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 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.
Margaret Bourke White had her dark cloths made to match her outfits. I hope you would do the same.
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.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.
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.XXX-large t-shirts work very well, sort of like a BTZS hood with arm holes (which are not used).
I would think a tuxedo would do nicely........Regards!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.
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!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.
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!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!
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