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Thread: Dark Cloth 4x5

  1. #1
    Alan Klein's Avatar
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    Dark Cloth 4x5

    Starting out in LF with a Chamonix 4x5. 45H-1 http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/cameras/45h1

    I don't plan to shoot in the rain or really windy days. What do you recommend?

  2. #2

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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    If you want something beautiful, go for 'Wanderer', https://www.wandererphotogear.com/
    I own the gear, but those don't make masterpieces. My everyday experience.

  3. #3

    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    I use a 5x7 BTZS Focus Hood for 45N-2 and 45H-1.
    - https://viewcamerastore.com/products...ood-dark-cloth
    Chamonix 45N-2, Chamonix 45H-1

  4. #4
    Peter De Smidt's Avatar
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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    I use a Blackjacket hybrid, which I like a lot: http://www.quietworks.com/FRAMES_FIL...OME_FRAME_.htm
    “You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
    ― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know

  5. #5
    David de Gruyl's Avatar
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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    I have the BTZS, Blackjacket and a number of other (more traditional) dark cloths. What I actually use, for both 4x5 and 8x10, is a pair of black hanes beefy tees sewn together (so it is double thickness) with the arm holes sewn shut. I stick it over my head, and hold the waist side of the shirts over the camera. It honestly is darker than the blackjacket that I just bought, and WAAAAY less annoying.

  6. #6

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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by David de Gruyl View Post
    I have the BTZS, Blackjacket and a number of other (more traditional) dark cloths. What I actually use, for both 4x5 and 8x10, is a pair of black hanes beefy tees sewn together (so it is double thickness) with the arm holes sewn shut. I stick it over my head, and hold the waist side of the shirts over the camera. It honestly is darker than the blackjacket that I just bought, and WAAAAY less annoying.
    I use a slight variation of this approach: I find a single heavy weight black tee shirt sufficiently dark (I never even thought of doubling it up), and I reverse David's approach by stretching the neck around my 4x5 groundless, and putting the larger hem over my head. I think the tee shirt approach blows around less than a traditional dark cloth, and packs more compactly.

  7. #7

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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    $20 and a trip to the fabric store. I now use one of those hospital reflective metallic blankets which weighs next to nothing but it is not totally opaque. Chamonix's reflex viewer is great too if you need a right-side-up image for better composition, but double check focus on the ground glass with a blacked out on the sides loupe - no dark cloth needed.
    The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
    http://www.searing.photography

  8. #8
    Alan Klein's Avatar
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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by esearing View Post
    $20 and a trip to the fabric store. I now use one of those hospital reflective metallic blankets which weighs next to nothing but it is not totally opaque. Chamonix's reflex viewer is great too if you need a right-side-up image for better composition, but double check focus on the ground glass with a blacked out on the sides loupe - no dark cloth needed.
    Hi Eric, I see you have a Chamonix. I just ordered their 45H-1, first time doing large format. I think it's in Shanghai right now with FedEx.

    Have you tried the Chamonix reflex viewer or their folding viewer? What do you think of them. The reflex comes with a built in 3x loupe, but Hugo from Chamonix says the following regarding their use. What do you think?
    "If you shoot mainly landscapes, then a dark cloth with a loupe is recommended. You can also use a loupe with our folding viewer with carbon fiber cover. Reflex viewer is also popular in normal lighting. "
    http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/ac...es/viewfinders

  9. #9

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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by Alan Klein View Post
    Hi Eric, I see you have a Chamonix. I just ordered their 45H-1, first time doing large format. I think it's in Shanghai right now with FedEx.

    Have you tried the Chamonix reflex viewer or their folding viewer? What do you think of them. The reflex comes with a built in 3x loupe, but Hugo from Chamonix says the following regarding their use. What do you think?
    "If you shoot mainly landscapes, then a dark cloth with a loupe is recommended. You can also use a loupe with our folding viewer with carbon fiber cover. Reflex viewer is also popular in normal lighting. "
    http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/ac...es/viewfinders
    Any device that lets you view the entire gg is a viewing aid, not a focusing aid. It will not have enough magnification to focus critically.

  10. #10

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    Re: Dark Cloth 4x5

    What Bob said - but you can get pretty darn close focus with the reflex viewer in normal light. In dim light it is not as useful and with the freznel lens its requries a bit of moving around the eye piece. A large loupe with the sides blacked out is possible too if you also can use your hands to block the light on the ground glass.
    Or there's this method from my friend Corran:
    The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
    http://www.searing.photography

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