From: dp@world.std.com (Jeff DelPapa)
Subject: Re: Novice 4x5 field gear questions
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 12:06:00 GMT

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.
>
>I need some sort of changing bag.  KEH lists one called the "Rokunar
>Portable Darkroom (27"x30" for $26, 36"x45" for $39).  Anybody know
>about these?  Would the small one be adequate?  How 'bout "The
>Changing Room", which Adorama lists for $84.95 (ouch), but looks
>nifty?
I have tried both, and now own the changing room - it was worth the 
money - the rigid frame is very helpful. It is hard to maneuver the flat
sort and they get much hotter inside. Remember to take your watch off before
you stick your hands in the bag... (the glowing dial is usually enough to
fog film, and should you manage to trip the light on an LCD model....)

>
>Do you just carry an old empty film box to put your exposed sheets
>into, or is there some slicker system?
Thats what everyone I have ever seen uses. When I am in a hurry, I 
have dropped full holders off at the lab..  If you are using one of the 
preload systems, you don't have this problem.

>
>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 use a scroungy peice of rubberized black fabric. In hot weather, I use 
a towel. your idea sounds good - let us know how it works.

>
>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 have seen some folks use one pint plastic containers filled with foam.
This works fine if you have a camera that uses small lensboards.

>
>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 have used a fairly generic 10x, with some black photo tape around the 
clear base. 4x never seemed enough for me - I have even used my peak 22x 
on occasion {on the theory that I inspect the finished chromes with one}.
>
>Lastly, are all film holders pretty much good enough, or would I
>be screwing myself if I bought the cheapest?
It may be worth the extra money for new ones - I have gotten some pretty leaky
holders buying used. I have bought into the MIDO system, but haven't 
gotten rid of my regular holders yet... When someone else is picking up the
film bill, I often use the pre-loads (polaroid and now fuji, I have had
light splash problems with the kodak ones...) they work fine, just cost
~0.75/shot extra.


good luck, and tell us how things work out. I am particularly interested
in any system you work out for packing gear... (I currently use the zone vi
bag grafted onto an old pack frame, and don't really care for it - 
I have not been able to really securely mount it, and it popped off once. 
It also deprives me of a means to carry anything else (I had to remove 
the regular bag) All suggestions welcome...)

<dp>