lot easier.
 
Thanks again all, now I'm thinking of going ahead with it having got the studio bug again, but now I'm wondering which setup...

Heres the range - link
Grey screen with black & white trains?
Chroma reversible with black + white train?
Chroma green backdrop with B & W trains?

Choices choices!

As a bit of background here my current kit:
  • a goalpost style support
  • a couple of bedsheets (one white, one black)
  • four clips to try and get it taught
  • a couple of light stands
  • something silly like five umbrellas! (I ordered some from 7day forgot all about them as they were out of stock then they got some in :))
  • two flashes (not including the MT-EX24 which I think is mostly for macro)
  • an interfit three light studio setup (the full works but I don;t bring it out due to setup times plus its a bit big for my room)
  • Remote triggers - 2x YN-602RX + 1 600TX (for use with the studio stuff)
  • Just ordered 2x YN-622C for the flashes as they have HSS + ETTL remotely

I think thats it!!

Heres a couple pics I took today - the first using the MT-EX24 as a master (which was awful as I have no fitting for the 85mm plus its too cumbersome), the second using teh YN remotes + manual settings.


Ethan's last day being 1 by magsnorton, on Flickr


Ethan's last day being 1 by magsnorton, on Flickr
 
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Or perhaps a black support with green chrome train (for the kids playing) and white train.

So black and white for portraits, green for fun
 
I was all for it, but now hearing about the creases, I'm not so sure. I have to have something portable.
 
I was/am worried about the creases but having looked at the reviews on Amazon, especially the chroma backdrops where creases can cause all sorts of issues I didn't see any complaints.
 
JohnN said:
Thanks again all, now I'm thinking of going ahead with it having got the studio bug again, but now I'm wondering which setup...

Heres the range - link
Grey screen with black & white trains?
Chroma reversible with black + white train?
Chroma green backdrop with B & W trains?

Choices choices!

As a bit of background here my current kit:
  • a goalpost style support
  • a couple of bedsheets (one white, one black)
  • four clips to try and get it taught
  • a couple of light stands
  • something silly like five umbrellas! (I ordered some from 7day forgot all about them as they were out of stock then they got some in :))
  • two flashes (not including the MT-EX24 which I think is mostly for macro)
  • an interfit three light studio setup (the full works but I don;t bring it out due to setup times plus its a bit big for my room)
  • Remote triggers - 2x YN-602RX + 1 600TX (for use with the studio stuff)
  • Just ordered 2x YN-622C for the flashes as they have HSS + ETTL remotely

I think thats it!!
Click to expand...

I'd say stick with your current goalpost support and bedsheets. The photosel really won't be much better, although it will be quicker to put up/down and take up less space. It's no contender for the Lastolite hilite imo.
 
Thanks Darren I think I agree from what I've read but the hilite only gives high key, and as far as greenscreen fun would go how would you get the fabric taught enough using the goal post type? I've tried getting the bedsheet taught but as soon as its getting good teh stands move in and it goes slack again.
 
JohnN said:
Thanks Darren I think I agree from what I've read but the hilite only gives high key, and as far as greenscreen fun would go how would you get the fabric taught enough using the goal post type? I've tried getting the bedsheet taught but as soon as its getting good teh stands move in and it goes slack again.
Click to expand...

The photosel fabric isn't particularly taught within the frame either; if it was, then there wouldn't be so many creases, but there are. I agree that it's nice to have the option of high light or dark background, but tbh I sometimes just drape the train over my curtain rail and clip it taught, rather than use the collapsible photosel, as I can clip it taughter(?).
 
lol, love the spelling :)

I'd almost talked myself into it, but now you have me wondering - I don;t suppose you have a piccy of it somewhere do you - don't do one especially, just if you have one about so I can see how bad it is.
 
JohnN said:
lol, love the spelling :)

I'd almost talked myself into it, but now you have me wondering - I don;t suppose you have a piccy of it somewhere do you - don't do one especially, just if you have one about so I can see how bad it is.
Click to expand...

Too much wine this evening, hence the poor spelling.

I'll see if I've got a shot....
 
okay, found something....not sure if it helps, but you can clearly see the creases in its open state...


2-3.jpg by BubbleDouble, on Flickr

EDIT: Sorry, I haven't got a shot with the train attached
 
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Cheers Darren, that is a little worse than I'd expected - with your permission can I drop them an email asking if this is the expected standard?
 
JohnN said:
Cheers Darren, that is a little worse than I'd expected - with your permission can I drop them an email asking if this is the expected standard?
Click to expand...

Sure, no worries.
 
Thanks again - I have asked them this question and referred them to this thread.

Hi,

I am considering picking up one of your systems (possibly directly from your main site), however before making the purchase I asked about the kit on a photography forum and have had some worrying feedback.

Here is the link: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=436482
I will be posting this question there too so as to help others.

Here is the link to the thread which you should be able to see, but near the bottom there is an image posted by someone who owns one and it looks creased - is this to be expected or was this a one off?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
The back of the hilite is black...lit properly you can get a range of dark grey to jet black.
 
Oh, I didn't know that - I'd only ever seem them white :)

As ceases are the question of the day - are they crease free and are they easy to store?
 
Hi again.

Here is PhotoSel's reply - so you may want to take it up with them Darren.

The material is not crease free as crease free material will cause high key point under flashing system. But it shouldn't be that crease. There will be very little crease close to the frame, but the center is OK
Click to expand...
 
JohnN said:
Hi again.

Here is PhotoSel's reply - so you may want to take it up with them Darren.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, that's interesting. I just took it for granted that the amount of creases was 'normal' and some leaway was needed in order to fold it up. If it's supposed to be a tighter I may well take it up with them, but considering I purchased it quite a while ago, I doubt they'll do anything about it, but we'll see...

Thanks John :thumbs:
 
I just missed out on a hilite for £130, oh well I would have got one at that price, but £200 plus seems too much for two colapables with walls
 
Darren let us know how it works out as it will give a good idea on how they are at customer support, they were very quick via ebay
 
JohnN said:
I just missed out on a hilite for £130, oh well I would have got one at that price, but £200 plus seems too much for two colapables with walls
Click to expand...

An interesting thread, but John, wasn't it you who was amused by the spelling in one of domino's posts..??:lol:
 
hehe, cheeky so and so - well played ;)
 
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