State of the art with Dark Cloths

[EdSawyer]

I have a blackjacket. I got it used, the only thing I don't like about it is the vinyl/silver covering has developed into a sticky surface. I've tried cleaning it to remove the stickiness but it seems to persist. Mildly annoying. :-/

 

[Gadfly_71]

I finally got tired of making do. The T-shirt bit worked ok(ish) but was often a pain and the DIY comando cloth wasn't much better. I now have an Original NOS Kodak dark cloth which is super simple and ridiculously light. It's handy for when I'm trying to keep the weight of my kit down. They pop up from time to time on eBay for reasonable prices. I also have a nice handmade dark cloth from https://www.wandererphotogear.com/ . Double sided, with a really nice light colored fabric on one side and black on the other. It's pretty light tight but breathes which is why I wasn't down with the BTZS cloths. It also has a nice elastic drawstring which makes it easy cinch down without fussing with velcro.

One modification I made to my ToKo was to glue on two large washers (one on either side), to which I added two neodymium magnets. Works great as a simple clamping mechanism without adding a boatload of complication or fuss.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I finally got tired of making do. The T-shirt bit worked ok(ish) but was often a pain and the DIY comando cloth wasn't much better. I now have an Original NOS Kodak dark cloth which is super simple and ridiculously light. It's handy for when I'm trying to keep the weight of my kit down. They pop up from time to time on eBay for reasonable prices. I also have a nice handmade dark cloth from https://www.wandererphotogear.com/ . Double sided, with a really nice light colored fabric on one side and black on the other. It's pretty light tight but breathes which is why I wasn't down with the BTZS cloths. It also has a nice elastic drawstring which makes it easy cinch down without fussing with velcro.

One modification I made to my ToKo was to glue on two large washers (one on either side), to which I added two neodymium magnets. Works great as a simple clamping mechanism without adding a boatload of complication or fuss.

Thanks for the recommendation - I ordered two of those to add to my student kits (the Wanderer Darkcloths). They look really nice and well-made and I think the students will like them (I have an ersatz BTZS-type focusing hood that several of my students found claustrophobic.

 

[WilmarcoImaging]

I use a large bath towel.

 

[Keith Pitman]

Margaret Bourke White had her dark cloths made to match her outfits. I hope you would do the same.

On the other hand, you could wear black and white clothes and match your dark cloth.

 

[Alan Gales]

Margaret Bourke White had her dark cloths made to match her outfits. I hope you would do the same.

Hmmmm. I wonder if Levi's makes dark cloths?

 

[DREW WILEY]

Weights on darkcloths can be a risk to both your eyes and groundglass in strong wind. Velco is a lot safer.

 

[crumpet8]

Seeing as it’s extras for your students you’d probably get away with anything, I only shoot 4x5 so my jacket or shirt works fine. It’s cold here, so the jacket makes it very dark. I could see it becoming a little short on space if working larger though,

 

[jacaquarie]

For what it is worth there is a product Roc-LOn that is the light blocking material for drapes. Double layers are not required. On occasion have found the white with darker colors and now have the single layer cloth that I use.

http://www.roc-lon.com/products/total_light_control.html

 

[GWalls]

Just go to WalMart buy you a Black Out Curtain, comes in a 69" length and about 4 ft wide. Comes in colors but all are Black out. About $10.00.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Bright yellow is nice if you like attracting mosquitoes and bees. Traditional black is preferred by horse flies.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Thanks for the recommendation - I ordered two of those to add to my student kits (the Wanderer Darkcloths). They look really nice and well-made and I think the students will like them (I have an ersatz BTZS-type focusing hood that several of my students found claustrophobic.

I've used the Wanderer dark cloths in the field this weekend with my students. I'm very positively impressed by the design. It is big enough to be roomy when working underneath, stays on the camera thanks to the cord-and-slider design, and doesn't get too hot/sweaty. I'll revisit that last statement in July. Now I only wish they made them in ULF sizes to go with my 14x17.

 

[Gadfly_71]

I've used the Wanderer dark cloths in the field this weekend with my students. I'm very positively impressed by the design. It is big enough to be roomy when working underneath, stays on the camera thanks to the cord-and-slider design, and doesn't get too hot/sweaty. I'll revisit that last statement in July. Now I only wish they made them in ULF sizes to go with my 14x17.

I almost ponied up the extra $$ for the snaps but I'm glad I didn't. I really like mine, right down to the lemon scented starch they used when they ironed it.

 

[Howard Earl]

I also enjoy my Wanderer darkcloth. Also just picked up fabric film sleeves. They hold 2 4x5 film holders.
Nice light addition to my kit.

 

[Punker]

XXX-large t-shirts work very well, sort of like a BTZS hood with arm holes (which are not used).

I second this. Actually just a L shirt works for my 4x5. The collar stretches around and attaches perfectly to the back so that it won't come off.

The Wanderer dark cloths do look mighty purty though.

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

I use a Harrison cloth which was too long, so cut it down and hemmed it. Perfect now.

 

[ransel]

I have been using a Zone VI dark-cloth for the past 30+ years - black on one side white on the other with weights in each corner. It's kind of heavy - which is fine on the camera- but not so much in the backpack.

 

[Vaughn]

Still using my Calumet darkcloth -- white on one side, black on the other. Three feet by four feet. Great for the 4x5 and 5x7. Works well with the 8x10, but on the whole just workable with the 11x14, I'd really prefer a minimum of another 18 inches in both directions. It has kept me warm on a cold winter desert night when I have decided to do a night shot, but was not dressed for it.

I photograph enough in the desert to appreciate the white reflecting the heat. Perhaps a black cloth sewn with a white Gore-Tex layer might be good for me. I would prefer the black layer to not be a slippery material -- to help keep it on the camera.

 

[Arklatexian]

Margaret Bourke White had her dark cloths made to match her outfits. I hope you would do the same.

On the other hand, you could wear black and white clothes and match your dark cloth.

I would think a tuxedo would do nicely........Regards!

 

[Arklatexian]

Still using my Calumet darkcloth -- white on one side, black on the other. Three feet by four feet. Great for the 4x5 and 5x7. Works well with the 8x10, but on the whole just workable with the 11x14, I'd really prefer a minimum of another 18 inches in both directions. It has kept me warm on a cold winter desert night when I have decided to do a night shot, but was not dressed for it.

I photograph enough in the desert to appreciate the white reflecting the heat. Perhaps a black cloth sewn with a white Gore-Tex layer might be good for me. I would prefer the black layer to not be a slippery material -- to help keep it on the camera.

Is that the same darkcloth that Zone VI Studios once sold? If it is, I have one also and the white side out sure helps in our warm Louisiana climate........Regards!

 

[Vaughn]

Is that the same darkcloth that Zone VI Studios once sold? If it is, I have one also and the white side out sure helps in our warm Louisiana climate........Regards!

I do not know -- I bought mine from Calumet in about 1983, along with a Gowland 4x5 PocketView and a Caltar IIN 150/5.6 lens. The lens was ten or twenty bucks more than the camera!

The only warning I have heard about darkcloths was avoiding ones with weights in the corners for outside work. I guess someone at sometime had the wind whip the weight around and break his GG. Might be an old wives tale, but a precautionary one.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Not an old wive's take. I've heard from people who nearly lost an eye due to darkcloth corner weights. Besides, who needs more weight? I use industrial Velcro.