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Where Do You Get Your Supplies Fix?
Thu, 2008-01-17 22:41 — udijw
Nuts, Bolts, Dye, Polypropylene, Muslin, PVC. What do all those have in common? They are all supplies for one or more DIY Photography projects.
Some projects are very easy and you can get the stuff for them by digging through your drawers or junk cabinet (If you read this post, you must have one). Other projects require a trip to the store. But which store?
This post is about helping other photographer find what they are looking for and help you find what you are looking for.
The subject of common mails and comments that I receive is asking about where to get the materials for different projects.
Since I do not live in the United States, I don't always know where to get some of the stuff. DIYP European readers share the same problem; some of the most available supplies in the US are nowhere to be found in Europe.
So, this is where this post comes to the rescue. In the table below, I am going to list some of the more popular projects and the materials that I get allot of questions about. I'd love it if you can help fellow photographers to find some of the stuff. Post the name of your favorite stores, web stores or links to where you get your DIY supplies.
The Flash Mounted homemade DIY Softbox
Polypropylene sheets - Those are kinda like plastic paper. They
sometimes use them to make folders. I get A0 Sized sheets in my local
Office Depot. But it seems that the Office Depot in the US don't stock them at all. You can
always use cardboard, but it is not as durable. If you know where to get them, hit us in the comments.
The Muslin Photography Backdrop
There are two scarce Items here: the Dye (for non US residents) and the wide fabric.
The problem with fabrics is that they usually come too narrow to function as seamless backdrops. One options is to use bed sheets, another is to buy them wide. If you know where to get wide fabric, post a link in the comments.
As for the dye, if you know what else will work well in a project like this other then RIT Dye, drop a note.
The Ghetto studio and other PVC projects
This one is a no brainier for US photographers, but nearly impossible for overseas like me.
PVC pipes are quite common; I can take a short trip to the electric store and get them. The hard part is the connectors. T connectors, Elbow connectors, and hardest of them all the three way connector. I could find any of them around and got them all from eBay. If you know of good places to get them, you know.... the comments.
Hey, are you looking for something around your end of the world and can't find it? post a question in the comments.
If you post a location in the comments, I and a 100,000 more photographers from all over the world are saying thanks you.
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Comments
Perspex
I see lots of overseas photogs using white colored "Perspex". Over in the US, all I can find is the clear plexi glass. It's rather flimsy and expensive as all hell. If anyone knows of a US based "Perspex" vendor, I'd love to hear it.
Persfex
Persfex and Plexi-Glass is the same material
In Israel we call it Persfex.
Personally I use a
Personally I use a combination of Lowe's or the local hardware store, and hobby lobby. Between the 2 I havent had a problem finding what i need.
The plastic sheets you can
The plastic sheets you can get at some hardware stores, but if you want them in town your best bet is likely an arts store or a camera store. I believe my local Hobby Lobby caries them. They're not super cheap, but they're not expensive.
Wide fabric is easy. Joann's, Hancock, Field's, and any other major fabric chains carry interior fabric. It may also be called upholstry fabric. It is very wide. It is NOT cheap, but neither are "pre-made" backgrounds. The upside is you can get a large variety of fabrics, weights, patterns, colours, etc.
As far as dye- try Dylon!! http://www.dickblick.com/zz013/05/ They're products are fantastic. I've never seen it locally, but the colours are pretty self explanitory. I find it much brighter than RIT.
For backdrops in Europe you
For backdrops in Europe you can try IKEA in the curtains section. You can cut them yourself at the size you want.
1/4" and 3/8" bolts
Does anyone know where can these be found in Europe? Even in the UK, an ex "imperial" measure country, I can't find them.
re:bolts
Most reasonably stocked camera stores will have one or more types available behind the counter. Due to the low demand for these items they are often not placed on the shelves, so you have to ask specifically for them. Also if you search for "hama screw" you will find several webshops carrying these.
Hope this helps
-R
Imperial in the UK
1/4" bits and bobs can be found at http://www.modelfixings.co.uk
they may even be able to provide with 3/8" if you email them?
HTH
I'd say for the poly type
I'd say for the poly type sheets check a local art supply store, though I haven't looked its where I would look. as for the 1/4" and 3/8" I think you might be out of luck unless some one opens and ebay store, which wouldn't be a bad idea...
Jacob O'Connell
for the supplies....
for the supplies.... well.... www.modulor.de has *lots* of interesting stuff. Including 650 x 1100 Polypropylene sheets.
AFAIK, Perspex = acrylic sheet = plexi - they're all very very similar, frequently it's only the trademark that's different.
Perspex I got here at a Glass dealer; Muslin I'd go to one of the hobby shops.
R-G.de has lots and lots of interesting things, depending on precisely what you're looking for; they're focussed on modelbuilding and Laminates. Doesn't mean they don't have what you need ;-)
1/4 and 3/8 hardrware
I use to use a mail order company to get hardware supplies www.klockit.com. This is again a place for hobbyist's but it has some very interesting hard to find hardware stuff that could be used in some of these projects.
Places I would look for supplies...
First, hello to the othe Kris with their name spelled the same...
I sometimes stroll through Home Depot and Lowes in my area just looking at things and thinking about all the great stuff I can put together with it. At these locations I have seen all of the parts for DIY iron pipe stands (though 45 streets are hard to come by) and I have never seen an issue with their PVC selection (3 ways seem to be no problem in this aspect). If you want another way to search for online vendors for PVC parts, look for DIY PVC furniture vendors...people actually make lawn furniture like chairs, lounges, benches, tables with this stuff and there are some pretty specific parts needed for some of those projects. Something I found in the lighting section is very large Sterene sheets that usually you see go for a pretty penny in hobby shops for building model railroad buildings and such. It is used as a diffuser for flourescent office lighting...and you can get some funky textures as well)
For some of the other things I have found WalMart, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, to have everything else I would need.
Supplies
Europeans should first have a look at the right margin of the Lighting Mods blog (http://lightingmods.blogspot.com/).
As mentioned, Ikea have a lot of stuff that can be repurposed. Lamps, lampshades, duvets (packing things in and reflector), waste baskets and stuff that you keep your dirty clothes. Everything that is white and/or translucent can be used.
The support site for the "Low Budget Shooting" book is at http://www.lowbudgetshooting.de/. There is a description in the left margin of where he fund some of the stuff in German. The book is useless on materials, but shows you what you can do with the right material and a little imagination.
Some commercial printers may sell you some of their supplies. Lots of their supplies are on rolls and can be wide. Also stiff carton.
Scandinavians should also have a look at shops like Claes Olsson, Biltema, Jysk.
For Norwegians :
Panduro hobby shops may have fun foam (mosegummi) in A4 sheets.
Also Binders, Corporate express, inventum , Kid, Princess, Byggmakker, Felleskjøpet, etc for materials and tools.
Many bookshops have drawing supplies and coloured paper.
keywords in yellow pages: Kontorrekvisita, Hobbyvarer.
Carbon fiber tubes seems to be available from http://www.modellers.com/ (Tønsberg).
greetings,
supplies
In the UK
For pastic sheeting I used a 89p shower curtain from Asda.
The Range has a supply of foam core although its not big enough to make a V card, as well as metallic sticky sheeting which I have found handy.
Second-Hand Stores
Don't forget DIY stuff at second hand-stores like Goodwill for good stuff. I found what looks like an angel food cake pan and adapted it to make a ring flash. I'll post some photos here so you can see.
There's all sorts of cheap things you can adapt into lighting gear.
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