From: sparks@col.hp.com (John Sparks)
Subject: Re: Novice 4x5 field gear questions
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 15:32:02 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division

In article <1992Jul24.005343.12322@beaver.cs.washington.edu> franz@cs.washington.edu (Franz G. Amador) writes:
>I'm putting together a 4x5 kit that I can take into the field, and I'm
>hoping that some of you will be willing to help me out a little.

4x5 is great.  Enjoy yourself.

>I need some sort of changing bag.

I can't help with the changing bag.  I've never used one.

>Do you just carry an old empty film box to put your exposed sheets
>into, or is there some slicker system?

This is what I do when emptying film holders that I am not going to develop
right away.  I have never heard of anyone doing anything else.  With black
and white film, I keep a box for each different development time (3 to 5 boxes)
and empty the holder into the appropriate box.  To get some empty boxes to
start with, you might try a pro lab or local commercial photographer.

>I'm hoping to make a lightweight focusing cloth by sewing together two
>pieces of coated nylon ripstop fabric, one white (for the outside;
>cooler in the sun) and one black.  Seems like it'd be adequately
>lighttight, and I could drape it over the camera if it started
>raining.  Has anyone tried anything like this?

I made one by sewing fabric together.  I think I used two layers of
black cloth and one of white cloth (one of each was not dark enough even
using the most light tight fabric I could find).  Mine is rather heavy,
but wrapped around my camera in the backpack gives good protection.  I
have used it over the camera in slight rain or snow and the camera stays
dry (a downpour would be a different story, I keep meaning to spray it
with some waterproofing).  I have thought about making another one out
of nylon, but I think I would still want the exposed black layer on the
inside to be something like cotton that is not so slippery.  I think the
nylon against the camera would slide too easily.  I got some velcro to
stick to my camera and sew to the darkcloth to prevent this problem, but
the cotton I used doesn't really slide too much and I can't bring myself
to stick the velcro to the camera yet.

>Lens protection: are those "lens wraps" good enough to protect lenses
>put in a stuff sack in a backpack, or is there a better option?

I put my lenses in "lens wraps" into rubbermaid containers (my three
lenses all fit in one medium sized container).  I figure that the
rubbermaid is really waterproof and provides some crush protection that
the stuff sack would not for not too much weight or bulk.  It also gives
me a more dust free area to open the lens wraps to keep dust and dirt
out away from the lenses.  The velcro on the lens wraps are great for
grabbing any dirt and leaves around.  I only do day hikes so I can fill
up my backpack with camera stuff, the weight or bulk may be too much for
you use.

>And more generic 4x5 questions:  any recommendations for focusing
>loupes?  There's quite a variety out there, and I'm at a loss at
>how to choose.  I'd certainly prefer light, tough, and cheap, but
>still good enough to do the job.

I think almost anything is ok.  The best type have black sleeves instead
of clear ones, but under the darkcloth, either kind works ok.  I got a
$40 Calumet 7X loupe.  It works great.

>Lastly, are all film holders pretty much good enough, or would I
>be screwing myself if I bought the cheapest?

Lisco, Fidelity and Riteway are all made by the same company (that is owned
by Calumet by the way).  Lisco and Fidelity appear to be identical except
for the pattern molded into the plastic.  Most of my holders are Fidelity.
I own two Riteway holders that I can't stand.  They are larger than the others
and have this mechanism to release the darkslide only when the holder is 
inserted into the camera.  Maybe it's just my camera, but I really have to
wiggle the holder around and press the holder into the camera from the 
camera back to get the darkslide to release.  I often end up moving the 
camera a little doing this.  Also the little holder numbering wheels (the
reason I got these in the first place) tend to move too easily from where I
set them to be very useful.  In other words, the cheap ones (Fidelity and
Lisco) are the best.  I would avoid used holders in most cases.  Any holders
can develop light leaks with a lot of use.  These leaks can be difficult or
impossible to fix and buying used holders is too risky for my taste.  If you
do buy used holders test them carefully before using for anything important.
The light leaks tend to be either on the end where you load the film or the
felt light trap where the dark slide goes.  The hinge material can develop 
pinholes or cracks and can be tested with the holder out of the camera.  It
can also be repairs to some extent with black photographic tape.  The felt
cannot be repaired, but may still be usable if the trap is always covered
by your darkcloth anytime the slide is out of the holder.  Some care in
avoiding direct sun hitting the holder is always advised no matter what 
condition the holder is in.

John Sparks
sparks@col.hp.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo