"NEW" darkcloth

[Paul Kierstead]

Jeez, I was just about to lay out bucks for the BTZS one, but I fully intend to shoot in the winter and here temps easily get to -20 Celsius.

Any other suggestions?

[David R Munson]

I still haven't found anything that beats the darkcloth I had my mother sew for me. it's about 3x4', white "blackout" cloth on one side and black corduroy on the other. Plenty big for 4x5 and 8x10, the black cordury just eats up stray light when you're underneath it, the texture of the cordury means it doesn't slip off the camera when you don't want it to, and it's surprisingly warm whe you wrap it around your shoulders in the winter time when you're waiting for the light to change or something. The white outside also keeps you from baking in the summertime when you're shooting in bright sunlight. Those partial to lightweight solutions like the BTZS cloth probably wouldn't like this thing (it's fairly heavy and bulky) but I think it's worth a try for most people and you can't beat the price.

[tim atherton]

"Jeez, I was just about to lay out bucks for the BTZS one, but I fully intend to shoot in the winter and here temps easily get to -20 Celsius."

seriously, the BTZS one gets very stiff at not far below freezing and after that it's very easy to crack the waterproff surfcae coating/layer.

I'd say that Blackjacket looks pretty good if they've actually tested it in the cold. The Harrison cloth is good - basically just a rectangle with velcro - but it's big even for 8x10.

[Ron Bose]

It's really interesting to see the two 'schools of thought' regarding dark cloths.

The BTZS and the Blackjacket hang off the rear standard, whereas I use my dark-cloth to envelope my camera (except for the front of course) as described in the old article in VC.

Interesting ....

[tim atherton]

"The BTZS and the Blackjacket hang off the rear standard, whereas I use my dark-cloth to envelope my camera (except for the front of course) as described in the old article in VC."

why - exactly - do you want to do that?

[Ron Bose]

"why - exactly - do you want to do that?"

Three reasons, first I have a Harrison Dark Cloth which almost drapes on the ground if it were wrapped around the rear-standard.

Secondly, I have an ancient Ansco, which likely has the odd 'leak'. Wrapping the cloth around avoids the issue.

And thirdly, I get less attention when the camera itself is hidden under the cloth - don't ask why, it just do ....

And the most important reason of all - it works for me.

Why Tim, am I doing something wrong ?

[tim atherton]

No Ron, not at all - I was genuinely interested (after I posted I remembered the idea of old cameras with leaky bellows thing - since my old Dorff had brand new bellos and my Phillips obviously does, I'd forgotten about that).

Are you using 4x5 or 8x10 - I know what you mean about the Harrison! Even on 8x10 it's big (but as I only really use it in the winter I just drop it in the snow once I've focused...) but you could bivouac under it. As for the attention - another thing with the Phillips - it's much more stealth bomber than victorian furniture - it's far less conspicuous than the Dorff was.

[Ron Bose]

http://www.ebonycamera.com/acc.html

When I was lurking about the Ebony website I saw the above image of their dark cloth in use and I started to use mine like the picture shows and seems to work pretty well.

My Ansco is an 8x10, but I also have a 4x5 Wisner, for which I use the smaller Toyo lens cloth. With the cloth covering the whole camera the wood and leather are out of the sun. When I'm ready to slot in a film-holder, I just fold the cloth up on to the camera and I have access to the back.

The Ansco is my cheap entry into 8x10, a Phillips is on the wish list ...

[Keith S. Walklet]

Greetings,

I was notified that this discussion about the BLACKJACKET(TM) was underway and have checked back periodically to monitor the progress. As the manufacturer of the BLACKJACKET(TM), I've hesitated to make a posting myself, since I was under the impression it was verboten.

I've received a number of questions off-line from individuals who have contributed to this discussion, and one encouraging me to post my own response. I am happy to use this forum to answer any of your questions, if the membership would like to hear from me.

[Ken Strauss]

Please comment on using the BLACKJACKET at low temperatures.