Film changing bag or tent

[adam satushek]

I used a bag for years, it was great for traveling, and I had no problems with it....until the day that I did. When I got a whole batch of fogged film back from the lab, I threw the bag in the trash and went to glazers and picked up a Shadowbox tent. It's quite nice, a bit big and heavy for travel, but so is my sinar so it all works out. In my opinion, a $30 bag and/or bathroom at night is fine for beginning, but in the end a nice tent is worth it. If you start with a bag, use it for a while...when you switch to a tent you will enjoy its roominess and comparative coolness that much more.

[John Olsen]

I've found that my expensive bag is breaking up internally and showering the negs with fabric debris. On my February trip I unloaded my film in the bag, then saw I could not use it for loading fresh film. I waited until after midnight in the campground, then taped clothes over the small window in a park latrine and did my film loading there. It was stinky, but no debris on my film. (Really stinky, next trip out I just loaded every film holder I have, so I wouldn't have to reload.) Live and adjust. Maybe a tent is in my future? What's the best brand of tent, by the way?

[Vaughn]

Of course, that's right, Vaughn, but doesn't that pull up have the floor space into becoming sides?

Yeah...one just needs a bigger bag. But it does not have to be tall.

My best changing bag was the shell of my import pick-up...a tarp over the windows to keep out the star light (no other lights in the Alabama Hills), and a clean sheet (kept clean just for changing the 8x10 holders) laid in front of me on the bed. The van I have now (Eurovan) has more windows, so I'll need a bigger tarp. It will be handy for the 11x14.

My worst changing bag -- a sleeping bag!

The best solution is having enough holders that one does not need to change film! My 20 8x10 holders can last me a week. But I used a changing bag (w/o internal frame) for 6 months on the road, biking in NZ with a 4x5...it is doable. I only had 5 or 6 holders with me.

Vaughn

[RawheaD]

When I made this box I thought it would set the world on fire but no one seemed very excited. I still use it now, 3 years later. I've never had a darkroom. Works great. I'd go with a bigger box next time.

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...%28bag-tent%29

So you know how I feel when I disclose a film changing box WITH A FRIGGIN IR CAMERA equipped with it and barely get a notice? LOL

The only time my box doesn't get used is when I'm traveling, and I miss it like hell when I do. Can't imagine doing some of the stuff I do in there without visual aid

[John Kasaian]

I won a Panavision changing bag on Ebay several years ago designed for changing film cassettes in Panavision movie cameras. It's huge and stands up all by itself without a frame(this is dificult to explain) Unfortuanately its not quite large enough for 12x20 It is a cool bit of motion picture history still leading a useful life. albeit with 8x10 B&W instead of Technicolor.
Sometimes I wonder if Sophia Loren was ever inside there?

[Drew Wiley]

... and if you eventually do get a real darkroom or store-bought changing tent, you can always bury your old cat in the backyard in a nice box like that!

[David R Munson]

I've found that my expensive bag is breaking up internally and showering the negs with fabric debris.

Would you mind disclosing the brand? I had that happen with my Photoflex tent, which I replaced with a Harrison tent. It's so much better overall, I'd like to think it won't suffer the same fate in the end.

[Drew Bedo]

In my opinion; There is a place for both the bag and a tent. The tent is great to work in, roomy non-sweaty etc. However, the tent is bulky and heavy to pack, and mine is a little finicky to set up (well maybe its me).

The bag is light and can be folded small enough to fit a side pocket of my camera bag. It is hartder to work in as everything gets in its own way and hot inside. Yet, I can change film on my lap while riding in a car if need be. It can come along in the field and I can change film, reload and keep shooting.
I have even changed 8x10 holders in my bag . . .didn't like it but hey, I was good to go.


I have both and use them.

[C. D. Keth]

Drew, a tent with the poles left out IS a changing bag and is just as light and packs equally as small. To me, the only place for a bag anymore is a a backup to my tent.

[paulr]

Someone should invent a tent with inflatable walls or poles.