changing bags for loading and exchanging in the field

[pellicle]

Hi

I've used these in the past but found it very annoying that the bag collapses over my 'work area' and makes it hard to change sheets. I've tried making a small frame to keep an "tent" type of arrangement to things, but it is a little annoying to set up all the time.

I'm presently trying to decide if I should look at a roll film holder (6x12) to allow me to take more images in the field (often I use a 1/2 board and take 2 2x5 expousres on a single sheet anyway).

my main issue is in preventing dust on my negs (at exposure time), film changing bags just seem to be magnets for it. How (if at all) have people solved this ?

[AgX]

I've tried making a small frame to keep an "tent" type of arrangement to things, but it is a little annoying to set up all the time.

Thre are commercial changing tents out there by at least Photoflex and Harríson, but I have no experience with them.

[richard ide]

After using my changing bag, I vacuum the inside. Seems to help a lot. I made a frame from 2 small pieces of wood and 6 pieces of plastic tube. It takes less than a minute to set up and it just stays in the bag when done.

[John Kasaian]

My changing bag is an old, huge contraption made by Panavision, from the motion picture industry. They seldom come available but if you happen on one I'd recommend it

[jpeets]

I have a Photoflex bag, which has a rigid pop-up frame. Works great, but I guess I should clean it out more. Cannot say that I notice a difference between film loaded in it and loaded in the darkroom. Maybe that says more about my darkroom technique ....

[raucousimages]

I gave up on changing bags and just bought lots of film holders when I found a studio dumping them.

[Martin Aislabie]

I have a Harrison Changing Tent - and I love it - http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product...1897&PT_ID=454

I would never go back to a "grovel bag"

I have about 12 Dark Slides which covers me for a days shooting

I always dust my Changing Tent with a clean, well washed, damp linen Tea Towel before loading film - I am always amazed how much dust & stuff is inside my Changing Tent

It hasn't solved it completely - but it has been a major improvement.

Other people I know just use Readyloads/Quickloads to overcome the dust issue

If you do come up with a good method - let me know

Thanks

Martin

[snallan]

I use a Calumet changing tent (or room, as they term it), quick and easy to put up/away, and large enough for (un)loading half-a-dozen 5x7 holders.

I've never had much trouble with dust inside mine, I hoover it out once in a while, and occassionally give the interior a wipe down with a damp chamois.

[jeroldharter]

I have the Calumet/Photoflex changing tent that has a collapsible, pop-up frame. It works well and is the least expensive option for tents. When collapsed, it is still quite large and barely fits inside my checked luggage. It is too unwieldy for a regular day in the field. I plan to get a Harrison film tent but they are quite expensive. Readiloads are an OK option, but if you shoot a lot of film, Readiloads are quite bulky and expensive. After 100 sheets of regular 4x5 film in holders vs. Readiloads you have paid for the film tent. Also, Readiloads greatly reduce film options and Kodak is giving up on Readiloads soon.

Vacuuming and wiping out with a damp cloth are good practices for reducing dust. Also, keeping film holders and film boxes clean and dust free are helpful. Otherwise, every time you introduce the holders and boxes into the tent you are adding dust. I carry a natural bristle brush to dust off things before they go into the tent and then I store film boxes in zip lock plastic bags.

[reellis67]

I gave up on changing bags and just bought lots of film holders when I found a studio dumping them.

Same here. I've got enough holder for 80 sheets, which is usually enough for any given shoot, and still gives me the ability to have a good number of different films loaded and ready. As an added bonus, the total cost was less than a nice changing tent.

- Randy