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Thread: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

  1. #21

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    In my experience, the size of the photographer is as important as the size of the camera. If you are a big, wide, broad-shouldered human . . . well, perhaps take that into consideration.
    Bill Poole

    "Speak softly, but carry a big camera."

  2. #22

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    I've become a fan of Joe Cornish's Páramo Dark Cloth. Waterproof, and the red adds a splash of colour.


    Click image for larger version. 

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  3. #23

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    Mine is 140cm wide and 1m long, I'd not go any shorter than that for my medium height, I used have it at 140cmx140cm, but that was unnecessarily long. I used a blackout curtain fabric that is black on one side and white on the other; the white is priceless on sunny days. I have an elasticated drawcord around the top edge with a single toggle joining the two ends of the cord to form the tube to hold it on the camera.

  4. #24

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

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    Here’s some guy who used a big one.

  5. #25

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wishegan View Post
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    Here’s some guy who used a big one.
    That's not a focusing cloth, that's Count Dracula!!!

    Note you cannot see him in the mirror...

    Steve K

  6. #26

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    Phil and I developed the original BTZS darkcloths with our respective wives sewing up prototypes and fitting them to a bunch of different cameras. The idea was to use the velcro to be able to remove the hood for loading film or on certain cameras (depending on the knob locations), you could just move the hood forward, load and shoot. The hood was very small and lightweight so it didn't interrupt anything. To the best of my knowledge the existing hood hasn't changed much and is still sold by The View Camera Store. I still use my original one regularly.

    Brian

  7. #27

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Noel View Post
    You will get dozens of answers. The dark cloth I most often use for 4x5 is 4'x5'. I also use this for 5x7. The one for 8x10 and 7x17 is 5'x8'.
    About that size yes, the thinnest possible cotton, no polyamides or that sort of plastic; it has to absorb humid because it can get hot in there. some even have a white cover at the outside, but I guess they have a dedicated wife or mother. My wife sewed in an elastic band and snaps to attach it to the rear standard. Kind of the Joe Cornish idea but the amateur version.

  8. #28
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    As said already depends on camera size

    and studio or field

    I have a few, I mostly shoot studio and really like my Linhof Studio camera as it can use a spring wire support to hold up the cloth

    I can use another wire in front as lens shade

    I have also used folded coroplast both front and rear for 3 sides

    Calumet Monster 8x!0 also may use the same wire support front only

    I sold wire supports on this forum some years ago

    Many OLD studio camera had these options

    I have 2 Japanese studio camera that have folding scissors front support for lens hood
    Tin Can

  9. #29
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    That's a famous reflection of Atget using a darkcloth. His actual contact prints were pretty small. Dracula he was not, though I recently watched the hundredth anniversary re-release of the old silent Nosferatu movie, which still holds its own creatively and photographically, and in downright spookiness without even a single ketchup bottle involved.

    I am a firm believer in my own kind of darkcloth - black Goretex fabric : extremely tough, lightweight, waterproof, breathable, and best of all, LINT FREE. Anyone who uses cotton fabric in this day and age is downright nuts, or else themselves bitten by a vampire.

    How big? Long enough to keep the camera plus your own head and shoulders reasonably dry when its raining. Wide enough for the corners to velcro together behind you, to prevent flapping around in the wind. Forget lead weights in the corners! (another bad old custom, good only for breaking your ground glass or putting out one of your eyes during the wind).

  10. #30

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    Re: What is about the right size for a dark cloth for a 4x5" camera?

    I'm very happy with the Wanderer dark cloth that I received recently. Thread: Harrison vs Wanderer 8x10 Dark Cloth.

    Wanderer, based in Washington State, obviously makes 4x5 dark cloths as well: Wanderer Photo Gear
    Arca-Swiss 8x10/4x5 | Mamiya 6x7 | Leica 35mm | Blackmagic Ultra HD Video
    Sound Devices audio recorder, Schoeps & DPA mikes
    Mac Studio/Eizo with Capture One, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve, Logic

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