Yet another embarrassing newb question ...

[juan]

I agree that a changing bag will probably cause you a great deal of frustration. A changing tent is better. But best of all is to darken a small room like a bathroom - it's pretty easy at night. I find Grafmatics take up a lot of room - there's a pile of film from the box, the open Grafmatic that's twice as long as when closed, and a pile of septums. I don't think I could handle this in even my largest changing bag.
juan

[infest]

dont hand over a grafmatic to a lab! I did it once, they phoned me up as they had never seen one before and had managed to ruin all but one sheet.

It reminds me of the time I gave my 4x5 holder to the lab - to find it deformed when returned. Somebody managed to step on it... One learns.

[MCTuomey]

many thanks to everyone for the advice. i intend to load the grafmatic in the bathroom (making our small BR light tight shouldn't be a problem at night), at least until i get more capable. the unit is a bit intimidating, somewhat more fiddly than i prefer. we'll see how it goes.

and i won't be taking it to the lab, that's clear

[kirkfry]

IMHO grafmatics may be wonderful but they add another level of complexity you don't need starting out. Get yourself some good film holders. With the film holder in the horizontal position with the opening to the right, the film notches go on the bottom right. Also get a book "Using the View Camera" by Steve Simmons. Happy shooting. K

[Removed Account]

Hey Jason, where are the LF youtube videos? Your adoring fans wait anxiously!