Cart before the 'Horseblanket'?

[Richard Boulware]

Watching a prior thread about the age old question regarding the best dark cloth to use...I wanted to inject some different thinking, rather get in line twenty-five posts back.

I learned long ago, from using my huge Linhof Kardon 8X10 in my studio, that a wire frame that holds the dark cloth over the GG of the camera is as important if not MORE so, that the material that any dark cloth is made from. It works in daylight just as well as in the studio.

Presently with my mint Technika V, I have a wire frame, bent by hand, that attaches to the rear assembly of my Technika and gives me a huge canopy that I can close easily with my free hand or with wooden close-pins (Ace Hardware), Velcro, or any other way.

My 8X10 Kardon had a twin- hole system in the rear standard, that accepted the 3/16" SS wire frame that 'hung' the dark cloth over the GG which minimized the tendencey for your head..moving out of the GG area....to pull your cloth off of the camera.

I've also made a dark cloth hanging frame out of coat-hanger wire, and bent it to shape, and it works wonders.

Take a deep breath. Grab a pair of pliers, bend a frame to fit on your rear standard, and try it.

I'll bet you will like it. There is no perfect dark cloth. Almost any type will work just fine, with a hanging frame. (:-)

Richard Boulware - Denver.

[Ben Calwell]

Richard,

That's a great idea -- thanks.

[Scott Davis]

My Calumet C-1 has those same holes that you mention on your Linhof. I agree that putting in the frame will be a huge help. I was just looking for something better than the horseblanket I've got now, because it leaks light from underneath.

[John Cook]

I began art school right in the middle of the Viet Nam War. It was The Age of Aquarius in Southern California. Free love, beads, pot and paisley microbuses.

And here I was, just released from active duty less than a week, and looking it. Bigtime! Crew cut, white bucks, bowtie, poster boy for the Young Republican Club. You know the look.

None of the other students would even talk to me. I couldn’t get arrested in that place.

So, in desperation, I grew a big Grisly Adams beard. Was forced to keep it until I retired.

Worked wonders for blocking out the daylight from below my ground glass. Perhaps that’s why all true arty photographers wear them.

Never got into the old Volvo thing, though. No dealers around here then.

[John_4185]

JC I began art school right in the middle of the Viet Nam War. It was The Age of Aquarius in Southern California. Free love, beads, pot and paisley microbuses.

If you remember the Sixties, you weren't really there.

[Steve Wadlington]

I just received a "Blackjacket" in the mail today. Looks like it's going to work real nice. Cinchs down around the rear standard and can still get loupe in for focusing.

[Ed K.]

Seems like everyone has their own special way to work! Here's my

two bucks worth:

As 'Dorfs have the body latches on top, they will nicely hold a dark cloth

that has two button hole slits in it at the right spacing. I use a tube made

from Duvatene that is a little over a foot in diameter and about 2 feet

long. It weighs very little, and the fabric is soft and breathable, even though

it is black. The stuff is cheap and easy to sew too.

The cloth comes out of the gadget bag or film bag where it can serve as

padding, slips right on, and creates a nice dark 8x10 theater.

Removal or installation takes 1 second and it stays in place really

well with no strings, straps or snaps.

While it is easy to slip a loupe in and then let the tube gather a bit to keep light

out, I often simply use +3.75 diopter reading glasses from the local

drug store. The glasses are so strong, one gets the urge to hurl if one

accidentally looks away from something very close, however the ability

to see the whole scene as well as remarkably critical focus is quite nice.

So far, results seem to be the same as using a loupe, but much faster

and also fewer mistakes due to concentrating too much on detailed

small areas instead of minding those stray elements. Glasses cost

between 4 and 8 bucks.

I've used mine in the 98 degree+ summer of California in total comfort,

although I don't spend all that long under the cloth. It seems

that the breathability of it is more effective than a white or silver

outside, plus it doesn't attract more attention. Also, while I haven't

used it in pouring rain, it dries very fast after a light drizzle on it,

which is about all I'm willing to get the camera exposed to.

Spandex sewn on the front and perhaps a couple of pocket slits for

a hand if one must, would cost peanuts if one wanted a smaller

4x5 model. We're talking ten minutes to make it, and a couple

bucks in material - that's the best part - aside from being washable,

it can be replaced cheaply if damaged or worn.

Your mileage may vary...

Your frame idea sounds neat though!