Would like light support without light stands

I have a spare bedroom I would like to convert into a studio for hobby and

experimentation purposes. I already have one black muslin backdrop and am

planning on getting more. I've seen on B&H studio lighting supports that include

a cross-bar and two light stands. I would like to have a cross-bar that supports

multiple muslins, but is mounted from the ceiling. So there would be no light

stands on the ground. Does such a boom/pole exist?

 

Thanks!

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5172-REG/">Bogen / Manfrotto Background Holder Hooks for 3 Backgrounds # 2921</a> can be wall or ceiling mounted. I'd make sure it was screwed into the studs and wouldn't use hollow-wall anchors. <p>

Henry Posner<br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com"><b>B&H Photo-Video</b></a>

You could look at the Bogen auto-poles.

 

They are basically spring loaded poles that go between the floor and wall and don't have tripod legs.

 

Otherwise, I've seen other people here get gas pipe cut to legnth and take wooden swuare blocks with channels cut in them and screw/nail them to the corners of the walls...

 

-Mario

Check out what Tim did here with wood brackets...

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00HqzM

 

-Mario

With regard to the Bogen background holder hooks, would I need cross-bars for muslin? I see on B&H under accessories for this item it lists cross-bars for paper backdrops only.

Yes, you need a crossbar for muslin. In my basement studio I use electrical conduit with U-bolts to hold it into 2x4s mounted at a 90-degree angle to the ceiling joists. But any sort of support rod will do.

Charles, Another way to hang multiple muslins is to hang them on wire. Place a 12" x 12 " 1" thick wooden board where the ceiling and wall corner meet. Screw into studs. Use eye bolts w/ turnbuckle adjustments to keep heavy gauge wire taught. In the 12" x 12" block you could easily place 3 wire runs. To hang the muslins we use 1" A clamps to hold the muslin material and hang them on the wire with zip ties that go around the wire and through a hole in the A-Clamps grip handle. A 10' - 12 ' wide muslin usually needs 3-4 clamps placed equally apart. Usually we can hang at least 2 muslins on each wire run. The muslins easily slide from side to side to make quick changes and if they need to be taught, without wrinkles or folds simply use A-clamps on each side to secure. I am away from the studio today but if needed I could e-mail or post a photo of our set-up. Just contact me. Good Luck, Mark

taut