Film Loading Bag.

Keith Tapscott. · Aug 10, 2010

Which film loading bags are available that can comfortably allow 8x10 inch film-sheets to be removed from their holders and placed into a Jobo drum?

I have a Jobo print drum with an extension which will enable me to load four 8x10 sheets at a time, so a fairly long light-proof bag is required.

fotch · Aug 10, 2010

Harrison makes a really large one, don't remember which model it is. I think they only have 3 sizes. Very nice.

fotch · Aug 10, 2010

Try this: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/HT0300/?t=GB01&a=CA01&CAWELAID=36795897

fotch · Aug 10, 2010

More than you wanted to know, the makers site: http://www.cameraessentials.com/harrison_film_changing_tents.htm

Keith Tapscott. · Aug 10, 2010

fotch said:
More than you wanted to know, the makers site: http://www.cameraessentials.com/harrison_film_changing_tents.htm

Thanks for that link fotch.
The Jumbo looks right. My Jobo drum in two-parts is about 25 inches, although I could separate the two sections when safely inside the tent to make loading the sheets easier and then attaching them back together.

Cheers,

Keith.

tlitody · Aug 10, 2010

fuji sold a film tent for labs. I have one, its about a two foot square cube. Can get several tanks and loads of holders in there. And its base folds flat if you don't have space for it to be up all the time. It's the best out there but they are rare now. I got lucky and found mine used on LCE for around £70 I think.
There was a chinese site selling new ones(replicas?) but I can't find it.

fotch · Aug 10, 2010

tlitody said:
fuji sold a film tent for labs. I have one, its about a two foot square cube. Can get several tanks and loads of holders in there. And its base folds flat if you don't have space for it to be up all the time. It's the best out there but they are rare now. I got lucky and found mine used on LCE for around £70 I think.
There was a chinese site selling new ones(replicas?) but I can't find it.

I think that is to small, the Harrison is 6 sq. ft. or 3x bigger.

tlitody · Aug 10, 2010

fotch said:
I think that is to small, the Harrison is 6 sq. ft. or 3x bigger.

I mean 2x2x2 = 8 sq ft. Its 2ft tall being a cube and is big enough for much bigger than 8x10. I know because I have one and previously used one in a lab I worked in.
The harrison one are only tall in the midle. The fuji one can stand 4 tanks up at the back and still have loads of room to work in. The harrison volume is much bigger only because it needs to be because of its shape. Its a pyramid and not a cube.

But the fuji ones are hard to come by so if you are in a hurry the choices are limited.

MACO are doing a super size bag if you can tolerate one of those for big sheet film.
http://www.macodirect.de/changing-super-size-p-1967.html

fotch · Aug 10, 2010

tlitody said:
I mean 2x2x2 = 8 sq ft. Its 2ft tall being a cube and is big enough for much bigger than 8x10. I know because I have one and previously used one in a lab I worked in.

I have no dog in this race, but stacking items 2 foot high in a changing box may not be as helpful as having 50% more floor room to maneuver the film, holder, slide, and drum around. Sort of like parking a car in a garage. Higher ceiling may not help. I also own a Photo-flex which is at least as big as your Fuji box but the height is of no help, otherwise I would have recommended that one also and its only $80 new.

Note! Misspoke about 3x bigger, I should of said 50% bigger, in floor space.

tlitody · Aug 10, 2010

How many people can sleep in it?

fotch · Aug 10, 2010

Are we talking midgets or giants?

tlitody · Aug 10, 2010

fotch said:
Are we talking midgets or giants?

fotches

fotch · Aug 10, 2010

None.

John Kasaian · Aug 10, 2010

Look for an old Panavision changing bag from the motion picture industry---it's practically a sleeping bag with sleeves

tlitody · Aug 11, 2010

A light tight bivvy bag. You can get in there with your film and holders

John Koehrer · Aug 13, 2010

As much as Fotch likes his Harrison, I have a Fuji & don't see any advantage to the larger footprint of the Harrison. The Fuji is 24" per side & gives plenty of room for handling 8X10.
With the straight sides there's no problem with touching the sides unless you start swatting at flies.
The biggest disadvantage is weight, it's 13lbs.

BarryWilkinson · Aug 13, 2010

What about one of these?

Not cheap. They make a larger one if needed?

fotch · Aug 13, 2010

There are several issues that a buyer/user has to factor in and it may be different for everybody.

First, how big does it have to be. When I had my 8x10, I had a darkroom so had no need. Now, 4x5 is as big as I go. So my needs are different that the OP.
Second, using out in the field. I never had a need for this however, it is easy to see that if that is one of the needs, portability is high on the list.
Third, if using only in one spot, making a semi-permanent dark box may be cheaper and better, if one is handy in the shop.

Almost any of these products have merit. The Photo-flex I have purchased, is nice, except it is PITA to set up. Might be easy for others but set it once, and did it again to photograph (will get around to selling it) was enough for me.

I found a like new or never used Harrison on epay for about $100 and its really a great product. Easy to set up or take down and store. I am really satisfied with it.

The one linked to at B&H looks similar, a bit more height room, also looks good, although the new prices of any of these is a deal breaker for me.

I probably would of purchase on of the dark boxes, like the Fuji on epay except they were did not come up that often. The weight would not have bothered me, as long as it could fold up easily and be stored.

UMMV. Different strokes for different folks.

jbbooks · Aug 17, 2010

I use the 3005 drums and load them with the drum standing up. I have a Harrison jumbo and, if I used it for this, the drum would have to be laying on its side. There is enough room to do that, but I have never actually tried loading the drum laying on its side and, frankly, the whole idea of loading a drum inside a changing bag or tent has no appeal for me. If you insist, and loading the drum while it is laying on its side is not a problem, then a Harrison jumbo would work.

Are you not able to convert a bathroom or a closet into a temporary darkroom? I find that to be a whole lot easier and quicker than using a changing bag for anything, that is if there is a large enough enclosed space without windows.

fotch · Aug 17, 2010

jbbooks said:
I use the 3005 drums and load them with the drum standing up. I have a Harrison jumbo and, if I used it for this, the drum would have to be laying on its side. There is enough room to do that, but I have never actually tried loading the drum laying on its side and, frankly, the whole idea of loading a drum inside a changing bag or tent has no appeal for me. If you insist, and loading the drum while it is laying on its side is not a problem, then a Harrison jumbo would work.

Are you not able to convert a bathroom or a closet into a temporary darkroom? I find that to be a whole lot easier and quicker than using a changing bag for anything, that is if there is a large enough enclosed space without windows.

I have not tried loading drums myself so have no dispute to what you say and also would prefer a darkroom in any case, however, maybe the OP needs to use it out in the field. Just a thought.

jbbooks · Aug 17, 2010

I was only trying to let the OP know that what he wanted to do was possible using the Harrison jumbo tent. So, if he truly was in the field his solution would work. I just felt it was only being kind to let him know that I did not recommend it and why, rather than have him find out the hard way.

In the field is where I use the tent to load and unload film holders, but I would not try to develop film there. To me, having to develop film in the field means renting a hotel room. I guarantee; I can put gaffer tape on a bathroom door quicker than I can set up the Harrison tent and the whole process is a lot more comfortable and convenient having some counter space, hot and cold running water and a place to sit.

fotch · Aug 17, 2010

Ah, got it. I would think, but don't know, that out in the field, you would just reload film holders anyway, rather than tanks. If in a motel room, like a darkroom, more options are possible for loading the tanks.

Thanks.

Film Loading Bag.

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