Where to get Flags in the UK / DIY Flags at DVinfo.net

Ben Edwards · December 20th, 2010, 04:28 AM

Just spend some time on google trying to work out where in the UK I can get flags. I came across some on eBay

flag reflec items - Get great deals on items on eBay UK!... but nowhere else. Are these any good. Preferably I want ones that will fold up to put in a Ianiro lilliput lighting bag.

The other option is to make my own flags (maybe out of cardboard painted black). The problem is how to I hold/position them. I thought that maybe I could get a thing like a bulldog clip with a light stand mount so I could fit it onto a lighting stand but cant find anything like that.

Regards,
Ben

Brian Drysdale · December 20th, 2010, 04:53 AM

Prokit seem to have something called Road Rags made by Matthews.

Lighting Kits - Accessories - Prokit - Page 6 name asc

Robin Lambert · December 20th, 2010, 07:21 AM

Road Rags are the hound's testicles.

Easy to set up, fold away to nothing (if you take them out of the bag they come in) and take up no room in your kit bag.

Not cheap (cost about £300 !!!) but worth it as you'll find yourself using them a lot once you've got them.

Ben Edwards · December 20th, 2010, 09:02 AM

Was looking for more of a budget option but thanks for pointing these out, look great.

David W. Jones · December 20th, 2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Edwards

Was looking for more of a budget option but thanks for pointing these out, look great.

Budget options.... Foam-core w/foam-core fork or just attached to the arm of a c-stand.
A roll of Cine-foil or black-wrap.

Bill Mecca · December 20th, 2010, 11:21 AM

sorry I thought mic flags at first.

Ben Edwards · December 21st, 2010, 06:33 AM

Thanks everybody,

I ended up using a 'Calumet Telescopic Zipdisc Holder' (Calumet Telescopic Zipdisc Holder) I already had and used a Flag made of corrugated cardboard.

For a disc reflector holder it is a bit fiddly as it uses 2 bulldog clips but this makes it ideal for a flag holder.

It also can be used as a boom for a light stand as it has a light mounting on the end.

Very versatile bit of kit and only $35!

Ben

Michael Carter · December 22nd, 2010, 03:33 PM

Black foamcore is pretty priceless stuff - you can grab it with a grip head very easily and get it int all kinds of tight spots.

I just ordered a few wide, flat spring clamps that have 5/8" receivers and a 5/8" post on them - looks like they'll be dynamite for holding white or black cards. Bunches of them on eBay in the US and from asia.

I have several of the wire-frame canvas flags (and a couple 24 x 36 diffusors and nets, those are just amazing but hard to replicate DIY - the diffusors can really give you some killer control over softness) which pop into the smaller hole of a grip knuckle and are the "pro" solution. They're getting cheaper in the US with companies like American Grip and Canvas Grip selling them solo and in sets.

But black foamcore is hard to beat - it's stiff enough to extend without flopping, you can cut it to shape, fold it to stand up for a tabletop shot, cut a "spotlight" hole in it to light a face, etc. It's cheap and you can find it in huge sheets. I always have a pile around.

December 20th, 2010, 04:28 AM	#1
Ben Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 85	Where to get Flags in the UK / DIY Flags Just spend some time on google trying to work out where in the UK I can get flags. I came across some on eBay flag reflec items - Get great deals on items on eBay UK!... but nowhere else. Are these any good. Preferably I want ones that will fold up to put in a Ianiro lilliput lighting bag. The other option is to make my own flags (maybe out of cardboard painted black). The problem is how to I hold/position them. I thought that maybe I could get a thing like a bulldog clip with a light stand mount so I could fit it onto a lighting stand but cant find anything like that. Regards, Ben

December 20th, 2010, 09:02 AM	#4
Ben Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 85	Road Rags look nice but am on a budget Was looking for more of a budget option but thanks for pointing these out, look great.

December 20th, 2010, 11:21 AM	#6
Bill Mecca Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 475	sorry I thought mic flags at first. __________________ Award-winning Pine Barrens Documentary! Video, Audio, Music & More

December 21st, 2010, 06:33 AM	#7
Ben Edwards Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 85	Found Solution Thanks everybody, I ended up using a 'Calumet Telescopic Zipdisc Holder' (Calumet Telescopic Zipdisc Holder) I already had and used a Flag made of corrugated cardboard. For a disc reflector holder it is a bit fiddly as it uses 2 bulldog clips but this makes it ideal for a flag holder. It also can be used as a boom for a light stand as it has a light mounting on the end. Very versatile bit of kit and only $35! Ben

December 20th, 2010, 04:53 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Prokit seem to have something called Road Rags made by Matthews. Lighting Kits - Accessories - Prokit - Page 6 name asc

December 20th, 2010, 07:21 AM	#3
Robin Lambert Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Posts: 70	Road Rags are the hound's testicles. Easy to set up, fold away to nothing (if you take them out of the bag they come in) and take up no room in your kit bag. Not cheap (cost about £300 !!!) but worth it as you'll find yourself using them a lot once you've got them.

December 22nd, 2010, 03:33 PM	#8
Michael Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 108	Black foamcore is pretty priceless stuff - you can grab it with a grip head very easily and get it int all kinds of tight spots. I just ordered a few wide, flat spring clamps that have 5/8" receivers and a 5/8" post on them - looks like they'll be dynamite for holding white or black cards. Bunches of them on eBay in the US and from asia. I have several of the wire-frame canvas flags (and a couple 24 x 36 diffusors and nets, those are just amazing but hard to replicate DIY - the diffusors can really give you some killer control over softness) which pop into the smaller hole of a grip knuckle and are the "pro" solution. They're getting cheaper in the US with companies like American Grip and Canvas Grip selling them solo and in sets. But black foamcore is hard to beat - it's stiff enough to extend without flopping, you can cut it to shape, fold it to stand up for a tabletop shot, cut a "spotlight" hole in it to light a face, etc. It's cheap and you can find it in huge sheets. I always have a pile around.