The Lowel Background Support System for Photography and Video is a part of the Lowel Lighting System. The SP 93 isn’t a niche product, it is actually just a set of 2 Lowel KS Stands (KS), 2 Lowel Full Poles (KP), and 2 Interlinks (K1-10). You can buy the parts individually, or you could get the SP-93 and save a few bucks with the background system. (Price Check at Adorama; Price Check at B&H Photo)
Assembly
The Lowel Background Support System is simple assemble and setup only takes about 5 minutes. It probably takes longer to explain it than to do it, but it goes something like this.
You put an interlink on the top of each KS Stand and extend them about head height. Then you connect the two KS stands with either one or two Lowel Full Poles (the Full Poles insert into each other with a male/female connection), to make a “crossbar” and insert each end of the crossbar into the interlinks. You can then raise the height or change the distance between the stands by adjusting the clamps on the stands or poles. Just make sure you tighten all clamps and links when you’re done. Here is an image of the setup using one Lowel Full Pole. (Price Check at Adorama; Price Check at B&H Photo)
Performance
As you would expect from a Lowel product, the background support is strong. Muslin backgrounds are not supplied but you can pick them up anywhere. If your backgrounds have rod pockets in them, you can slide them on to the crossbar “drapery style” - before you put the cross bar up or after by loosening one side of the crossbar from the interlink. If your muslin doesn’t have rod pockets, you can double them over the top rod. I use plastic spring clamps, available at any hardware store (1″-2″ is ideal), to secure mine at the top. When I need my background to be flat I use the spring clamps on the KS stands. The cross bar will also hold rolls of paper, sheets of diffusion material, etc.
The background can be adjusted from a minimum distance of 6′ 6″ to roughly 11-12′ wide. (Price Check at Adorama; Price Check at B&H Photo)
5 Reasons to Buy a Lowel Background SP-93
- Functionality: If you are a regular reader, you will know that I am a huge fan of having every piece of gear pull double-duty. The best thing about buying the Lowel Background System is that it is a set of Lowel stands, so if you are not using the background you can use the KS Stands to hold your lights or you can use the poles to position things.
- The Lowel Interlink System: The interlinks are flexible. You can use them to connect components together to solve various lighting challenges.
- No Backlight Stand Needed: This one is just great. Because the SP-93 uses the interlink system, and it has an additional 5/8 stud, you can mount a backlight on either corner of the background stand without having to waste a stand on it. Again, the double-duty thing. Of course if you want your backlight somewhere besides the upper corners, you’ll need another stand, but I have found that I usually put my backlight or kicker high and to one side.
- It’s Strong: Considering both price-point and weight, the Lowel Background Support Stand is solid. Even without factoring in cost, the background is plenty strong. If necessary the KS Stands have holes in the legs to insert stakes (like camping tent stakes) to keep the item planted. The same holes can also be used to attach Lowel Casters (LC) which allows them to be rolled around.
- Two Tall Light Stands : You can mount the Lowel Full Pole on to the top of a KS Stand and have a light stand that can be extended past 15 feet. So if you need to light something up high or over a crowd, you’re ready to go.
(Price Check at Adorama; Price Check at B&H Photo)
Disadvantages of the Lowel Background Support System
The only thing I wish the Lowel Background Stand had that it doesn’t is a case. If you rarely travel with your background this won’t be much of an issue, but if you do, you will have to come up with some way to transport it. Having a case for storage may be attractive also. Possible options are to put the background in a case you already own, purchase a Lowel case, or find some third party item to store and carry it in. Of course, if Lowel included a case that would likely increase the price. (Price Check at Adorama; Price Check at B&H Photo)
Conclusions
The Lowel Background System is a great addition to any serious photographers studio and in my opinion its strengths far exceed its ability to serve as a background. I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on background systems from the other big companies like Bogen, so I can’t offer a direct comparison to them.
Price Check SP-93
You can purchase one of the budget background kits from other companies that contain a support stand, a nylon case, and a background or two. Those on a limited budget or just starting out might find them to be the only realistic option. Regardless, you may want to take a look at the Lowel Background Support System, especially if you’re in photography for the long haul. Having the versatility and durability of this type of system can’t be underestimated.
PixelsAndSuch review policies are here.
Tags: advice, background, interlink, KS Stand, Lowel, muslin
jon wrote,
A reader sent me an email regarding my lowel sp-93 pictures, wondering about the pictures about how the Lowel background stand is assembled.
The large picture indicates the correct assembly. If you look at the two close-ups of the interlinks with pro-lights on them, you will see how to configure the interlinks. The first picture is the right side and the second is the left side (both as seen from the front).
Link | May 19th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
jon wrote,
……. following up on the above comment …….
You could reverse the left and the right (in which case the lowel crossbar pole would be flipped 180 deg). You could also have the interlinks so that the knobs are in the back of the muslin background stand. I prefer to have them in the front though.
Link | May 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 am