Protecting the GG while you hike

[daleeman]

I really enjoy shooting 4x5 and have a backpack that lugs just about everything one would want to carry, but I often take the most shots within a mile of the car. Doing this I often put the camera on the tripod while folded up and sling it over my shoulder. I carry my holders (6 max), loupe, and cable release in a shoulder strapped “Subways [eat fresh]” insulated lunch cooler from a garage sale. Going lighter and lighter is a mandatory prerequisite these days. Age, health and shorter hikes are a factor.

What I would like to do is devise some sort of protective wrap to cover the camera with a stiff portion to protect the GG. I do not want to put any goo laden Velcro on the camera itself or screws or fasteners so it must snap or button or have its own Velcro + and – attached to the cover/wrap.
Has anyone made such a device themselves yet? My camera is a Tachihara so it is not a Graflex back but I’m certain that there are some brilliant large format shooters out there with some outstanding ideas on this and some designs of their own.

BTW if it could morph into a dark cloth too I’d be very impressed!
Lee

[Toffle]

Hi Lee,
On the few times I've actually carried my LF cameras, (both are monorails so if I go in the field, the case sits on a set of wheels) I have covered the GG with a piece of foam-core held in place with some elastics. It wouldn't help in the case of a really nasty knock or fall, but it does limit bumps, scratches and smudges.
I know that only answers half of your question, but it's a start.
Cheers,
Tom

[Dan Dozer]

I also do the foam core approach. However, I have a Linhoff Technikardan and the back is formed such that the small piece of foamcore I cut wedges in place and doesn't require anything like rubber bands to hold it there.

[cowanw]

The 8X10 I bought from Richard Rankin came with a neat protector. 2 pieces of film holder sized masonite with a wood spacer along the one long end of about 1 inch by the thickness of the back from the GG plane to the outside surface; just nailed together. It is extra weight but not to much and is great protection that will not fall off. I am going to make the same in Plexiglass for my studio GG, but it will be heavier.

[Ottrdaemmerung]

I made a GG protector for my monorail by cutting two pieces of Lexan plexiglas, one slightly smaller than the other, and hinging them together with gaffer's tape so that they protect both sides, and then are held in place with an elastic.

[daleeman]

I've been playing with the idea of a very fat "H" design piece of leather with snaps or velcro to cover the GG and the 4 legs of the H come together by the tripod head. if all things would be equal it almost could be a makshift hood for the GG too

[Vaughn]

The GG protector I have for the 11x14 is just a piece of plex that was heated and folded over in half. Half slips in where the film holder goes and the other half slides over the outer side of the GG. Badger Graphics sells them, but unfortunately there is no photo of it on their site.

https://www.badgergraphic.com/store/..._detail&p=1084

But here is a pix of one:

http://mpex.com/ground-glass-protector-5x7.html

I like the simplicity, light weight, no extra hardware to attach and that it does not put much tension on the springs of the back.

[jp498]

Canham sell some ground glass protectors (basically a plastic version of what Vaughn mentions), but they don't have pictures of them online.

[jp80874]

Lee,

The “goo laden Velcro” can easily be removed with a product called “Goo Gone” from googone.com or most hardware stores. It has many other uses and Dolly keeps a jar under the sink. Most of those other jobs involve new clothing labels for her. Googone dissolves the goo and leaves no trace if you decide to sell the camera. Although since “most” LF cameras have some sort of protector the next owner might want to leave it in place.

Both my RH Phillips cameras were built with lexan gg protectors held on with Velcro dots. With gg in those sizes at $100 – $200 these covers have been very good insurance.

Two cautions. At least in the case of these cameras do not forget to remove the lexan before you focus. I have forgotten and done that a few times. You can get very close to in focus but not there. It seems quite mysterious until you notice the lexan is still in place. When you do take the lexan off be very careful where you put it. It just begs to be broken or left behind when you forget to put it back on.

John

[ROL]

I use the Canham plexi GG protector (5X7 variety). Haven't had a broken GG yet.