Any ideas for better dark cloth?

AlanC · Aug 27, 2004

I always have problems trying to use my standard dark cloth with my 5x4 when it is windy. I find that I need two hands just to control the cloth in these conditions. This leaves no hand left over to hold the loupe, alter the focus, etc.
Does anyone have any cunning solutions to this problem?

Alan Clark

Francesco · Aug 27, 2004

Try the BlackJacket (google search it). Best purchase I have made this year. Great customer service too.

jovo · Aug 27, 2004

A simple homemade solution is to purchase two extra large (or larger if you can find them) T-shirts, one white and one black, and put one inside the other. The doubled material isn't completely lighttight, but it's been sufficient for my purposes at least. The neck of the shirt fits nicely and tightly enough over the GG that it won't come off easily, and the armholes allow access to the GG with a loupe. The only drawback is that it can be a rather warm experience on a hot day in the sun even with the white shirt on the outside because there's not much ventilation possible. It's cheap enough to try at least, and if it doesn't work out you can just give them to an extra large friend.

bobfowler · Aug 27, 2004

I routinely use 2 or 3 Bulldog clips to hold the cloth to the rear standard of my 5X7. With 4X5, I use a Toyo monocular viewer...

Jim Moore · Aug 27, 2004

Francesco said:
Try the BlackJacket (google search it). Best purchase I have made this year. Great customer service too.

I agree with Francesco. I bought one a couple of months ago and love it.

http://www.quietworks.com/FRAMES_FILES/BJ_WELCOME.html

Jim

Tom Hoskinson · Aug 27, 2004

JMoore said:
I agree with Francesco. I bought one a couple of months ago and love it.

http://www.quietworks.com/FRAMES_FILES/BJ_WELCOME.html

Jim

I agree with Francesco and Jim. The Blackjacket is fantastic! It is very light, does not slip, fall off or blow off the camera, and it provides a really dark environment for composing and focusing.

PS, I have a Calumet Dark Cloth for sale - CHEAP! :rolleyes:

bmac · Aug 27, 2004

I've got the Zone VI from Calumet, it is way heavier than the others I've seen. I have the 8x10 model and it works great for that and 4x5.

Tom Hoskinson · Aug 27, 2004

bmac said:
I've got the Zone VI from Calumet, it is way heavier than the others I've seen. I have the 8x10 model and it works great for that and 4x5.

Yep, that's the one I replaced with the Blackjacket.

AlanC · Aug 27, 2004

Many thanks to you all for your suggestions. I think I'll try the teeshirt idea first, then maybe take a closer look at the blackjacket.

Alan Clark

Flotsam · Aug 27, 2004

Ive been using this self designed, home-made for years and it works great and cost practically nothing.

It's made out of a light, slippery fabric that is easy to move around under. It very light tight, Black on one side Gray on the other. The elastic keeps the cloth securely on the camera and yet is easy to attach and remove.

It is sewn closed for several inches back from the GG which keeps reflected light from hitting it from below while allowing you plenty of access to loupe the glass

I haven't used in high winds but I think that a couple of small pony clips on the back corners would probably weight them sufficiently to keep it from flapping around.

The drawing is not to scale but shows shape and detail.

Ted Harris · Aug 27, 2004

Surprised no one else mentioned it. Try the BTZS cloth/hood from The View Camera store. Small and a dream to use. I've been using one for years. See their website.

sergio caetano · Aug 28, 2004

Similar to Jovo's idea I used "three" XL "black" T shirts. It is light tight. I sewed some velcro in the waist line. In the field I permanently wear it protecting my head like a muslin.

Les McLean · Aug 28, 2004

I agree with Ted, the BTZS cloth from the View Camera Store is compact and very efficient.

Daniel Grenier · Aug 28, 2004

Personnaly, I use bed sheets for my 8x10!

They're cut to 6x4 feet, one black, one white. Sewn together on three sides and turned inside out before sewing the last edge. To easily locate the middle, I have a 10in long red stripe along one edge which I place over the camera - easy to spot, easy to set up. I clamp the cloth on either side of the camera with large "paper clips" and I have two strips of velcrow sewn-in just under where the camera ends up being. I get under it and tie the two strips of velcrow and I'm in business.

Use sheets that have a tight weave count and ones that feels good to the touch without being slippery (forget silk). And. of course, ones that you can not see light thru ;-).

Easy, cheap, and works well. Heck, I can use when I need to take a nap even.

mobtown_4x5 · Aug 28, 2004

I have been struggling with this also. I like to stay under the cloth for long periods, so I am looking for something that will really breathe. I did not care for the blackjacket at all.

Still looking...

AlanC · Aug 30, 2004

I would like to thank everyone for their comments.
Since posting the question I have done some experiments and came up with a simple solution. I sewed a strip of velcro to the front edge of the cloth - in the middle, and stuck a corresponding piece of velcro to the top of the front standard of the camera. With the cloth in place I took its two front corners and pulled them down underneath the front of the camera, and fixed them together with two safety pins.This stops everything blowing about and keeps it dark under the cloth. The cloth is removeable and replaceable without removing the pins, but for convenience when ready to insert the darkslide I simply undo the velcro and pull the cloth off the top of the camera and let it rest on the top of the tripod; exactly like a woman removing a shawl from her head and resting it on her shoulders.
Alan Clark

DrPhil · Aug 30, 2004

I too love my BTZS dark cloth from the view camera store

Any ideas for better dark cloth?

AlanC

Francesco

jovo

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Any ideas for better dark cloth?

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