I have been doing field work with 4x5 (Zone IV) in remote areas and have used the Fuji Quickload system with excellent results. I am now planning to move up to 8x10 and have a question regarding changing film in remote locations. Obviously, Quickload is not an option for 8x10 and my guess is that it never will be. Working in remote areas for long periods (ie. weeks) necessitates use of some type of film changing tent. I have seen the Harrison film changing tents in Calumet. Does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions for changing film in remote locations? Thanks.

-- Robin Radcliffe (RobinR@fossilrim.com), December 05, 1998

Answers

Your question is exactly what I'm always annoyed about. My main camera is 8x10 and I usually take 10 holders with me when I make a long tirp. Sometimes I have to reload films in the feild. I use a Harrison tent but it's a little bit clumsy to handle five holders, a box of film and an empty box for exposed sheets. However it's the one and only in terms of quality and portability as far as I know.

-- Shigehiro Ishii (shige-i@tkd.att.ne.jp), December 05, 1998.

i don't work in 8x10 buti am pretty sure that Harrison makes different sizes of dark tents. check with the F-Stops here or Photomark to see about the 8x10/ movie camera version which is very large.

-- Ellis (evphoto@insync.net), December 05, 1998.

You can buy a large changing bag from Samy's in Santa Barbara for under $70. It's big enough for 8x10, small and light enough to carry.

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), December 05, 1998.

Photoflex "changing room" is an alternative that works fine.

-- michael (grenm@yahoo.com), December 06, 1998.

I admire you guys for using an 8x10 in the field. The only time I've seen it done was by a less experienced 8x10 person and, frankly, it seemed a laborious, daunting pursuit.

Naturally, I don't use the 4x5 that quickly and I wouldn't expect the 8x10 to be used quickly either but I would expect it to be a smooth, pleasurable process. What are the keys to using the 8x10 properly?

M

-- Mike Long (mlafly@aol.com), December 06, 1998.

Robin, I really admire your ambition. I seldom, if ever, use 8x10 on long trips anymore, for a multitude of reasons. But that's another thread.

Changing/loading 8x10 film in a "loose" bag, where the fabric is not suspended and comes into direct contact with your hands/film/holders, no matter how large, can be a total distaster. You will have incredible amounts of dust and lint deposited on your film, even if you clean the interior of the bag beforehand. And the dust/lint will always manage to come to rest in the clear, sky areas of the negative, never in the heavily-textured foreground areas.

You're on the right track: Calumet (or others) has the extra-large Harrison film tent for 8x10 (and larger) film changing/loading. It is expensive, but it will save you the purchase/development cost of ruined 8x10 film. The taught, suspended interior of the extra-large version will keep dust and lint to a minimum

Good luck, Sergio.

-- Sergio Ortega (s.ortega@worldnet.att.net), December 07, 1998.

I dabble a little bit in 4x5 with an old speed graphic. I use the photoflex unit mentioned above to load all my holders. It's a little clumsy, but it works okay, and as aluded to above, it has rigid supports so the "bag" itself doesnt come in contact with the film and holders. I think I spent $50-70 for it.

-- karl poterack (poterack.karl@mayo.edu), December 09, 1998.

I have used the photoflex system for quite a while now and I find that it works very well for my 4x5 and the 8x10 that I borrow from a friend. I do however put a box inside to separate film from holders and a little can of air to use on the holders to keep them clean, along with a 2" brush.

-- jacque staskon (jacque@cybertrails.com), December 14, 1998.