best material for darkcloth?

[koh303]

I think this came up a while back, but i was never able to follow up on the recommendations in that thread.

Can someone suggest a cordura/nylon type material for making a nice durable darkcloth?

[seabee1999]

I am not sure if you are looking for this, but a few months back, my wife made a darkcloth for me made of black denim material from Jo-Ann Fabrics store. She took my old, somewhat lightweight and not great nylon darkcloth, doubled over the material and sewed the denim to my old cloth. It works great, super sturdy and very dark for viewing the GG. I think we paid around $12-$16 for about 2 yards. I hope this helps a bit.

R/
Dave

[Drew Wiley]

There are several past threads on this subject. My no. 1 choice by a country mile is black Goretex, but it's hard to find.

[Tim Meisburger]

I've never used an actual barkcloth. Just a black t-shirt. This is probably why my pictures suck...

[Liquid Artist]

I have 2 pieces of curtain black out cloth sewn together.
One Black, and one White.
However I would have preferred a Neutral Gray fabric rather than white.

[John Olsen]

I've never used an actual barkcloth. Just a black t-shirt. This is probably why my pictures suck...

Oh sure, blame the poor darkcloth. Actually, a jacket or a blanket can work fine, but an official darkcloth with weighted hems makes you official and actually helps when the wind comes up. I think a t-shirt is too small, unless you're really immense.

[Liquid Artist]

I agree with Tim, a T-Shirt works just fine.

However it's kinda like riding a cow to church.
It may work but you don't want to be seen doing it.
The Large Format thing seems to be as much about using Traditional ways, as capturing good images.

[Bruce Barlow]

I've never used an actual barkcloth. Just a black t-shirt. This is probably why my pictures suck...

+1. Walmart, $3. I bought two and doubled them up. Put a drawstring and a lacelock in the bottom hem. The neck fits around the camera when the camera is my 4x5. The neck fits around my face and the bottom tightens around the back of my 5x7 or 8x10.

Cheap, easy, light, serviceable.

My pictures don't suck because of that. There are many, many other reasons.

[Doremus Scudder]

There are several past threads on this subject. My no. 1 choice by a country mile is black Goretex, but it's hard to find.

I prefer white Gore-Tex, lined with a black, non-slip material on the inside and equipped with Velcro to allow closing. I got my Gore-Tex from an online outdoor retailer.

Best,

Doremus

[Matt Stage]

I got a lightweight Nylon Taffeta Black/Silver from Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics. http://www.owfinc.com/fabrics.html They do not link to a page for the item but it is described as: "Lightweight Nylon with Urethane coating and DWR. Uses: Lightweight clothing applications where waterproof fabric is needed." Works for me -- very well.