"The ideal Focus Cloth"

[Jim Rhoades]

Lot's of good advice here that's all over the map. Michael Smith and Paula Chamlee both use and teach the advantages of a large cloth. Of course they use 8x10 and 8x20 cameras so that might have something to do with it. When I use my 5x7 or 8x10 I go to my BTZS cloth or a large homemade one, with small fishing weighs in it and velco on the sides.

But mostly I shoot with a 4x5 Horseman HD. A very small and light camera with a folding hood on the back. When I do need a darkcloth a small black one the size of a towel works fine, so does a jacket or tee shirt. So, big camera big cloth. Horseman, Linhof or Crown Graphic maybe nothing at all.

[Stephen Lewis]

Somebody should make one out of modern microfiber and Goretex-y stuff so it breaths, unlike most of the fancy ones currently sold. Make it like a Patagonia softshell jacket and it would be great.

Hi Frank
The Paramo cloth is made from the same material as their clothing, so it's breathable and waterproof. All I need to do now is persuade them to make it in white or light grey

[kev curry]

£85 plus £5 local shipping for a dark cloth Not in this lifetime!

[Ernest Purdum]

I'm afraid it isn't ideal, but one of my dark cloths started out as a Halloween Dracula cloak.

[Bill_1856]

I'm afraid it isn't ideal, but one of my dark cloths started out as a Halloween Dracula cloak.

But you can only photograph between sunset and sunrise.

(I'm sure this will be the first of many really poor bits of humor about this cloak.)

[Scott Knowles]

I use my Hind Running shell which doubles as a light rain coat. Hey, it's the Northwest. I discoverd most of the time I don't need a focusing cloth, the Horseman comes with a foldout hood which is usually sufficient.

[RicT]

Folks, I appreciate tremendously the time and effort you have spent replying to my question. I like the idea of the tube and also the idea of a large cloth - definitely two sided. I will be oiling up the old Pedal Singer Sewing Machine on the weekend and getting busy creating one - maybe two.
Thanks again

RicT

[Turner Reich]

I second the two toned darkcloth. Get one with white on the one side. Your cool head with thank you.

same here

[john collins]

Have a look at the Blackjacket at quietworksdotcom. I'm using my second one at this point having changed to a larger camera.

[ifer]

i use my film changing bag... which is always in the bagpack