Where can I buy “flocking” material for my Lubitel?

brainmonster · Mar 21, 2020

I’ve heard it’s good to apply flocking material to the inside of this camera to reduce reflections from the plastic construction, question is where can I buy this stuff?

If I search “camera flocking” on Amazon or b and h, I come up with some stuff that costs $20-40 which seems like a rip off.

Does this need to be a special kind of material or could I just use some black velvet type fabric from Walmart and some glue, what kind of fabric and fabric name should I use specifically to do this.

I feel like I should be able to DIY this for a few dollars but I’m not sure if some kind of proprietary “special light absorbing fabric” is necessary, it seems like any type of black textured fabric might work.

gdavis · Mar 21, 2020

I haven't actually used it yet (still waiting for my Sputnik to arrive from Russia) but I picked up a 12x12" sheet of velvet paper from Michaels. Looks like the perfect material.

Use contact cement or spray adhesive (e.g. 3M Super 77).

John Koehrer · Mar 21, 2020

gDavis' flocked paper is easy and inexpensive. I've used it for several projects.

BobD · Mar 21, 2020

There is lots of inexpensive black flocking material on eBay crafts category. It even has an adhesive back.

Dan Daniel · Mar 21, 2020

https://www.fpi-protostar.com/hitack.htm

This is the best stuff to use. Thin. No threads or specks either sticking up or dropping around. I used this on YashicaMats all the time to stop the internal reflections. Very effective.

Also good for thin light seals, but it isn't very compressible like foam.A 24 inch by 15 inch piece will last you a lifetime. Might even drop the company a note and ask if they can send you a few random cutoffs for a few dollars.

I occasionally buy a 24x30 inch sheet, chop it up, and as questions like yours come up, I'll throw some in an envelope and mail it out. Ask for a few dollars in return, which some times happens and sometimes doesn't. No biggie. But I am low and don't need to get a new piece. Maybe buy a chunk and run an ad in the sale section, keep bumping it up, you'll get rid of the extra over a few months.

AgX · Mar 21, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
Also good for thin light seals, but it isn't very compressible like foam.

Maybe good for hinges, if it can stand the wear.

brainmonster · Mar 21, 2020

gdavis said:
I haven't actually used it yet (still waiting for my Sputnik to arrive from Russia) but I picked up a 12x12" sheet of velvet paper from Michaels. Looks like the perfect material.

Use contact cement or spray adhesive (e.g. 3M Super 77).

Yeah I think the velvet material looks good and is the cheapest solution, I think metabones adapters use a velvet like black materialmfor flocking, Looks cheap on ebay, only like 9 bucks for 1 meter piece.

Seems kinda silly to spend $30 on flocking for a $20 lubitel camera

Chrismat · Mar 21, 2020

Dan Daniel said:
https://www.fpi-protostar.com/hitack.htm

This is the best stuff to use. Thin. No threads or specks either sticking up or dropping around. I used this on YashicaMats all the time to stop the internal reflections. Very effective.

Also good for thin light seals, but it isn't very compressible like foam.A 24 inch by 15 inch piece will last you a lifetime. Might even drop the company a note and ask if they can send you a few random cutoffs for a few dollars.

I occasionally buy a 24x30 inch sheet, chop it up, and as questions like yours come up, I'll throw some in an envelope and mail it out. Ask for a few dollars in return, which some times happens and sometimes doesn't. No biggie. But I am low and don't need to get a new piece. Maybe buy a chunk and run an ad in the sale section, keep bumping it up, you'll get rid of the extra over a few months.

+1. I have some from them. Great stuff. However, when applying it to get it in the exact position after you've cut a piece is to coat the sticky side using non scented hand sanitizer, which at the moment is hard to get.

Dali · Mar 21, 2020

Paint the inside of your Lubi with matt black paint for models. You can find Humbrol #33 for $3 nd you can paint dozens of Lubi with it. Just leave the back of the camera open for an hour, the time for the paint to dry and you are done.

summicron1 · Mar 22, 2020

i went to the local craft/hobby store. Self adhesive.

Spraying the inside with flat black primer also works nicely -- just cover the lens first.

AgX · Mar 22, 2020

I got a big can of acrylic paint to make blackboards to write one. This type of paint is in its effect the same that camera manfacturers use.
Though flocked foils would likely be the best choice. There are cameras that got blackboard paint, but most critical parts nevertheless got a sheet of flocked foil installed.

That foil-roll from Protostar seems not available abroad and has to be airmailed from the USA.
But then it likey is sufficient forever.

iandvaag · Mar 23, 2020

I made the mistake of buy flocking paper from Edmund Optics. It was listed at $19.95 US. Then there was shipping. Then when is arrived there were carrier fees. And duties. I think by the time I had it in my hands I had spent nearly $100 CAD!

gdavis said:
(still waiting for my Sputnik to arrive from Russia)

You've made an excellent decision! Medium format 3d (MF3D) is a truly astounding medium, and the Sputnik is no slouch. I'd strongly recommend joining the MF3D group mailing list. There's a small, but dedicated community of artists shooting this format. We share our images in traveling folio boxes, since the only way of experiencing MF3D is to view the slides in a backlit handheld viewer. If you need some slide mounts, send me a DM with your mailing address and I'll send you a few.

Where can I buy “flocking” material for my Lubitel?

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