Creating a changing box

[Sully75]

Hi there,

Just shot my first 5x7 sheet and so excited about my new camera.

I just have a small changing bag that I have been using for 120 film. I realize it's totally inadequate for doing 5x7, particularly since I'm developing in a Bessler 11x14 drum. It was almost impossible to get the film in there.

My idea is to take a rubbermade storage box, cut two holes in it, and glue the arms of a changing bag into it.

I'm just wondering what I should do to make it lightproof. Is tinfoil totally light proof? I was thinking about covering the inside with tinfoil and taping it in with gaffers tape.

This will be for home use only, but do you think the setup as described would work on a bright sunny day?

Thanks!
Paul

[roodpe]

I would not use tin foil. A better material is a flocked light trap material. It is thin and adhesive backed. Just line the tub and cover. You should test if it is light tight before you do any serious developing. The material is available at:

http://www.fpi-protostar.com/flock.htm

Pete

[Sully75]

Right...tin foil...reflective...stupid idea.

But that stuff looks pretty expensive. I'm looking for cheap. Is tin foil light tight? How about tin foil lined with a black garbage bag?

[Rick A]

How 'bout just buying some cheap black cloth at the local Wallys. I concur with roodpe, no shiny schtuff. Black felt is plenty cheap. Good luck gluing the sleeves from a changing bag to the plastic box.

[Joe VanCleave]

Here's an extensive thread over on F295 about a portable darkroom box I built that also permits changing film holders from within. This winter I used it in the comfort of my kitchen, instead of resorting to heating up the cold garage-based darkroom.

~Joe

[Sully75]

Hi Joe,

Thanks for that...read through a lot of it. Any suggestions for a cheap, dust free material to block out light in a plastic box?

Rick, I think that felt would be pretty prone to holding dust.

I'm thinking aluminum foil lined with black plastic trash bags. But open to vetos!

Thanks
Paul

[eddie]

I once built a temporary box, using a large enough cardboard box. I lined the inside & outside with the black plastic photo paper comes in. I used the plastic from 11 x 14 paper for the arms. Rubber bands, or Velcro, kept it tight on my arms.

[smieglitz]

Keep an eye on ebay for a Fuji Darkbox. FDB-12 or something like that. It is an oversized changing bag attached to folding boards that allow it to be carried like a briefcase. It has an exterior frame and it takes about 10 seconds to assemble. Should have plenty of room to do 5x7 processing.

I'm turning one into a portable wetplate collodion darkbox that I hope will handle full-plate format in the field.

[bobwysiwyg]

Hi there,

Just shot my first 5x7 sheet and so excited about my new camera.

I just have a small changing bag that I have been using for 120 film. I realize it's totally inadequate for doing 5x7, particularly since I'm developing in a Bessler 11x14 drum. It was almost impossible to get the film in there.

My idea is to take a rubbermade storage box, cut two holes in it, and glue the arms of a changing bag into it.

I'm just wondering what I should do to make it lightproof. Is tinfoil totally light proof? I was thinking about covering the inside with tinfoil and taping it in with gaffers tape.

This will be for home use only, but do you think the setup as described would work on a bright sunny day?

Thanks!
Paul

Not sure where you are, but found this on CL.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/pho/1707228958.html

[Sully75]

Hmmm...not in Michigan, but that does sort of seem like: instead of trying to incorporate the arms of the bag into a box, just make the box an extension of the bag.