Lightweight, portable "field" darkroom

[cyrus]

I'm thinking of trying this out (http://www.privacypop.com/privacy-pop-1.html) as a lightweight, portable and easy-to-set up darkroom in the field, especially for wetplate work.
Anyone else tried anything like this?

[coroner12]

I've got a Quickfish ice fishing shelter for wetplate work, an almost lightproof tent that doesn't quite have standing headroom.

http://www.fishusa.com/Eskimo-QuickFish-Series-Ice-Shelters_p.html

[Fourtoes]

Quite a few people using those ice fishing tents now, in various sizes, with great success, after going over the pin prick light leaks from the stitching.

I have one of those hydroponic tents, used twice and put back in its bag, it did the job but was a hassle to put up and down, if I was leaving it in one place as a darkroom it would be fine I suppose.

I just use the back of my van now.

[cyrus]

I suppose the fishing tents have the benefit of stakes to keep them down. But windows?

[Fourtoes]

A bit of rubylith soon sorts that out.

[Drew Wiley]

You can also try army suplus for portable field darkrooms, used for XRays etc by medics.

[Joe Smigiel]

I've got a Quickfish ice fishing shelter for wetplate work, an almost lightproof tent that doesn't quite have standing headroom.


By "almost lightproof" are you referring to the fabric, the floor skirting, windows, or to seams and other stitching? Is the red fabric totally opaque?

Joe

[Michael_4514]

I've seen some reports that this can be used successfully:

http://www.amazon.com/36x20x62-Grow-Hydroponic-Gyosupply-Gyo-1001/dp/B004YXDS9Y

Here's one account:

http://contrastique.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/secret-jardin-darkroom-tent-dr100/

[Joe Smigiel]

The pop-up fish shanties appear to set up and tear down much easier than the grow tents.

[Mike Bates]

Would someone clarify whether they are using the fish huts for film-safe darkroom, paper safe, or wet plate safe?

[Bruce Schultz]

I've only used mine for wet-plate. I'm sure they are not film safe. Paper safe? Dunno.