Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi all,

Is anyone using something like this:

http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoLightingStands/237086/manfrotto-complete-black-autopole-kit.aspx

I finally have room to build a studio in my new place, and I am considering the Manfrotto brackets and plastic chain driven pulleys for 3 paper rolls with cores. I can't use the Autopoles because the ceiling is 20ft and they only go up to 12ft, and I don't think I can mount them on the wall because of lack of studs due to windows on both sides of the only wall I can set it up.

Is anyone using this with stands at all? I'll be moving some photo gear in tomorrow and will see if I can even fit 2 stands with their feet spread.

I also had the same problem as I have metal studs to support only partition walls. I had limited spacing to I used the autopoles which are awesome! Was getting tired of seeing the tripod feet in my pictures

To answer your question, the manfrotto clamp system is quite awesome, aside for many accessories you can choose from, the clamp can pretty much hold onto any stand/tripod pole. What you can do is pickup a manfrotto clamp and try it on your stand. I don't know the specs what the max and min diameter it supports offhand. From there you can pick the type of holder that "connects" to the clamp such as the pulley system link above or just a simple one roll hook.

I shot at a studio summer (I don't recall the name) and the owner was there and he had a pulley/gear system and he said it was a real pain, in terms of stripped cogs and general flimsyness. I don't know if it was Manfrotto or not.

I have a Manfrotto background kit and love it but i know that is not what you are looking for.
http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProPhotoLigh ... r-bag.aspx

Thanks for the feedback. I have the Photeck kit which is pretty good, I've used at a few clients homes, but I cut down my background paper to 7ft so that easily fits in my car and is less of an issue to set up in someone's home.

I have a 3 of those clamps and they are super strong. My fear is that I may have to clamp them to heavy duty air cushioned stands, which I may not be able to set the legs up as wide as I'd like to room width size constraints. I guess the question is with 3 rolls on the stands, how much extra stabiliation will be required? I have no problem going that route if that is my only option right now for my present budge.

Otherwise I though of setting up metal piping, set up like scaffolding support which will all me to expand the use of the space by mounting the lights from cross sections. As well as being able to leave the walls unscathed when I tear it down should we move.

How high are you planning on hanging the rolls? If it's really high I'd just have a horizontal attachment from the wall (but you don't have any studs there) or a ceiling stud to the stand - so nothing comes down on anyone by accident

Since the angle of view can show me about 12ft of height with 50mm lens, then I'll go 14ft if not on stands, or just over 12ft for the height of the stands.

The problem is the back wall has two huge windows that start close to the edge, so there are no studs in between the window and the wall. Only the left side (when looking at the room from the hall) has a wall, and the other side is the beginning of the back of stair case (open on both sides). The more I think of the piping set up the better it seems, as I can mount lights without the stands ... but that will be a longer term project.

I know I've seen stands that can hold 3 rolls of paper, but how secure is it really? I guess I could some how brace the stands half way up with a cross beam ... hmm.