Harrison vs Wanderer 8x10 Dark Cloth

[EDIT: The result of this discussion is that I ordered a Wanderer 8x10 dark cloth; see posts #15-#17 and #25]

I want to get a new 8x10 dark cloth. Harrison is a known quantity. I'm also interested in Wanderer, mostly because it offers colours other than black and white. Its dark cloths cost quite a bit more. I'd appreciate views of Wanderer owners on the product.

Dimensional Difference:
Harrison Medium: 53" x 55" (134cm x 140cm)*
Wanderer: 36" x 56" (91cm x 142cm)

The Harrison, which is in stock at B&H, costs US$79. Wanderer's are $116 or $136, depending on material. There's an "Ultra Light" version, more money, but I don't think that I need the space and weight saving. There's also a waterproof version in four different sizes.

Wanderer's website shows low stock. Intrepid Camera sells some of its dark cloths and has them available. However, I've had an e-mail exchange with Wanderer and it appears that I can get what I would want directly from them.

I'm not interested in BTZS or Blackjacket dark cloths, which I've already looked into, or in buying fabric and making one. I am kind of curious why, apart from Linhof, there don't appear to be any European makers. I have a U.K. Páramo dark cloth, and wrote a post about it, but it isn't available for 8x10.

Thanks for comments.

Harrison B&H link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ssic_Dark.html
Wanderer website: https://www.wandererphotogear.com

* These dimensions are from Camera Essentials, the company that makes Harrison products. B&H's site says 54"x58"

I love my wanderer dark cloth. The fabric is high quality, and the cord makes it easy to attack to the rear frame of the camera. The patterns are also fun and make the camera stand out a bit more (not that 8x10 view cameras don't stand out already). I highly recommend them, I use mine for 8x10, and even though they say its for 4x5 or 5x7 it is definitely large enough for my 8x10 camera.

Is the Wanderer cloth plain fabric that stays supple in cold weather? I like my Harrison cloth very much, but the treated, silvery surface gets stiff in the cold.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ethan

I use mine for 8x10, and even though they say its for 4x5 or 5x7 it is definitely large enough for my 8x10 camera.

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Thanks very much. So yours is 36" x 48" (91cm x 122cm), 8"/20cm shorter than Wanderer's standard 8x10 cloth on the long side.

Did you order your dark cloth with the optional snaps ($12)?

I have the Large Harrison

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ark_Cloth.html

Like it a lot

I use it mostly in studio with Studio Deardorff 11X14

I asked Wanderer about its snaps, which are a $12 addition, and received this reply and drawing:

"The cinch cord goes around the rear standard of the camera - and drapes down below. The snaps effectively keep those two edges of the draped fabric secured together. Making it a bit more tube-like, if you will."

Attachment 223355

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tin Can

I have the Large Harrison

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ark_Cloth.html

Like it a lot

I use it mostly in studio with Studio Deardorff 11X14

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Thanks. I have a Harrison changing tent. Ben Horne has a video on YouTube about Harrison's 8x10 dark cloth, in which he compares it with BTZS's. Coincidentally, Horne and I both have an Arca-Swiss 8x10 and a Lee Filters hood. Horne talks about the Harrison starting at 3:15:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbEsE06g0oM

I replaced a tired Zone VI dark cloth with a Wanderer last year. It is made from quality heavy fabric that stays put in the wind...I don't miss the corner weights. The draw cord is a nice addition. I use it on cameras up to 8x10.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jprofita

I replaced a tired Zone VI dark cloth with a Wanderer last year. It is made from quality heavy fabric that stays put in the wind...I don't miss the corner weights. The draw cord is a nice addition. I use it on cameras up to 8x10.

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Hi, which size Wanderer do you have:

4x5/5x7: 36" x 48" or
8x10: 36" x 56"?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by r.e.

I want to get a new 8x10 dark cloth. Harrison is a known quantity. I'm also interested in Wanderer, mostly because it offers colours other than black and white. Its dark cloths cost quite a bit more. I'd appreciate views of Wanderer owners on the product.

Dimensional Difference:
Harrison: 54" x 58" (137cm x 147cm)
Wanderer: 36" x 56" (91cm x 142cm)

The Harrison, which is in stock at B&H, costs US$79. Wanderer's are $116 or $136, depending on material. There's also an "Ultra Light" version, more money, but I don't think that I need the space and weight saving. There's also a waterproof version in four different sizes.

Wanderer's website shows low stock. Intrepid Camera sells some of its dark cloths and has them available. However, I've had an e-mail exchange with Wanderer and it appears that I can get what I would want directly from them.

I'm not interested in BTZS or Blackjacket dark cloths, which I've already looked into, or in buying fabric and making one. I am kind of curious why, apart from Linhof, there don't appear to be any European makers. I have a U.K. Páramo dark cloth, and wrote a post about it, but it isn't available for 8x10.

Thanks for comments.

Harrison B&H link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ssic_Dark.html
Wanderer website: https://www.wandererphotogear.com

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I’ve gone through them all, including the Wanderer/BTSZ/Dark Cloth/Harrison.

I mostly use the Harrison one (Large) with my 8x10 when I go out. It’s very light and easy to use. The 94” in length give you a lot of flexibility and if you don’t need total darkness, you can just loosely cover the camera with it without wrapping around the entire back, which makes it faster and also makes inserting/removing film holders a bit easier. It’s not the best for windy situations since it’s not weighted but wind and 8x10 camera’s don’t go together that well, regardless of the dark cloth.

I’m more in favor of function than looks— so to me the Wanderer colors don’t mean much, although the fabric is high quality for sure.

For 4x5 I just use a jacket.

Here are the Harrison and Wanderer dimensions again for their 8x10 dark cloths:

Harrison Medium: 53" x 55" (134cm x 140cm)
Wanderer: 36" x 56" (91cm x 142cm)

These three screen captures are from Ben Horne's video about his Harrison Medium (linked in post #7):

This first capture shows his Arca-Swiss rail and camera, which is basically the same camera that I use.

Attachment 223374

Here, Horne shows the dark cloth extending from the front standard to almost its full 53"/140cm length.

Attachment 223375

With the dark cloth still attached at the front standard, this shows him in a working position under the cloth.

Attachment 223376

Further to the above post...

The Wanderer dark cloth is attached at the rear standard. At 36"/91cm, it's 17"/43cm shorter than the Harrison. That's less than the length of the rail on Horne's camera. The Wanderer is also 31% less material. I don't know the weight of the fabrics that Wanderer uses, but that should mean less bulk. The Harrison weighs 1.5lb/680g.

Horne makes the point that he can use the Harrison to protect the camera from rain (he believes that the outer silver material is highly water resistant), and indeed that the Harrison could be used to photograph in the rain. When it comes to purchasing a dark cloth, for me those aren't significant considerations. If I want to photograph in the rain or snow - not a regular event - I'll bring a tarp or someone with a big umbrella. In a good breeze, which is a consideration, I think that I'd prefer to attach a dark cloth at the rear standard.

When it comes to width (i.e. the amount of material draping over the top and sides of the camera and the photographer), the two cloths are essentially the same. The Wanderer is 56"/142cm wide and the Harrison is 55"/140cm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by r.e.

Thanks very much. So yours is 36" x 48" (91cm x 122cm), 8"/20cm shorter than Wanderer's standard 8x10 cloth on the long side.

Did you order your dark cloth with the optional snaps ($12)?

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I didn't get the snaps. I don't think they're needed for 8x10, maybe more so for smaller cameras when there is more slack in the cloth

If we assume that the dark cloth is attached at the camera's rear standard, this is the length of material extending back from the standard and over the photographer's head, and the dark cloth's weight:

Wanderer 8x10: 3 feet (91cm); weight unknown
Harrison Medium: 4.4 feet (134cm); 1.5lb/860g
Harrison Large: 7.8 feet (239cm); 2lb/907g

These are the widths draped over the photographer's head and sides:
Wanderer: 4.7 feet (142cm)
Harrison Medium: 4.6 feet (140cm)
Harrison Large: 4.5 feet (137cm)

Thanks everyone for the input. I've ordered a dark cloth from Wanderer, 8x10 size.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ethan

I didn't get the snaps.

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I've ordered snaps (post #6) with the 8x10 dark cloth. When I receive it, I'll post whether I think that they're useful. Thanks for your posts.

A bit more info on Wanderer Dark Cloths...

I contacted Wanderer by e-mail about stock availability. I dealt with Ryan Gillespie, who describes himself on his Instagram account as co-creator of Wanderer. From the Vancouver, Washington area, it turns out that he makes large format black and white photographs himself. His website is at https://www.gillapie.com It looks like his photographs are 4x5, 4x10 and 8x10.

Ryan told me that 8x10 dark cloths are made to order and that mine should ship by Friday. Shipping is by USPS Priority Post, $15.05 to New York.

Wondered about Wanderer cloths, but still using Harrison. Upside to Harrisons are the weight, which is also a downside when it's breezy. The Harrisons do have velcro for cinching down the elasticized section, but I usually just use binder clips to secure the cloth to the camera back. So far they haven't gone sticky yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 826257

it does-- i've both; use the large lightweight wanderer. it was in daily use for most of 2020.

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Hi, sounds like you're talking about Wanderer's "Ultra Light" dark cloths, weighing about 4oz (123g). Wanderer recommends these for backpacking. How are they if there's some wind?

Sorry I didn't respond yesterday. I have the larger of the two. I think you will be happy with the purchase.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jprofita

I think you will be happy with the purchase.

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Ryan Gillespie says that they do a fair amount of custom work when it comes to fabric, but I'm fine with this colour from Wanderer's website. When I've received the dark cloth, I'll post impressions. If I like it, I may purchase a fabric that I like and send it off to them. This could get addictive :)


Attachment 223446

i'd order a wanderer dark cloth, but the funny fabrics are almost all out of stock :(

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Originally Posted by tykos

i'd order a wanderer dark cloth, but the funny fabrics are almost all out of stock :(

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they re stock them occasionally, usually with new patterns. I think they do most patterns only once.

I received the Wanderer dark cloth today and I'm very happy with it. The material seems to be high quality and it has some substance. It isn't going to flap around in a breeze. Dimensions are 36" x 56" (91cm x 142cm), and I think that 36" is plenty over my head. I also ordered the optional snaps ($12). As Ryan Gillespie says in the quote in post #6, the snaps make the front of the dark cloth a bit "tube-like". They help the dark cloth hold shape around the rear standard, and also block some of the light from below. I think that it's $12 well-spent.

Re the photo of my camera below, I attach the dark cloth around the camera's back (frame, bale, ground glass), but not around the function carrier and rail.

Attachment 223696

Couple of photos of the Wanderer dark cloth with my 8x10 camera. The dark cloth consists of an outer blue fabric and an inner black twill fabric, probably both cotton or a cotton blend. The dark cloth hugs the standard due to a cinch cord, which is visible in the first photo. See the drawing in post #6. I like the fact that there's no Velcro. Wanderer's Instagram Page has photos showing its dark cloths with a wide variety of cameras.


Attachment 223740


Attachment 223741

Might look into making your own or having one made.
Ours is black breathable water/windproof fabric backed by a light grey capilene type cloth on the other side.
In a pinch it can keep us warm as well as keeping the photo gear dry.

A friend sewed it for us, sealing the seams. Still working well and looking good after a lot of use.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by r.e.

Couple of photos of the Wanderer dark cloth with my 8x10 camera. The dark cloth consists on an outer blue fabric and an inner black twill fabric, probably both cotton or a cotton blend. The dark cloth hugs the standard due to a cinch cord, which is visible in the first photo. See the drawing in post #6. I like the fact that there's no Velcro. Wanderer's Instagram Page has photos showing its dark cloths with a wide variety of cameras.


Attachment 223740


Attachment 223741

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looks great! I love how the wanderer cloths add some excitement to the camera, most dark cloths are fairly boring

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Willie

Might look into making your own or having one made.

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As the thread documents, I just had one made :) My first post addresses DIY, which as a practical matter means prevailing on someone who knows how to use a sewing machine to do it for me: "I'm not interested in ... making one".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ethan

looks great! I love how the wanderer cloths add some excitement to the camera, most dark cloths are fairly boring

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Your endorsement helped me make the decision. I think the fact that Ryan shoots large format himself comes through in the design. I assume that it's a small business, and I'm happy to support it. The quality is good, and it's nice to see someone making dark cloths that aren't black and white with swaths of Velcro to make them work.

I'll be on the lookout for fabric for a second. For an 8x10 dark cloth, he needs 1⅓ yd x 1⅔ yards (~1.2m x 1.6m) of material. He'll supply the black twill liner. I think that the price that he's quoted me is quite reasonable.

I just got a Wanderer 2 weeks ago. I'm impressed with the quality of the material and stitching. It's a fairly heavy piece of material and can stand up to a decent breeze. I've taken it out and stuffed in back into my pack quite a bit over the past 2 weeks and it still holds it's shape and looks clean (cold temps, some mist, dropped on the forest floor, etc...). I did not opt to get the extra snaps. I used a bull-clip for the 1st week, and I just sewed on some Velcro tabs...they work well. In retrospect, the $12 would have been worth saving me the time it took to get the tabs and sew them on.

New Ilford short promoting 8x10 film. Looks like a Wanderer dark cloth at 00:58. Best to watch this at 2160p:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVC8-W7C7dM

There's a thread about this video at https://www.largeformatphotography.i...-for-8x10-Film