Best changing bag in field?

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I'm in the market of a changing bag now. Let's not mention about dust problem and quickload films here. Which product would you suggest for a changing bag in field? It should be compact, dust-free design and lightweight yet roomy when expanded. Any comment is appreciated. Masayoshi

-- Masayoshi Hayashi (mhayashi@phys.ufl.edu), March 15, 1999

Answers

I like my Harrison pup-tent (from Calumet). Tried a Photoflex and returned it. Personally, I thought the Photoflex was an ergonomic disaster. I spoke with Photoflex tech support, and they understood the problem I was having very well. It doesn't allow any useful rest position while your arms are inside the tent. This added stress is the last thing you need while handling sheet film, holders, grafmatics, etc.

-- Larry Huppert (Larry.Huppert@mail.com), March 15, 1999.

i agree completely with Larry's negative comments about the Photoflex tent. I would get the largest version of the Harrison dark tent has I feel the more room the better.

-- Ellis (evphoto@insync.net), March 16, 1999.

Photoflex requires practice. Manual gymnastics have to be developed over time. I used a Photoflex during a vacation in the desert to unload and reload 8x10 holders at night inside my campe. It was a tight fit but with time I learned to manage. I had some dust but not as much as I expected in the dry climate heavily charged with static electricity. Photoflex doesn't guarantee that its tents are light-tight, and I notice some pinholes along a seam, so I don't use it in bright sunlight. For the price, at $75 it's a little less than half the cost of the Harrison tent, it wasn't a bad deal but you have to accept its limitations.

-- Bruce Schultz (bschultz@theadvocate.com), March 17, 1999.

I would have a hard time buying a changing bag that is not guaranteed to be light tight. That the sole purpose of the bag. In the field while backpacking I carry my changing bag on my back...my sleeping bag. It's fairly easy to adapt to and generally I change film at night. Sorry, still haven't resorted to quick loads due to price.

-- John Wiemer (Wiemerjo@slcc.edu), March 17, 1999.

The Harrison pup tent 4x5 is far superior to the Photoflex version. First, it folds up into its own stuff sack and can be packed away with relative ease into any size backpack. The Photoflex, in contrast, packs into a clumsy cylindar shaped bag that is not packable at all. Second, the Harrison tent is made of superior materials - the tent material is thick, has two layers with two separate zippers, the poles are strong. The Photoflex tent material is much thinner, the poles are easily bent out of shape. You have to be careful with the Photoflex bag. And it's not even guaranteed to be light-tight! Third, it's much easier to place one's arms in the Harrison tent, as the arm shoots sit at the front of the tent. In contrast, the arm shoots for the Photoflex tent sit on opposite ends. If you are small like me, you feel like you're hugging a big balloon. Poor design. I bought a Photoflex and returned it for the Harrison pup tent. I'm much happier.

-- London Wolfe (londonwolfe@hotmail.com), March 30, 1999.


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