Thread: Portable mirrors?

Does anyone have a portable mirror system? I've seen rolls of mylar, but does anyone have any ideas of where to get this stuff that doesn't end up looking like a funny mirror at the fair?

I have a portable one in my home space. See if you can find a "plastics" manufacturer in your area. The places that specailize in glass cost a lot more. It was a few years ago, but the plastics place in our area also had different thicknesses if I recall correctly. Mine is on a stand that two people can lift.

Lisa

That would depend on how much you want to spend... If you can afford it, these are great:
http://alvas.com/mirrors.html
(I saw them in person in a dance studio once; very nice)

We have one of the Alvas here on campus, and we paid $800 for it. It's just mylar stretched over an insulation board. Very fragile, easy to scratch, and a cheaply made frame for the price. I'm thinking of a roll out.

I was considering those Alva mirrors, but I thought they were expensive and I also thought the shipping would be high, too. I ended up by having custom cut mirrors made to fit the wall dimensions and those cost $800 each in Costa Mesa, California and those were the cheapest around. I would rather pay $800 for glass then the mylar ones at Alva especially since you confirmed that they aren't that great after all.

Don't get me wrong, they're amazing and handy. But for me, I could make them cheaper!

I totally agree with your assessment regarding those mirrors. I think the regular glass mirrors are better. The only downside is that they are heavy to transport so if you place them someone where they will remain "fixed" for a while then you don't have to worry about it. I guess the advantage of the alva is that they are light weight and more easily portable. I read that they actually show your true reflection more accurately than a glass mirror. Did you find that to be the case or could not tell the difference when you looked at yourself in a glass mirror versus an alva mylar mirror? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts as this was something I was considering when I was going to purchase the Alva mirrors. Or is the difference miniscule/negligible.

I think they are the same as a glass mirror as to refletion, but I think that light reflects better off glass.

Is Mylar some sort of mirror-on-a-roll? I tried that in my garage and it all went a bit pear-shaped because the walls are rougher than they look. All bumpy, blurred and stuff (which is possibly a good thing!).

BUT ... I am not going to give up - it is just too cheap an option not to experiment with. I reckon that if I get a veerrrry smooth piece of board and mount the mirrored stuff onto it carefully, I might be in business. And it will be v portable because it will be v light hopefully.

Will let you know how I get on.

I'm working with this company. The studio owner bought some, but I don't think he got the right thickness/weight. We all look like we're in a fun house :P

http://www.mirrorsheeting.com/