ULF 7X17 What size Dark Cloth? What type? I'm new to daylight...

[Tin Can]

I shoot primarily in studio or 4x5 outside with a flip open GG viewer.

Now I want to go outside with 7X17 and only buy or make one dark cloth, not buy 2 when I figure out what's up. The ones I use inside are not going to work.

I have looked at Harrison Silver Classic Dark Cloth on eBay and fortunately looked at B&H where they sell for less than eBay...

Maybe medium is Ok or do I need a complete spinnaker? The large? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...l/prm/alsVwDtl

I like that it's waterproof, it rains often here, silver for sun and has weighted corners.

Anybody use these?

[Steve Sherman]

Based on the measurements of the large I must have the medium. Works perfectly on my phillips 7x17 the velcro side of the Harrison D cloth is somewhat cinched and when stretched fits nicely around the camera and has ample coverage for the 7x17 ground glass. Plus it is very light weight
$100.00 for a D cloth seems crazy anyway

[Tin Can]

Based on the measurements of the large I must have the medium. Works perfectly on my phillips 7x17 the velcro side of the Harrison D cloth is somewhat cinched and when stretched fits nicely around the camera and has ample coverage for the 7x17 ground glass. Plus it is very light weight
$100.00 for a D cloth seems crazy anyway

Thanks Steve, window shopping.

I like to research and get opinion. The big one does sound more like a hazard than a help. I used to working under dimmed lights with only my subject lit, now I'm turning on all the light and experimenting.

Tornados tonight, not good for sails.

[pierre506]

Dark cloth jack is better choice.
I bought the material(cloth) from a bellows maker to make my dark cloth jack for 12x20 camera.
It's very light.

[Tin Can]

Dark cloth jack is better choice.
I bought the material(cloth) from a bellows maker to make my dark cloth jack for 12x20 camera.
It's very light.

Not sure what that is. I use a piece of torn common black cloth in studio, but it will blow away in a breeze. This is the windy city.

There are no bellows makers for 1000 miles here.

[pierre506]

Not sure what that is. I use a piece of torn common black cloth in studio, but it will blow away in a breeze. This is the windy city.

There are no bellows makers for 1000 miles here.

This way, Randy.
You may find a similar cloth around you.

[Tin Can]

This way, Randy.
You may find a similar cloth around you.

I have something like that for 8x10, it's silver and came with the camera, but will not work on this 7x17, I feel if I use something like that I will knock the rig over. I want a big flat cloth to cover bellows and head and I focus with my with my eyes right off the GG, it's the only way I can see. I stand back with glasses on and get over all composition. I'm kinda blind and it's not getting better, but why worry now? They let me drive a car...with goggles. I drive well, no crashes, no tickets.

[Lachlan 717]

I'm not sure whether you realise it or not, but, with these bigger formats, you need to have your eyes further back when you look at the GG in its entirety. You'll need to take this in to account when considering the size of the dark cloth. It can become a pain when you then go to the loupe as the fabric can drape in front of your eyes.

[William Whitaker]

I'm not sure whether you realise it or not, but, with these bigger formats, you need to have your eyes further back when you look at the GG in its entirety. You'll need to take this in to account when considering the size of the dark cloth. It can become a pain when you then go to the loupe as the fabric can drape in front of your eyes.

This is a good point. I have a number of BTZS hoods that work well for me. One [rather large one] works well for 12x20. It's much lighter and more compact when folded than most conventional d-cloths would be. (I've not tried the Harrison, but have wanted to. Too many other things to pay for right now!) The BTZS hood, or similar, with its elasticized skirt makes it easier to block out light around the perimeter of the ground glass which is nice when using small apertures or wide lenses when seeing the outer regions of the image is much more difficult. And there's plenty of room for me to move my head back to a good viewing distance without the whole thing sliding off the camera in a heap.

For focusing I follow Fred Picker's old suggestion of using a pair of drugstore reading glasses which provide much more eye relief and allows me to see the image in context. There's a lot to see on a big GG! That's part of the fun of it... A loupe is good when you're finally ready to commit the image to a big expensive piece of film.

I have something like that for 8x10, it's silver and came with the camera, but will not work on this 7x17, I feel if I use something like that I will knock the rig over.

With experience you will develop a kinesthetic sense which will give you better confidence while dancing with your partner. As with anything, practice...
I do still manage to tangle my size 12's with the tripod legs at times, though.

[Jim Noel]

I'm not sure whether you realise it or not, but, with these bigger formats, you need to have your eyes further back when you look at the GG in its entirety. You'll need to take this in to account when considering the size of the dark cloth. It can become a pain when you then go to the loupe as the fabric can drape in front of your eyes.

This is the reason my 5x8 foot cloth works so well. White on the outside and black satin like material on the inside so my head can slide around as necessary to view the corners. Heavy enough to prevent being blown around unless the wind is very strong. Sadly the custom maker had to move and go out of business.