Porter's dark Cloth

RobertP · Nov 7, 2007

Porter's sells two different types of dark cloth. One is a polyester with pvc coating on both sides and one is a lighter weight nylon that is rubber coated. Has any one compared the two? Which one would stand up to heavy use better? Thanks in advance, Robert

bdial · Nov 7, 2007

Given a choice between non-coated and coated, I'd choose not coated.
A coated darkcloth seems like it would be pretty uncomfortable.
So far, my most successful darkcloths have been obtained at the fabric store.
If you want to get really fancy, get some black cloth, an equal amount of white or some other light color, and get someone to sew them together.

Jim Noel · Nov 7, 2007

Black satin and white corduroy make a very durable and useful dark cloth. Don; make it too small. Mine for 4x5 is 4x5 feet. The one for 7x17 is 8x10 feet.

Jerry Thirsty · Nov 7, 2007

I think he's talking about the blackout cloth, for doing a darkroom. Sorry, I've never tried either myself. Or do you mean to use it for a dark cloth for a view camera as is?

wclavey · Nov 7, 2007

If you are referring to blackout material, I haven't seen the Porter's selection, but my wife made a blackout curtain for each of the doors to the bathroom I use as a darkroom. We purchased the material at the local fabric shop. It is simply blackout curtain material. It is an eggshell colored polyester with a rubberized backing on 1 side - - I do not have the material label anymore. It is very sturdy and works very well - - one of the doors faces a full eastern exposure and even in broad morning sun it blocks the light well.

Make sure that the curtain extends well above and below the door or window opening. You would be surprised how much light comes in and is reflected upward. I use an old towel across the top of the curtain to block stray light at the top. And the curtain is about 9 inches longer than it needs to be so it puddles on the floor to block the light at the bottom completely.

smieglitz · Nov 8, 2007

Robert,

I've used the premium quality thinner material from Porter's for the shroud in my darkbox as well as liner material for camera bellows I have made. I have no experience with the thicker Porter's material but I understand it is not as flexible and I would guess also not as durable. The Rocklan (sp?) curtain blackout material is also thick and is easily damaged. I made my original darktent out of it and then abandoned it because it was just too heavy to lug around. I still use it to cover the acrylic safelight window in the darkroom RV and the darkbox I currently use. I plan to use some of the Porter's premium stuff over the entrance door to the RV because it is lightweight and flexible and it seems to hold up well in others' darkboxes (e.g., John Coffer's). It is basically like the material in the inner bag of a film changing bag.

Joe

reggie · Nov 8, 2007

RobertP said:
Porter's sells two different types of dark cloth. One is a polyester with pvc coating on both sides and one is a lighter weight nylon that is rubber coated. Has any one compared the two? Which one would stand up to heavy use better? Thanks in advance, Robert

I have the rubber coated darkout cloth at home. I have owned it for at least 15 years if not longer. It is still flexible and does a terrific job of blacking out windows, doors, etc. I love the stuff and I highly recommend it.

-R

walter23 · Nov 8, 2007

Good to know it lasts. Like others I've resorted to making some bellows out of it, as I couldn't find anything more suitable. Maybe it's perfect? I haven't seen it yet - it's en route via USPS/CanadaPost.

Ordering from them was a nightmare though. I think the saleslady I talked to had some kind of congenital brain defect that allowed her brain to converse normally but blocked rational action based on that conversation (like "enter address, give customer shipping total, figure out how to not hang up on the customer accidentally for the 7th time". Yes, it took about 7 calls to get my simple one item order completed because I was hung up on everytime I went on hold ).

RobertP · Nov 8, 2007

Thanks guys. Apparently heavier and thicker doesn't necessarily translate into better. Robert

Porter's dark Cloth

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency