Got to give props to V-Flat World for their sense of humor. I can imagines those guys laughing every time they make a sale. Remember the $195 price at BandH is marked up from wholesale. So figure they are buying them from V-Flat for no more than $150.
I own these and i can say they are made extremely well. Yes you can make them cheaper but to have the same quality of board you will spend close to the same amount. I do Headshots, product photography and posters for Broadway Musicals and these things have made my life so much easier. They are so versatile and super portable and set up and teardown times are so much easier.
I don't understand what people are complaining about (Gatorfoam Board 32" × 40" 1/2" List $63.99) you would need 2. I doubt this stuff is the quality of a Gator board. so normal stuff is Foam Core Board - 48 x 96" , Black, 1/2" thick 46.60 (need 2) . I work in a basement studio 8ft clearance. so to buy the foam 100.00. 15 dollars worth of velcro and paint. So, you are paying an 80.00 premium so as not to shop for materials paint, cut, assemble and clean up. should I save the 80 bucks? of course. Is my time worth more than the 80 bucks? of course. do I plan to buy these. yes. my onlu concern is durability. So, I need to get it and check it out.
@@Yupthereitism he is not an idiot , he is right, those stupid foams from the stores are expensive. They are not like $20, then cut them and clean them and all the shit I go through doesn’t worth at all the $50-$80 I save.
Their prices are outrageous. Plenty of videos on youtube on making your own foldable ones using hobby lobby materials and pricing around $25 per foldable vflat. Great product, insane pricing. Sad. Make your own 64” x 80”s ftw
I appreciate your attempt to justify the cost by saying, “the foam is much higher quality than what you can find at Lowe’s...” That simply isn’t true, in any way. You can find dense, half inch foam core at any art supply store. Please stop validating this company and their ridiculous pricing structure.
I was going to say the same! I'm surprised he didn't say anything about the seam in this video... I guess it's called sponsorship not honest opinion / review. Can't use it for full body or even half body shots.
@@FStoppers A few years ago I was assisting for this photographer who just hung white/black fabric for flags. Worked really well and so easy to pack up/down.
Where I live in Argentina and soon to be Spain, this kind of V-flat I need because we don't have access to materials of this quality and be able to travel with.
In the beginning, the foam board (DIY) was the wrong kind of foam Insulation! You can get a much denser insulation foam board, But a cheap fix is to get some wood glue that's waterproof when drying. Elmer's water base cleanup wood glue and brown paper and wrap the all thin edges (Thickness edges) to prevent flaking or use duck tape.
Gatorboard is the only way to go, it's very expensive, I've dropped gatorboards in pools and it's still fine....... however when I travel I use ..... fabric, whatever suits you, you can use a nylon type for white and duvatine for black, sew a loop on each end so you can slip it over a matthews arm and use another at the bottom to weight it.... foldable gatorboard...... LOL
Quick question, what lights are you using for the video? Looks a B10 and....? We are considering picking up some B10s for the studio but also for video use instead of another ecosystem.
I just made my own V-Flat using black and white foamcore cover sheets a company was throwing away. Used Velcro and gaff tape I already had. Saved $200 thanks to RUclips tutorial on making your own.
I think you're mostly paying for the convenience of it already built and the quality. It looks like a nice product and probably great if you have the budget but I would rather take the time to DIY-it with foam core from the art store.
There is no reason to drop extra coins., Just continue to use your hardware store/ diy v-flats. Just another video where they got something sent in and now they're trying to push a crazy price tag on you.
WORTH IT IF: - you value your time to make it more than the cost - if you demand a professional look in your gear and not "homemade" looking... - if you want a well built, foldable solution - you're a high-end photographer/videographer and you can afford pro gear WASTE OF MONEY IF: - this is a hobby and nobody cares if your gear looks super clean and professional - you don't need foldable - you don't have the money - you need a bunch of them - you need it 8ft tall not 80" tall - you like DIY
You can make cheap ones using cheap foam boards but for this level of quality you will end up spending closer to this price. If you don't need to travel with it or move it around a lot well perhaps the cheaper thinner foam boards will be fine for you.
No matter how much you talk this up, it's way too expensive for what it is. But if you have the money and are looking forward to having none, go ahead.
one more thing, I wouldn't buy this either, but the price is about what I would expect, ½ gatorboard is about 100 bucks or close for 4 by 8 sheet... it is not foamcore, it is a very different material... it will last forever, doesn't warp, you can toss it in the pool etc.... try standing a 4 by 8 piece of foamcore and see what happens it will bend rightover with time, and it's useless..... suck it up by your gatorboard and it will last as long as you do.....
I agree with what he said - not worth it if you are only going to use them in a studio BUT if you need something like this to take on location, it's a consideration. Notice off to the left in this studio, the stacks of various foamcore reflectors...So, he's just telling the truth - studio? no, on-location, do the math and see if it's worth it to you. Hey, any photographer who is inventing something to make money has my applause.
I know you are trying to sell this for % but $200? REALLY? i get the slimmer version for $20 a sheet in LA from a ProFilm store near me.... Just cut in half, will take probably 30min or so. $40 vs $200... I would buy it if it was $80 for convenience. No way for $200.
"It cost the exact same as two pieces of Gator foam boards"... Your comparing this to gator boards but this doesn't seem like its made out of gator foam. You're comparing apples to oranges.
Definitely one of those “worth it if you got it like that” products. This is STUPID expensive for what it is, they are either trying to price gouge pro shooters or legit believe their product cannot be made for around $30/ each after a short hobby lobby and hime depot visit
Sometimes you can't fit the full ones in your car or you can't find them at all. Here in Puerto Rico they are extremely hard to find. These foldable v flats are small enough broken down that we could have them easily shipped here. -P
Very true. Time is money, so unless you just happen to have some free time (and who has that?) and actually like to DIY, you're getting your money's worth on a very handy tool. Oh yeah, and DIY a carrying bag as well... everything needs handles! : )
That’s outrageous...... I could buy a Godox light for that price (sarcasm)....guess I thought I was back on the Profoto B10 thread ;) 96” foam board is $75-100 for (1) 96x48” panel so cost is comparable. If you are only in studio the foam board and DYI is more cost effective and gives a better result/option. If you are in a home studio or EVER need to travel without assistants and grip trucks bringing full sizes panels is just far from ideal and this product is a great solution. For some, not everyone, but some.... a clean and professional finish is worth spending $200 for this type of product versus $150 or $175 for a DYI project with lots gaffers tape.... hell for that matter you can buy duct tape and save the money of gaffers tape.
"96” foam board is $75-100 for (1) 96x48” panel so cost is comparable" A 4x8 sheet of Gatorboard is $75-110 depending on thickness and where you buy it. There is no way these are made from Gatorboard. Even buying Gatorboard in bulk, with the volume they will actually sell, they would not get a very big discount. At $200 there would be no profit in making these from real Gatorboard, particularly after you add in labor/marketing/the carry bag. If these were truly made from Gatorboard, a know industry(set building/sign making) standard, they would be shouting that fact from the rooftops. Since they do NOT, and given the individual panels 40X40" size, these are most certainly made from the same $20 boards one could buy at Hobby Lobby. I get it, they have to pay rent/labor/marketing/etc, but $200 for something you can build for half the price? This isn't an iPhone or a car that has engineering and special manufacturing requirements to justify the cost vs price, it's foam and tape. Building V-flats, even ones that double fold such as these, is slightly less complicated than building a box fort with your kid. "this type of product versus $150 or $175 for a DYI project with lots gaffers tape...." That's all they use, gaffer tape and velcro. For their price, plus gaff tape and velcro(and what photographer doesn't already own some gaffer tape and velcro), you could build one of these from REAL Gatorboard(which is more durable) with a little sweat equity.
Yes the price is a lot. Do I want it. Yes. Do I think I can make it. Sort of. The V flat I made in my studio is okay. It took my husband and I ages to make it. (go to the hardware store, paint it...) Did we fight while we made it. Yup. For 200 dollars, no trips, no fights... it may be worth it. Plus, I will never make the folding one.
Jesus, it's really just foam core, here I was expecting something made of some lighter plastic composite material. $380 for a two pack on their IG page. Anyone who buys this is a complete fool and you guys endorsing it is just as foolish.
I'm impressed! Impressed he was able to keep a straight face while reviewing $200 foam with velcro.
Got to give props to V-Flat World for their sense of humor. I can imagines those guys laughing every time they make a sale. Remember the $195 price at BandH is marked up from wholesale. So figure they are buying them from V-Flat for no more than $150.
bahahahahaha indeed indeed!
Fast forward to 2022 and they’re still making money hand over fist and people are still buying them.
I own these and i can say they are made extremely well. Yes you can make them cheaper but to have the same quality of board you will spend close to the same amount. I do Headshots, product photography and posters for Broadway Musicals and these things have made my life so much easier. They are so versatile and super portable and set up and teardown times are so much easier.
I don't understand what people are complaining about (Gatorfoam Board 32" × 40" 1/2" List $63.99) you would need 2. I doubt this stuff is the quality of a Gator board. so normal stuff is Foam Core Board - 48 x 96" , Black, 1/2" thick 46.60 (need 2) . I work in a basement studio 8ft clearance. so to buy the foam 100.00. 15 dollars worth of velcro and paint. So, you are paying an 80.00 premium so as not to shop for materials paint, cut, assemble and clean up. should I save the 80 bucks? of course. Is my time worth more than the 80 bucks? of course. do I plan to buy these. yes. my onlu concern is durability. So, I need to get it and check it out.
Joe Beauvais yeah it’s just foam 😭😭
You’re an idiot
@@Yupthereitism he is not an idiot , he is right, those stupid foams from the stores are expensive. They are not like $20, then cut them and clean them and all the shit I go through doesn’t worth at all the $50-$80 I save.
Their prices are outrageous. Plenty of videos on youtube on making your own foldable ones using hobby lobby materials and pricing around $25 per foldable vflat. Great product, insane pricing. Sad. Make your own 64” x 80”s ftw
That is how they made theirs! LoL
I appreciate your attempt to justify the cost by saying, “the foam is much higher quality than what you can find at Lowe’s...” That simply isn’t true, in any way. You can find dense, half inch foam core at any art supply store. Please stop validating this company and their ridiculous pricing structure.
$200 for a FOAM....let that sink in, FOAM board.
I would rather buy more lens
@@gfriend2015 more lens with $200 lol wow
Yes, Just this week, I made these with four 4x4, 1/2in foam core board, Velcro and tape for less than $100.00
Waaaay too much $$$$$ I would dyi it from art supply or Lowe’s
When did Fstoppers merge with the Home Shopping Network ??
Sorry but this seems a bit gimmicky....sorry. so much easier to DIY it.
Khandie Photography haha it’s not easier to dyi. Certainly cheaper though
I was going to say the same! I'm surprised he didn't say anything about the seam in this video... I guess it's called sponsorship not honest opinion / review. Can't use it for full body or even half body shots.
@@FStoppers A few years ago I was assisting for this photographer who just hung white/black fabric for flags. Worked really well and so easy to pack up/down.
Certainly not easier to DIY I guarantee you that.
Where I live in Argentina and soon to be Spain, this kind of V-flat I need because we don't have access to materials of this quality and be able to travel with.
In the beginning, the foam board (DIY) was the wrong kind of foam Insulation!
You can get a much denser insulation foam board, But a cheap fix is to get some wood glue that's waterproof when drying. Elmer's water base cleanup wood glue and brown paper and wrap the all thin edges (Thickness edges) to prevent flaking or use duck tape.
What are the two background lights you're using?
Gatorboard is the only way to go, it's very expensive, I've dropped gatorboards in pools and it's still fine....... however when I travel I use ..... fabric, whatever suits you, you can use a nylon type for white and duvatine for black, sew a loop on each end so you can slip it over a matthews arm and use another at the bottom to weight it.... foldable gatorboard...... LOL
Quick question, what lights are you using for the video? Looks a B10 and....? We are considering picking up some B10s for the studio but also for video use instead of another ecosystem.
WHy does the V Flat look gray at the end-ish of the video (compared to the other foams in the back (left) thanks for the video btw.
Ambia Photography because it’s not lit.
I made this with half inch gator foam ($40) and a roll of tape ($10). Easy DIY project.
Pretty useful toll. For food photography. As it can stand alone. I can carry one less light stand and 1 less reflector holder.
"in the box for free" LOL
I just made my own V-Flat using black and white foamcore cover sheets a company was throwing away. Used Velcro and gaff tape I already had. Saved $200 thanks to RUclips tutorial on making your own.
I think you're mostly paying for the convenience of it already built and the quality. It looks like a nice product and probably great if you have the budget but I would rather take the time to DIY-it with foam core from the art store.
There is no reason to drop extra coins., Just continue to use your hardware store/ diy v-flats. Just another video where they got something sent in and now they're trying to push a crazy price tag on you.
WORTH IT IF:
- you value your time to make it more than the cost
- if you demand a professional look in your gear and not "homemade" looking...
- if you want a well built, foldable solution
- you're a high-end photographer/videographer and you can afford pro gear
WASTE OF MONEY IF:
- this is a hobby and nobody cares if your gear looks super clean and professional
- you don't need foldable
- you don't have the money
- you need a bunch of them
- you need it 8ft tall not 80" tall
- you like DIY
do you know how many V Flats you can make for $200 bucks? about 10 of them lol
You can make cheap ones using cheap foam boards but for this level of quality you will end up spending closer to this price. If you don't need to travel with it or move it around a lot well perhaps the cheaper thinner foam boards will be fine for you.
You didn't clarify if this is gator board or not, the pricing can only be justified if it is which I doubt.
Thanks so much for this 💖 didn't realize it was free now I have to
Um, Scrim Jim. You can get bounce/dark and diffusion.
My husband is a very good handy man. He can do this for me exactly the same with no issues.
No matter how much you talk this up, it's way too expensive for what it is. But if you have the money and are looking forward to having none, go ahead.
one more thing, I wouldn't buy this either, but the price is about what I would expect, ½ gatorboard is about 100 bucks or close for 4 by 8 sheet... it is not foamcore, it is a very different material... it will last forever, doesn't warp, you can toss it in the pool etc.... try standing a 4 by 8 piece of foamcore and see what happens it will bend rightover with time, and it's useless..... suck it up by your gatorboard and it will last as long as you do.....
Id rather pay $40 and DIY for something with fewer seams. I don't normally throw my studio equipment in pools anyway.
I agree with what he said - not worth it if you are only going to use them in a studio BUT if you need something like this to take on location, it's a consideration. Notice off to the left in this studio, the stacks of various foamcore reflectors...So, he's just telling the truth - studio? no, on-location, do the math and see if it's worth it to you. Hey, any photographer who is inventing something to make money has my applause.
I know you are trying to sell this for % but $200? REALLY? i get the slimmer version for $20 a sheet in LA from a ProFilm store near me.... Just cut in half, will take probably 30min or so. $40 vs $200... I would buy it if it was $80 for convenience. No way for $200.
Joke price.
made something similar to this just today, for under $30 dollars.
I refresh my subscriptions everyday hoping for a new video from you guys, thank you for pumping these out!
Another company like pro foto who seem to think photographers will pay any amount of money for something that can be bought much cheaper?
"It cost the exact same as two pieces of Gator foam boards"... Your comparing this to gator boards but this doesn't seem like its made out of gator foam. You're comparing apples to oranges.
Definitely one of those “worth it if you got it like that” products. This is STUPID expensive for what it is, they are either trying to price gouge pro shooters or legit believe their product cannot be made for around $30/ each after a short hobby lobby and hime depot visit
199.00 Come on I made this for 50.00 stop it .
It’s like people have never heard of an art store. So we’ve turned into artist who are lazy to tape foam core
Sometimes you can't fit the full ones in your car or you can't find them at all. Here in Puerto Rico they are extremely hard to find. These foldable v flats are small enough broken down that we could have them easily shipped here. -P
200$ is very expensive
If you're a working photographer, $200 is nothing in the grand schemes of things. You know pro gear is overpriced. Go make your own diy version then.
Very true. Time is money, so unless you just happen to have some free time (and who has that?) and actually like to DIY, you're getting your money's worth on a very handy tool. Oh yeah, and DIY a carrying bag as well... everything needs handles! : )
That’s outrageous...... I could buy a Godox light for that price (sarcasm)....guess I thought I was back on the Profoto B10 thread ;)
96” foam board is $75-100 for (1) 96x48” panel so cost is comparable.
If you are only in studio the foam board and DYI is more cost effective and gives a better result/option.
If you are in a home studio or EVER need to travel without assistants and grip trucks bringing full sizes panels is just far from ideal and this product is a great solution.
For some, not everyone, but some.... a clean and professional finish is worth spending $200 for this type of product versus $150 or $175 for a DYI project with lots gaffers tape....
hell for that matter you can buy duct tape and save the money of gaffers tape.
"96” foam board is $75-100 for (1) 96x48” panel so cost is comparable"
A 4x8 sheet of Gatorboard is $75-110 depending on thickness and where you buy it. There is no way these are made from Gatorboard. Even buying Gatorboard in bulk, with the volume they will actually sell, they would not get a very big discount. At $200 there would be no profit in making these from real Gatorboard, particularly after you add in labor/marketing/the carry bag. If these were truly made from Gatorboard, a know industry(set building/sign making) standard, they would be shouting that fact from the rooftops. Since they do NOT, and given the individual panels 40X40" size, these are most certainly made from the same $20 boards one could buy at Hobby Lobby.
I get it, they have to pay rent/labor/marketing/etc, but $200 for something you can build for half the price?
This isn't an iPhone or a car that has engineering and special manufacturing requirements to justify the cost vs price, it's foam and tape. Building V-flats, even ones that double fold such as these, is slightly less complicated than building a box fort with your kid.
"this type of product versus $150 or $175 for a DYI project with lots gaffers tape...."
That's all they use, gaffer tape and velcro. For their price, plus gaff tape and velcro(and what photographer doesn't already own some gaffer tape and velcro), you could build one of these from REAL Gatorboard(which is more durable) with a little sweat equity.
Nope! $200 for foam.
195€? yeah sure
Yes the price is a lot. Do I want it. Yes. Do I think I can make it. Sort of. The V flat I made in my studio is okay. It took my husband and I ages to make it. (go to the hardware store, paint it...) Did we fight while we made it. Yup. For 200 dollars, no trips, no fights... it may be worth it. Plus, I will never make the folding one.
A joke, right?
v flats ……. my foot.
please stop kemping your eyebrows that much lol
$200??? Hahaha
OMG this is rediculous !!!
Jesus, it's really just foam core, here I was expecting something made of some lighter plastic composite material.
$380 for a two pack on their IG page.
Anyone who buys this is a complete fool and you guys endorsing it is just as foolish.