Looking for a dark "video-friendly" projection screen...

Does anyone have any suggestions for a dark material to use for a front-projection screen (not scan-thru scrim or rear-projection) that would clearly display laser graphics for both viewing and video recording?

I hope to record my semi-annual Christmas laser show this year, so I need to come up with a suitable screen ASAP.
With the exception of scrim, I've always used a white backdrop in the past, which is OK for lasers-only, but really isn't suitable when other lights are used for the show.
(And I use a LOT of different lights for my Christmas show!)

I'm looking for some material that would be available as a single (preferably) or sewn panel, roughly 8' x 6', that could be hung from a small truss system and anchored in the corners.
Any suggestions for the material, color, finish, and a place to purchase (USA) would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Randy

Check with Swami. I know Chris uses a black screen for all of his videos that he posts of the eye melty LSX abstract stuff. I forget the material he uses but I know it's available through photography places.

bhphotovideo and adorama are two good online photo supply stores. Look in to their backdrop sections once you get some advice from swami or others.

i project onto cheap flat black material (mostly i use a big piece of black velvet that came out of my photography light box).

i use a nikon d7000 with exposure and focus locked on manual and i shoot at iso 100, f20, 1/30th of a second exposure time and 30 fps.

your milage may vary, but that should be a reasonable start. if the video is too dim, change the f-stop to a smaller value, or increase the iso.

Appreciate all the info guys -
Looks like I need to do a bit of online shopping at some photography centers!

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Originally Posted by Stuka

Appreciate all the info guys -
Looks like I need to do a bit of online shopping at some photography centers!

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just be careful not to burn holes in your backdrop.. ;) in some of my videos you can see light leaking through an array of pin holes.

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Originally Posted by Stuka

I hope to record my semi-annual Christmas laser show this year,

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Humm... when is your other Christmas? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by swamidog

just be careful not to burn holes in your backdrop.. ;) in some of my videos you can see light leaking through an array of pin holes.

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Point taken! :eek: Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Bradfo69

Humm... when is your other Christmas? :rolleyes:

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Lets see ~
There was the SELEM / Pangolin "Christmas in August" when I jumped in on the APC40 and a second QM.NET.
Then there was the "Christmas in October" when I decided to take the plunge and invest in Light Converse (which I'm still learning, but is going to be VERY cool to use!!)

Then, of course, there's the Christmas at Christmas, when I try to convince my non-laser family and friends that they really do matter. ;)

When the vacation schedule permits, the Randy's Garage "Christmas Lights & Lasers" shows takes place to drive home that last point ~
And since we skipped the event LAST year, it seems to have gotten bigger for this year. :cool:

Unfortunately, my garage is still the same size - should be interesting...

A 10-15% Grey matt paint works well.
This is a white that has been "Greyed" by adding a flat black.
Steve

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Originally Posted by swamidog

if the video is too dim, change the f-stop to a smaller value, or increase the iso.

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I would definitely go with reducing the f-stop. At f/20 diffraction effects around the iris will reduce apparent sharpness. This may not matter for laser shows, but in general a lens' peak sharpness is a few stops down from wide open. My Canon L zoom glass appears sharpest between f/8 and f/10. Other lenses will vary. Wish my DSLR did video. :(

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Originally Posted by tribble

I would definitely go with reducing the f-stop. At f/20 diffraction effects around the iris will reduce apparent sharpness. This may not matter for laser shows, but in general a lens' peak sharpness is a few stops down from wide open. My Canon L zoom glass appears sharpest between f/8 and f/10. Other lenses will vary. Wish my DSLR did video. :(

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i set a high f-stop value because it's so hard for me to focus on the laser projection. f/20 is a pretty forgiving dof. ;)

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Originally Posted by swamidog

i set a high f-stop value because it's so hard for me to focus on the laser projection. f/20 is a pretty forgiving dof. ;)

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Good point. :) Could you pre-focus with the lights on by putting a post-it note on your backdrop?

yes.

the other trick i do is to project a static circle at the beginning of my shows. this helps with size, position, and focus.

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Originally Posted by tribble

Good point. :) Could you pre-focus with the lights on by putting a post-it note on your backdrop?

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