Pro's & Cons of Vinyl Backdrops

gothgirl

gothgirl

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I'm looking to get a grey background as I want to start shooting portraiture and still life , and working with creative lighting

I was looking into vinyls as only ever used lastolite old style collapsiblesv(not hilites)

What are the pro and cons of vinyls?
 
+ Last ages.
+ Wipe clean.
+ Doesn't crease.

- Very heavy.
- Very large to store.
 
And how would you mount it

Background stand or clips / pin to the wall

I guess it's not reflective of flash etc ?
 
gothgirl said:
And how would you mount it

Background stand or clips / pin to the wall

I guess it's not reflective of flash etc ?
Click to expand...

It comes on a roll, so you can use any mounting method that you would use for paper rolls.

It's not fragile, you'd have to try very hard to tear it.

Why would you want it to be reflective? You usually don't want backgrounds to be reflective.
 
Why not just use paper? Cheaper and plenty of choice of colours.
Either way you need a background support system.
 
CharlotteM said:
It comes on a roll, so you can use any mounting method that you would use for paper rolls.

It's not fragile, you'd have to try very hard to tear it.

Why would you want it to be reflective? You usually don't want backgrounds to be reflective.
Click to expand...

That's what I meant :)
 
Diving Pete said:
You forgot a couple....

Lots more expensive ..
Not ALL vinyl is the same.
Click to expand...

Expensive if you don't use it very often I guess. My vinyl has saved me money in real terms. Additionally I store my backgrounds somewhere with no heating - the paper colours are ruined and the vinyl is still fine.
 
Reflections can be a problem. So can sagging.
In my experience it pays to buy a decent, heavyweight one and to mount it properly. Some of the "Photographic vinyl backgrounds" are nothing of the sort, just cheap, shiny vinyl that is designed for something else entirely.
 
I've got a 3m black, white and grey vinyl system. Rolls are heavy duty and rolled on to a metal core, but they still sag. With the black and white that usually isn't a problem, with grey the sagging is visible within the space I have available. When I replace the grey it will be with paper.

Anyone got a de-sagging solution?

Ben
 
Mrbenjaminjo said:
I've got a 3m black, white and grey vinyl system. Rolls are heavy duty and rolled on to a metal core, but they still sag. With the black and white that usually isn't a problem, with grey the sagging is visible within the space I have available. When I replace the grey it will be with paper.

Anyone got a de-sagging solution?

Ben
Click to expand...
Fix it to the metal core with pop rivets, through a length of alluminium flat
 
I've used vinyl rolls for events for many years now.

I dont really have a problem with sagging, though as has been said, if you're going down this route then make sure you purchase with an alluminium core.

My current (black) roill will shortly be on its 4th season and I'd guess it's had 10's of thousands of people through it, including hundreds of unfeasibly high heels from dozens of school proms.

The white roll I have suffers from scuff marks and needs regular cleaning, but the black only needs a wipe if it gets dusty.

Compare that longevity to paper and it's hugely cheaper, but if you're only shooting occasionally then the price, and the storage / transportation issues need to be considered.
 
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