CowboyStudio Photography Backdrop Supporting System with 9 Feet Updated Crossbar and Case

I have owned a cowboy studio setup for at least 5 years. It has been great over the years but with more frequent daily use over the past 3 years it has begun to wear out. I photograph schools so I have to set up and break down daily. It has been a perfect set for me and I wanted to replace it. The only problem is I wanted to be sure that the size/dimensions were the same as I need to pack it into my Manfrotto case. I read the specs offered and they were completely incorrect. So to be clear this is not a bad review on the product but on the information listed for the provided for the 2550 model. The size listed is 28" when closed --- The crossbar sections are 31.5" and the support stands are 36" when closed. I hope this helps someone like myself that is in need of exact measurements!

I'm not sure if there was an earlier version that this replaced, but is not weak.The stands:When the stands are open, the base measures 36" in diameter, so have plenty of room.The 3 clamps are the plastic screw type with plastic knobs. They are long, measuring 1 3/4 inches. They secure the poles from sliding down and are pretty effective. I have to make sure I unscrew them enough I can slide the crossbar up. The vertical pipes range from just over an inch in diameter, to just under 3/4" diameter for the smallest. The top bolts are secured with wing nuts. The wing nuts are not manufactured to high tolerances, but they work fine.The crossbar:The crossbar is made of aluminum 1" in diameter. It comes in 4 sections. Each section has an aluminum piece that slides into the other piece and latches with a pushbutton. You can set the crossbar to 3 different lengths. You can use just the two end pieces with hole that fit onto the stands. You can then add 2 1/2 foot sections up to the 10 ft.The clamps:These work fine. They have a strong grip and a soft rubber cover that makes them really solid.The bag:This is awesome. It's just a great bag that holds everything and them some. Great if you need to carry the system somewhere along with a couple backgrounds.

After using this product for a year as an on-the-go backdrop, the only complaints I can find I can accept given the price. At one point the bushing that keeps the cross bar together came apart on one of the extension bars, a little super glue took care of that in no time. The stands are a little bothersome to put up and take down with just one person, and more money on air cushioned stands would've taken care of that. Outside of that it has taken every bit of abuse I've thrown at it from toddlers pulling at the material, to adults sitting in the wrong spot and trying to fold the whole setup in half, LOL. You won't find a back drop support as lightweight as this for travel without spending a lot more and still have some of these issues to face. I highly recommend it on a budget!

CowboyStudio Photography Backdrop Supporting System with 10 Feet Updated Crossbar and Case The quality of this backdrop support system is exactly what I was looking for. It is a lightweight portable system which makes traveling with it easy. When used indoors it is as stable as can be, but outdoors it has a tendency to be unstable in windy conditions unless sandbags are used for stability.Due to my indoor space limitations, I generally use this product with 6'X'9 backdrops and herein lies the problem that I have encountered. The product is advertised by Amazon as having a usable width of 6' to 10' in the technical details, this is not however accurate. If you search further down the screen to the manufacture's specifications, I sincerely wish I had looked here prior to making my purchase, you discover that the smallest usable width is actually 6'3.5". This causes a problem when trying to clamp the backdrop to the vertical supports to remove any fold marks or wrinkles from the fabric.Shame on Amazon for misquoting the specifications and bigger shame on Cowboy Studios for manufacturing a product which obviously does not take backdrop sizes into consideration. I have had to drill my own holes in the crossbar to allow for the use of 6'X9' backdrops.

I came from a DIY background stand into this item. The cost between making my own to purchasing this one is negligible. For what I've spent between making my own and the purchase of this one I could have purchased a better quality set. At the time of making my own background stand I did not know how far I wanted to go with portraiture, making my own seemed ideal. That was a year ago.This set does not have AC (air column) control. When you loosen it, it will drop.The top pin threads are not standard for any photographic equipment. I doubt it will hold anything extra any ways. I've put 2 king size sheets and a 9x12 drop cloth of 8oz canvas on it. It held but I was pushing the limits of the center bar. The stands themselves did fine under the weight.The bag is a bit short overall but does contain all the pieces. It does double as a backdrop bag. I'll stuff my small backdrop and clamps into it once I've stored the stands.If you are looking for an occasional backdrop stand, this is it. If you are Pro or thinking of going Pro I do recommend the next step up.

I am giving this product 5 stars because it got here super fast. Also, the case it comes in has individual pockets for each of the light stands --instead of what I was expecting, which was that everything would just fit in the bag together, completely disorganized and bumping into each other. Each of the three pieces of the crossbar has its own place to stay secured in the bag as well.I was a little worried, with a three section crossbar, that it would be a little flimsy with a backdrop hanging on it. To be honest, as of this moment, I have not actually attempted putting a backdrop on it just yet, but initial tests of stretching the product out seem to show that it will hold up well.I will update this review after giving it a proper try with a backdrop, but so far, I am pleased and think this product was well worth the (approximate) $60 I spent on it.