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Shooting in the rain
Title says it all! I’m on a trip shooting 4x5 this weekend and it looks like I’m gonna get rained out tomorrow and potentially Sunday. Does anyone have tips for shooting in the rain? I had a couple ideas, first was to set up the tripod in the backseat and shoot thru the window. Other was wrap bellows in plastic bags and try to use a combo of umbrella to shoot. Any tips are appreciated!
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Re: Shooting in the rain
I haven't tried this myself, but it could work. You might have to keep your film and other accessories in the car nearby since the space is limited. Since you won't have time to order it from Amazon before the weekend, Walmart and REI carry similar tents. Very quick pop-up design.
https://www.amazon.com/portable-chan...+changing+tent
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Re: Shooting in the rain
heavy rain, I wouldn't even try--LF takes time to setup, and I'd hate to do that in the rain unless you have a foolproof way to keep it dry. A very light rain, I might be willing to set everything up under an awning, wrap it with a water resistant dark cloth so you can walk the camera and tripod to the location, then frame and focus and shoot with the darkcloth keeping most of the water off the camera. The Harrison dark cloths may work for that. The silver side looks like it could be water resistant. The other option is just to plan for cover. Some older SUVs have rear hatchs that when opened, create a roof that extends ~3ft from the car. The location might have places you could setup. A portable cover like Peter links to may also work, if its easy to setup and tear down.
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Re: Shooting in the rain
From about 2000 to 2010 I drove a 1991 Vanagon Carat, the Weekender model which was 50% converted to a Westfalia camper. In the pouring rain I could open the sliding side door and shoot my with 11x14 from inside the Vanagon while at the same time brewing up a hot cup of coffee. Almost all the time using the camera up next to the ceiling and with my longest lens, at the time, gave me the best point of view. Had to be careful though because the 1991 was nothing like my 1971 weekender which was amazingly good off road here in New England. The much heavier and with less ground clearance 1991 was more of a road vehicle.
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Re: Shooting in the rain
A black shower curtain liner will work for a waterproof dark cloth in overcast light.
It's large enough to cover the bellows, and won't mildew afterwards when hurriedly packed away wet.
A half pint of Brandy will ward off any chills.:rolleyes:
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Re: Shooting in the rain
Heavy duty large black garbage bags are great for covering equipment even in hard rain. I would recommend a large enough but relatively lightweight umbrella that you can find a way to attach to the tripod. Once you set up at location, extend the umbrella to keep rain off the camera. You can fold up the garbage bag to continue covering the bellows and the lens.
Rain reduces contrast and improves color saturation. I won’t go out in rain if there is even a slight wind as obtaining sharp images of fragile subjects becomes useless task. You also might use a polarizer in rain to reduce reflections on rain drenched subjects.
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Re: Shooting in the rain
Large black Gortex darkcloth, velcro attached to the front end of the compendium shade.
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Re: Shooting in the rain
Thanks for the tips everyone. When I'm on my LF trips I have the camera pre set up in the backseat because I'm shooting with it all day, and when I stop to make an exposure I just pop it on the tripod lol. Been checking the weather reports obsessively, will wait to see what happens. Thankfully I'm close to Walmarts in case I need anything. You guys ever used a pop up canopy/easy up ?
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Re: Shooting in the rain
Keeping camera + operator dry is a solvable step, but there is a bigger issue for sheet film shooting... When the film is exposed to the damp environment, it absorbs the moisture unevenly and can buckle slightly in the holder until it reaches equilibrium with outside humidity and finally settles back to flat... Putting film holder in camera about 10 minutes before shot, pulling then replacing slide and letting it sit allows film to settle back to flat before exposure...
Some larger/smaller format films and types are under some tension when damp, and acclimate differently, and can have OOF spots until film settles...
I have best film flatness in the rain (or extreme humidity) with 35mm film, but have had "surprises" with 120 or sheet films when processed... :(
Steve K
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Re: Shooting in the rain
Rain isn't generally difficult. Umbrellas to plastic covers to pop up tents - like those for ice fishing.
WIND is usually the culprit that makes it difficult.
If you use an umbrella don't use a clamp to attach it to the tripod or camera - the vibration will usually wreck your photos and gusts can topple the gear.