Dark cloth

[Kornscharfsteller]

Hello,

I am about to get into large format photography and to buy my first camera, a Chamonix C45F-2 or C45H-1 (I am still undecided). This is also my first post here in this forum.

I am looking for a „matching“ dark cloth for the above cameras.
What are good/important properties of a dark cloth? Can it be attached to the camera?
It thought it might be cool to maybe have one side of that cloth a bit water repellent so in case of a sudden rain shower or something I could use it to quickly protect the camera. Also I though it might be a good idea to have that side to be of a material that protects me a bit from direct sunlight, if it was fully black, I‘d figure it might get hot under there very quickly.
Do you have any tips for me?
Also: Who makes them and where can I get them?
My wife is a very good needlewoman, I could also let her make one for me if she knew how.

[Oslolens]

Here is some alternatives, first what seems to be not water repellent https://viewcamerastore.com/collecti...ood-dark-cloth then my Harrison. For me, this is too spacious and too heavy, so I use a black t-shirt.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ark_Cloth.html

Sent fra min SM-G975F via Tapatalk

[GRAYnomad]

As I always carry a change bag anyway I've just used that for years. However of late I've been thinking about buying a Harrison.

I've never been keen on the idea of an elastic fit around the camera, and the Harrison seems to allow a simple velcro connection if you want to enclose the back.

[Kornscharfsteller]

To use the changing bag is a cool idea, mine is silver on both sides though, but it will work anyway I guess.

The Harrison dark cloth looks nice. Does this company (Harrison) have an official website somewhere? The seem to make more interesting products.

[GRAYnomad]

They are for sale in all the usual places but I can't find an actual Harrison web site.

Ben Horne does a comparo between one and the BTZS cloth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbEsE06g0oM&t=1s

That's what decided me on the Harrison...if I buy one at all that is.

[Conrad . Marvin]

I have used a Harrison dark cloth that I have used for years. It is silver on one side and black on the other and the Velcro makes it easy to use.
I think that the website is Camera Essentials. Do it.

[roscoetuff-Skip Mersereau]

I guess I'm finnicky. I tried a bunch of those things, and didn't like them. The one that stuck... comes from:https://www.wandererphotogear.com/

I use one of their ultralights BECAUSE it folds up into the size of a small 35mm format lens case, fits in the palm of my hand, and is just a pleasure to deal with, get out of the way, put in place, etc. Ain't the cheapest out there, but the light weight works and as a sailor, sail cloth ain't cheap either. For a Chamonix, a REGULAR size does fine. Mine is blue on the outside, black on the inside. Well made. I started with a heavier weight, but the light weight works fine inside and out. They also make cases for your film holders, but I use Dan Stone's (Stone Photo Gear for that) and love his new tripple 4X5.

A word on the Chamonix: I'm not sure whether the H models have more control over the displacement of the standards or not (looks like they do), but FWIW, I bought the F2 and kind of wish I'd bought the H model instead. I think there is more control with this model although it's billed as better for wide angle lenses. There's less extension with the H model (350 vs. 395mm), but you have the option of using wider backs - either 5X7 or 4X10, and this opens some sweet options unavailable on the F2. Either way, enjoy!

[Tin Can]

Many here use a T shirt

[Robin H.]

The company that makes the Harrison dark cloth is https://cameraessentials.com. I'm going to assume you're German based on your username, so it might be convenient for you to buy them
from https://www.prisma.film/ or https://mbfshop.de/

I personally own the medium size but the small one seems more than adequate for a 4x5 camera. What's nice is that the silver side is completely waterproof, and the black side is made of a lint-free fabric so no worries about fibers getting everywhere.

[Alan9940]

Welcome to the forums!

There are many choices available for a "real" dark cloth; many use their jacket, shirt, etc. I have a few commercial ones that I bought over the years, but some years ago I had my wife make me a few to specific sizes and out of lighter weight material. Some photographers like a dark cloth that has velcro or cinch cords allowing the cloth to attach onto the rear standard. Personally, I like the standard drape-style cloth that I can remove or throw over most of the camera when shooting in very bright conditions. The dark cloths my wife custom made are black on the inside, white on the outside, and have small drapery weights in each corner. The white side helps keep you a little cooler in sunlight, while the weights help in windy conditions.