Creating a changing box

Sully75 · Apr 26, 2010

Hi there,

Just shot my first 5x7 sheet and so excited about my new camera.

I just have a small changing bag that I have been using for 120 film. I realize it's totally inadequate for doing 5x7, particularly since I'm developing in a Bessler 11x14 drum. It was almost impossible to get the film in there.

My idea is to take a rubbermade storage box, cut two holes in it, and glue the arms of a changing bag into it.

I'm just wondering what I should do to make it lightproof. Is tinfoil totally light proof? I was thinking about covering the inside with tinfoil and taping it in with gaffers tape.

This will be for home use only, but do you think the setup as described would work on a bright sunny day?

Thanks!
Paul

roodpe · Apr 26, 2010

I would not use tin foil. A better material is a flocked light trap material. It is thin and adhesive backed. Just line the tub and cover. You should test if it is light tight before you do any serious developing. The material is available at:

http://www.fpi-protostar.com/flock.htm

Pete

Sully75 · Apr 26, 2010

Right...tin foil...reflective...stupid idea.

But that stuff looks pretty expensive. I'm looking for cheap. Is tin foil light tight? How about tin foil lined with a black garbage bag?

Rick A · Apr 26, 2010

How 'bout just buying some cheap black cloth at the local Wallys. I concur with roodpe, no shiny schtuff. Black felt is plenty cheap. Good luck gluing the sleeves from a changing bag to the plastic box.

Joe VanCleave · Apr 26, 2010

Here's an extensive thread over on F295 about a portable darkroom box I built that also permits changing film holders from within. This winter I used it in the comfort of my kitchen, instead of resorting to heating up the cold garage-based darkroom.

~Joe

Sully75 · Apr 26, 2010

Hi Joe,

Thanks for that...read through a lot of it. Any suggestions for a cheap, dust free material to block out light in a plastic box?

Rick, I think that felt would be pretty prone to holding dust.

I'm thinking aluminum foil lined with black plastic trash bags. But open to vetos!

Thanks
Paul

eddie · Apr 26, 2010

I once built a temporary box, using a large enough cardboard box. I lined the inside & outside with the black plastic photo paper comes in. I used the plastic from 11 x 14 paper for the arms. Rubber bands, or Velcro, kept it tight on my arms.

smieglitz · Apr 26, 2010

Keep an eye on ebay for a Fuji Darkbox. FDB-12 or something like that. It is an oversized changing bag attached to folding boards that allow it to be carried like a briefcase. It has an exterior frame and it takes about 10 seconds to assemble. Should have plenty of room to do 5x7 processing.

I'm turning one into a portable wetplate collodion darkbox that I hope will handle full-plate format in the field.

bobwysiwyg · Apr 26, 2010

Sully75 said:
Hi there,

Just shot my first 5x7 sheet and so excited about my new camera.

I just have a small changing bag that I have been using for 120 film. I realize it's totally inadequate for doing 5x7, particularly since I'm developing in a Bessler 11x14 drum. It was almost impossible to get the film in there.

My idea is to take a rubbermade storage box, cut two holes in it, and glue the arms of a changing bag into it.

I'm just wondering what I should do to make it lightproof. Is tinfoil totally light proof? I was thinking about covering the inside with tinfoil and taping it in with gaffers tape.

This will be for home use only, but do you think the setup as described would work on a bright sunny day?

Thanks!
Paul

Not sure where you are, but found this on CL.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/pho/1707228958.html

Sully75 · Apr 26, 2010

Hmmm...not in Michigan, but that does sort of seem like: instead of trying to incorporate the arms of the bag into a box, just make the box an extension of the bag.

smieglitz · Apr 26, 2010

That Noritsu unit is small 12"x12"x10" and meant to develop tiny dental x-rays. OTOH, the Fuji DBK is a cube shape about 24"x24"x24" when assembled . It has about 10x the volume as the Noritsu.

Moopheus · Apr 26, 2010

I got one of those Noritsu boxes on ebay for like $10. It's a good size for loading, say, a 35mm/120-size tank, or a regular 4x5 film holder. It is not big enough for a Jobo tank or a Grafmatic. Perhaps I'll keep an eye out for one of those Fuji boxes too.

bobwysiwyg · Apr 26, 2010

smieglitz said:
That Noritsu unit is small 12"x12"x10" and meant to develop tiny dental x-rays. OTOH, the Fuji DBK is a cube shape about 24"x24"x24" when assembled . It has about 10x the volume as the Noritsu.

It is pretty small, isn't it? I Doubt I could get both my fat hands in there at the same time.

Rick A · Apr 26, 2010

Sully75 said:
Hi Joe,

Thanks for that...read through a lot of it. Any suggestions for a cheap, dust free material to block out light in a plastic box?

Rick, I think that felt would be pretty prone to holding dust.

I'm thinking aluminum foil lined with black plastic trash bags. But open to vetos!

Thanks
Paul

Sorry about the 'felt' it was the first word that popped into my normally empty head. There are some really inexpensive black materials at the sewing supply, I bought some that was 2-ply with one side sort of rubberized(but not rubber)and light tight for $3 a yard. It was 42" wide. I bought 3 yards of it for my darkroom door and window. You could wrap a large cardboard box and make the arms from it.
Personally, I like what Joe Van Cleave made, best looking porta-DR I've ever seen.

John Koehrer · Apr 26, 2010

I've got one of the Fuji's & it's very quick to set up. It is a 24" cube, the access zipper starts half way up the front & goes all the way to the back. Folds into a 24X12X4" package fastened together with good size snap buckles & has a 1" nylon hand strap. The biggest drawback is weight, it's just over 13#.
Room enough to load 8X10 holders with room to spare.

photobizzz · Apr 26, 2010

Use gaffers tape, buy the 2" type, will cost a bit but it is kind of like flocking and is nice and sticky, easy to remove and reposition though. Just an idea

darinwc · Apr 26, 2010

I did exactly what you are talking about. I used a plastic storage bin. I spray-painted it inside and out with black matte.
I only use it indoors. You can hit it with spray adhesive, then add foil, then black paint again if you plan to use it in daylight.
Then again a carboard box would be easier to foil, since its flat.
I shoved the arms from a lightweight black nylon jacket through the holes. I felt better about the longer sleeves.
Very crude, but it works great.

When you are all done, you can also store a bunch of stuff in the bin!

heespharm · Apr 27, 2010

how about a large changing bag with a pvc internal box??

Creating a changing box

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