Ideal Dark/Focusing Cloth?

[Greg Y]

I was never happier than the day I got rid of the BTZ tube. Sticking my head in the rubber coated tube just was plain wrong. I do have a Harrison but use it only on long back-pack trips. I really like my large old-school heavy-weight cotton (weighted w/ steel washers) that I got from Jay Dusard. It's long enough to pull out over the bellows of my old Deardorff and doesn't fly away in the wind. And Frank they're not that finicky.

[Frank Petronio]

I actually just bought a Blackjacket Hybrid Mark II in 4x5 to give it a serious try. The ones I had before came with cameras and were old and used and smelled like the last guy's hair tonic, yuck!

[David A. Goldfarb]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear that guys who still shoot large format also still use hair tonic.

[Frank Petronio]

Of course for the same price or less you could buy a nice quality outdoor gear rain jacket or windbreaker in black and get 90% of the same utility and have a nice jacket as well!

[SergeiR]

Of course for the same price or less you could buy a nice quality outdoor gear rain jacket or windbreaker in black and get 90% of the same utility and have a nice jacket as well!

+1. I used my fleece hoodie this winter, when was shooting in Siberia - worked nice and kept me fingers warm too..

[DennisD]

Which also means "air tight". You can't breathe with your head in a tube.

- Leigh

Leigh, didn't you watch the video on the BTZS "tube". At the end it mentions there's an optional oxygen tank accessory ! Ha ha ! Or should I say LOL ?

[sak]

Thank you all for the great information. Based on everything I've read, and based on the one personal experience I've had fumbling with one hand to hold a traditional rectangular dark cloth in place while the other hand worked the camera controls, I think I'm going to first try the XXXL t-shirt idea for simplicity sake. I might also try the BlackJacket which looks pretty cool, and is relatively inexpensive, but also looks like quite a bit of fabric to haul around and manage on the camera.

Much appreciated!

[yeknom02]

Sounds like I'm a bit late, but I also just use a black Hanes T-shirt. Works great for me.

Just don't get a Fruit of the Loom.

[ROL]

I've found the BTZS "tube" type hoods to be the best for me, light tight from every angle.

-Dan

Coincidentally, I happened () upon this NON-COMMERCIAL video on YT. Seems harmless enough. Bon appétit!

The Ideal View Camera Darkcloth

[jonreid]

Leigh,
Light tight = air tight ? Don't think so.

Which also means "air tight". You can't breathe with your head in a tube.

- Leigh