Collapsible frame for travel

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Veteran
I have to travel for a shoot and it's to a place where we cannot source GnE.

I've really gotten our ideal GnE package down to the bare minimum but I can't, and won't, give up a floppy for our interview negative fill.

Is there a 4x4 frame that is collapsible? Any recommendations? Shipping a fully built 4x4 is out of the questions and as mentioned local sourcing is not possible.

I undertand I could just T-bone some black fabric, but I often like to extend the floppy overhead of subject and have the floppy part drop down. Can't do this with a T-bone.


Thanks in advance!
 
I have a couple of these http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/218751-REG/Chimera_5050_48x48_Reflector_Frame.html

They're really light and small and you can use duvetyne with them to make a floppy. I use them for bounce and the chimera grid a lot. I have two Matthews 4 X 4 floppies that stay home a lot because I'm in my Subaru outback and 4 X 4 won't fit. These frames are a bit of a PIA to set until you get used to them. You need a 2.5" grip head.

I probably need a van but I'm holding out. I'm curious what you have in your bare minimum ideal GnE package.
 
Last edited:
OK, this may be from left field, but give it a look. Very versatile - watch the video - and very fast:

Alzo Easy Frame Reflector Diffuser

It's a few inches smaller than a 4 x4 (dimensions: 40" x 40") and it's under $80. I'm sure you could grab some duvetyne type cloth and quickly fashion another rag to throw on this frame, and do the same with nets and so forth. Very practical and super travel friendly.
 
Westscott Scrim Jims are dynamite for travel. Sizes are kinda oddball, but if you know someone who can sew, it's cheap fabric city - or buy from their decent range of fabrics.

It's a great system, I started using them about 18 years ago and still have original parts and rags working. A little pricey, but man, they pack SMALL and setup fast.
 
Ryan

Matthew's makes a 4x4 Floppy for their RoadRags, but even collapsed the kit's a bit bulky, so consider Advantage Grips' E-Z Travel Flags.

http://www.advantagegrip.com/

Never tried these but been meaning to pick up a set for myself.

Best,
Bern
 
Last edited:
Not a floppy, but I use the Chimera collapsible frames(I have 4x4's and 6x6's). They're aluminum tubes held together with a bungee cord through them kinda like a tent frame. They assemble in less than 30 seconds and break down to half the assembled size length(so the 4x4 would only be about 24") and about as big around as a baseball bat, give or take.
 
This might sound a little crazy but it's really not too out of left field - build one out of 1x2 batten on site? Grips make 4x8 solids (midnights) out of wood all the time. It'll need two stands, but at least you'll have room for another stand since you're not having to carry any sort of frame, and it'll be way cheaper than buying a "real" piece of equipment.
 
Thanks everyone for your answers!

I ended up finding a set of 4x4 frames that break down and settled for them. Won't be hard to travel with as we are shipping other gear, although there were great other products suggested here.


My main thing was to have negative fill in a form of a floppy, and a bounce.

We rented a bunch of 1x1 lite panels and have recently decided to go all battery powered lighting. I plan to build several light panels together for key light, arm one out (menace arm style) for a good old back light, and flag/bounce to get my desired shadow side ratio. We are shooting with RedEpic, C300, 5dmII, Sony A7S, and two GoPro Hero 3's. It's going to be a spray down.

Thanks for all the help. I was honestly overwhelmed at the number of positive and helpful replies!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top