Weather and LF

Ole · Jan 21, 2005

Don't know if this is the right place, but...

I was just outside to take some picure of last year's flowers in the snow. Weather was fine when I went out, set up the tripod, monted the ancient 18x24cm camera, pointed in the right direction...

As I was putting the lens on (it's a 240 Symmar, where the rear element must be screwed in from behind) it started snowing. When the lens was mounted and I started focusing and fine-tuning the framing, it REALLY started to come down...

When I finally got to "exposing my plates" (film in wooden plate holders, kept in place with glass from picture frames, it was snowing so hard that the snow settled on the dark slide during the 2 second exposure!

Anyone have any good ideas for such weather, drying camera, bellows, film etc?

I'm about to develop the films now. Just checked that yes, there was film in the holder (I loaded it in September, never got around to using it)...

Just need to get my fingers thawed out first!

Tom Stanworth · Jan 21, 2005

not directly, but another suggestion. The Ebony lightwieight weatherproof darkcloth. I have the small one for my rsw45 and it is 100% waterproof, weighs virtually nothing and perfect for these moments! I use it as a hood for mine when teh rain sweps in.

Ole · Jan 21, 2005

I didn't use a darkcloth - just pulled my jacket over my head to shield the GG...

Maybe I should make a lightweight "raincoat" darkcloth?

noseoil · Jan 21, 2005

Hi Ole, I don't get much bad weather here, but I always keep a cheap plastic shower cap in my 4x5 pack. It covers things up while I'm working, but makes it harder to take a shot. An umbrella works best, but sometimes there just aren't enought hands for everything.

Nick Zentena · Jan 21, 2005

It's -24 here right now. My plan is to stay inside-) Umbrella?

photomc · Jan 21, 2005

have used the shower cap before, along with 1 gallon zip lock bags, why not try an old military poncho? They used to keep the parts covered dry.

esearing · Jan 21, 2005

Use a boom lighting clamp and arm on your tripod to hold an umbrella above the camera, unless it is windy. I've also seen pros shoot from under a patio umbrella to block the sun, but I imagine it would work well for rain and snow. Trick is not to cast a shadow over your subject.

Else darkcloth over the belows is always a good idea sun or snow.

Ole · Jan 21, 2005

With my old bright lenses I haven't had much use for a darkcloth up til now, and used a T-shirt when I've needed one. I've learned today that there is a secondary purpose to the darkcloth, so I'll try to get hold of some light raincoat-material to make one for the camera!

If it's too windy for that, and too rainy for th T-shirt, it's too wet and nasty for me too. So then I'll stay indoors

mark · Jan 21, 2005

I got caught in a rain storm while shooting once. When I got back to the car I left the camera open and sitting out on the floor of the back seat and left the camera extended until it was totally dry. After that I found an old gor-tex jacket at a surplus store and have thrown it over the camera while it rains or snows. Works like a charm.

Peter Schrager · Jan 21, 2005

Raincover

Ole-get yourself a nice darkcloth from calumet. One of the zone-VI cloths that are white on side and black on the other. Heavy cloth. White keeps your camera cool in the summer and the dark lets you see well inside the GG. The heaviness also will buffer the camera and you against wind gusts. Works everytime for me. I also ditto just leaving the camera extended to dry out in the car. Then when I get home I can wipe it over.
Peter

jovo · Jan 21, 2005

Umbrellas you can fasten to the tripod or camera are made to attach to beach chairs with a little screw clamp. I think Jack Dykinga'a large format book has a picture of one attached to his camera. It'd be a hoot to see though....brightly colored beach 'brella in the snow. It'll make you the subject of someone else's 'graph which will get posted on photo.net and become photograph of the week causing a seismic jolt of laughter throughout the planet and, and.....or maybe not.

Steve Hamley · Jan 21, 2005

Ole,

Try the REI travel chair umbrella as described by Jack Dykinga in "Large Format Nature Photography" or the Ebony all weather focusing cloth. I have the large Ebony focusing cloth, and it is pricey and a little clumsy to use, but makes a fine compendium shade for those single coated and uncoated lenses. It is a unique product.

Dead Link Removed

http://www.rei.com/product/660330.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_CAMPING_TOC

Steve

mark · Jan 21, 2005

jovo said:
It'll make you the subject of someone else's 'graph which will get posted on photo.net and become photograph of the week causing a seismic jolt of laughter throughout the planet and, and.....or maybe not.

Nah.

10 people would alter the photograph digitally telling the original photog that their rendition was better.

Others would blast poor Ole for not using the latest digital umbrella causing others to trash these commenters with rude comments (the P.net way) and moan about the ancient useless camera Ole is using then...

Helen B · Jan 21, 2005

If using an umberella, I unfasten it from the tripod and just hold it when making the exposure, no matter how light the wind is. A Lowel 'Lobo' is useful for this.

Best,
Helen

rbarker · Jan 21, 2005

I don't want to instigate any sort of nationalist competition, but hiring a member of the Swedish Bikini Team to hold a golf-sized umbrella over the camera is the perfect solution, I think.

Aggie · Jan 21, 2005

Why not carry a heavy thickness, but very lightweight garbage bag and some duct tape? cheap, light, water, and snow proof, and folds really small

Ole · Jan 21, 2005

Now if you'll read back to the first post, you'll see that this didn't happen on a long hike with expedition-style planning.

It happened in my garden! I carried the equipment out, bit by bit, set up, and got caught out by the weather...

There have been many creative suggestions, some useful ones, and several amusing ones. Unfortunately the only access to my garden is through my house (I'll have to show you a picture, I know...), so it's almost impossible to get the Swedish Bikini Team past my wife. The Norwegian team might be easier, but I'm not sure I would like to have her in my garden.

In conclutio, I think I'll think of making a lightweight raincoat-type darkcloth for LF cameras. Ought to keep me out of trouble for a couple of days.

Graeme Hird · Jan 21, 2005

Move to Kalgoorlie. It never snows in my back yard!

I carry a plastic bag from the supermarket. If it rains and I'm unable to put the camera away, I put the bag over the camera and tie it underneath. If I'm ready to shoot and the light suddenly appears, I can rip a hole in the front of the bag, pull it behind the lens and fire.

Do the Swedish Bikini Team carry beer too?

Graeme Hird · Jan 21, 2005

Oh, and an umbrella attached to your tripod could make an interesting (though ineffective) parachute for your LF camera in high winds. Anyone for remote controlled aerial LF photos?

rbarker · Jan 21, 2005

Graeme Hird said:
. . . Do the Swedish Bikini Team carry beer too?

My understanding is that one must hire two - one for the umbrella, and one for the beer. Unfortunately, quantity discounts don't start applying until the 6th team member.

Short of that, a cheap nylon wind-breaker jacket might be a quick and economical solution. Collar at the lens end, snape together around the camera.

lee · Jan 21, 2005

I use a trash bag to put over the camera if I dont have time to put the camera way

lee\c

Graeme Hird · Jan 22, 2005

rbarker said:
My understanding is that one must hire two - one for the umbrella, and one for the beer. Unfortunately, quantity discounts don't start applying until the 6th team member.

Fortunately, I'm likely to want a six pack if there is a bikini team being hired. Making it one for the umbrella and 6 to carry a beer each. How much was that discount? Who's up for the Scene by Hird LF workshop in Kalgoorlie? BYO umbrella.

Ole, some black rip-stop nylon with velcro sown along a couple of edges will give you a good waterproof, light weight darkcloth. You should be able to get some material through a camping supply shop (or buy an old tent at a garage sale?).

Cheers,

Buster6X6 · Jan 22, 2005

Ole
I go to the store where you buy drapery by a meter. Select one light weight water proof in gray( or white) color. and one heavier in black 4x5 feet. Sew three sides as a normal seam, leave one side open.Turn it inside out so the seam is on the inside.Pushing two pieces inside on the open seam sew rest by hand.Iron everything and sew some welcro strips in strategic points and you have dark cloth for about $6.00 and couple of hours to do it.It worked for me

Greg

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