Watsonville, Calif.-Photoflex has entered the market for photographic and video backdrops with a line of muslin backdrops and two backdrop kits, it was announced today by President Sharon Reeves.

"Customers and dealers have been encouraging Photoflex to offer backdrops and backdrop kits, so we're entering this important part of the marketplace now as part of our goal to become the one-stop shopping place for photographic lighting equipment," Reeves states.

Photoflex BackDrops
Made of durable and washable muslin fabric, the Photoflex BackDrop come in two sizes, 10x12 feet, and 10x20 feet. It will be available initially in five solid colors (black, white, gray, chroma-key blue, and chroma-key green), and five marbled colors (blue, gray, brown, purple, and orange).

The two chroma-key backdrops provide substantially more flexibility for digital photographers and videographers who have benefited from Photoflex's FlexDrop2™ twist-and- fold, reversible blue/green backdrop, which measures 5x7 feet.

Users have the option of either hanging the Photoflex BackDrop from a pole by inserting the pole through a sewn-in channel at either end of the backdrop, or by clipping the backdrop to the pole.

For the 10x12-foot backdrop, retail prices are $134.95 for solid black, white, or gray, and $169.95 for chroma-key solid blue or green. In marbled colors, retail price for the 10x12-foot backdrop is $144.95. For the 10x20-foot backdrop, retail prices are $229.95 for solid black, white, or gray, and $299.95 for chroma-key solid blue or green. In marbled colors, retail price for the 10x20-foot backdrop is $236.95.

First Studio™ BackDrop Support Kit
The First Studio BackDrop Support Kit is part of Photoflex's new First Studio product line aimed at the consumer market for digital imaging, traditional photography, and videography. These kits are designed for budget-conscious photographers who also seek traditional Photoflex quality and reliability.

Designed for consumer use with 12-foot-wide muslin, canvas, or paper backdrops, the First Studio BackDrop Support Kit includes a pole that extends to a width of 13 feet, two support stands that extend to a height of 9 feet, and a carry bag.

Highly portable and quick to set up, the sturdy, all-aluminum pole uses an all-in-one operation so the user can extend and lock the pole in one motion. Most competitors' poles come in three or four pieces, and require assembly with an Allen wrench.

The support stands are designed for light to medium duty, and are available only with this kit. The durable carry bag has multiple sections for easy transport of kit components and other accessories.

Retail price for the First Studio BackDrop Support Kit is $249.95.

Photoflex ProDuty™ BackDrop Support Kit
The Photoflex ProDuty BackDrop Support Kit is designed for professional photographers and videographers who require the highest standards of quality and reliability.

This kit offers a more heavy-duty setup for users of heavy, 12-foot rolls of seamless paper, muslin, or canvas backdrops, who also need taller stands with greater extended height. It includes the same rugged aluminum pole as in the First Studio kit, two sturdy support stands that extend to a height of 12 feet, 6 inches, and a carry bag.

In addition to the strong aluminum pole with one-motion extension and locking capability, the Photoflex ProDuty BackDrop Support Kit provides the same durable carry bag as in the First Studio kit, and features two of the Photoflex LS-2320Y LiteStand. The company's largest LiteStand, the LS-2320Y features oversized knobs, tubing, cast-aluminum extension collars, and leg struts that provide maximum stability and security. It supports a weight of almost 18 pounds.

Retail price for the Photoflex ProDuty BackDrop Support Kit is $274.95.