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SURELY being technically minded we are able to make our own?

anyone done it?

i think this MUST be one of the most extortionate items i have laid eyes on.

fair enough the bags are cheap, but a small tent that amounts to a nylon action mans camping tent is ridiculously overpriced at 100 plus.

i think i will have to make my own.

frederick

I've seen a few photogs using 1/2 inch PVC pipe and connector joints to hold up the inside of their standard changing bags. Seems to work OK.

yeah i thought about that. its definitely not going to be something i pay 100 plus for a tent for. thats a joke!

The Calumet changing room is fabulous. Costs about £44 which is probably only a little more than it would cost in materials , hassle and accidentally exposed film. I got mine from Marc second hand, who didn't like it, but I have found it to be ideal. Its in their catalogue at: http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/RM1000/
Regards
Adrian

I would second the suggestion of the Calumet changing room. It's just not worth the hassle to do anything else yourself.

ill look into that, payday beckons:)

The Calumet is an excellent price. Although I've heard pros and cons with regard to the front or side arm entries on the tent style units. I've not had either so I'd be interested in how this one works compared to those side entrance units.
I presently us a standard bag with side entrances.

Another vote for the Calumet one.

A vote here for the Calumet 'changing room' for 5 x 4 - Its a bit uncomfortable trying to load 10 x 8 holders though...


nn

Me too I use for 5x4 Infrared and other stuff I cant get in Quickload.. good price... regards Tim..

I still like my Harrison PUP & Original tents!

picked myself up a 20 quid paterson bag. itll have to do me for now:)

frederick

I think a real problem with smaller changing bags is the amount of dust and muck they can retain. Also hands can get hot, and film is sticky stuff with clammy hands.

Rich

Large format changing bags/tents have slightly different requirements to those for smaller formats.
With a small format (135, 120), the film is sealed to dust until you take it out in the bag for processing. Dust that it picks up in the bag isn't quite as important (assuming it doesn't scratch) as it will get washed off and away during processing. Bags often touch the film when it is getting loaded.

Sheet film is loaded in the bag so dust that gets on the film surface during changing shows on the image because it can block light getting to the film in those areas.
Changing tents (like the Calumet) have a rigid structure that holds the material out of contact with the film, helping to reduce dust contamination.

This also goes for film holders.
When you get new (secondhand) ones, make sure that you give them a good clean out with a brush and compressed air as dust that is in the holder and on the darkslide can attach to the film surface before exposure.

Most people also keep their holders in ziplock sandwich plastic bags when not in use to reduce dust contamination. Dust on the outside of the darkslide will end up in the dust trap and can be pushed back down on to the film next time you load it.

I have to agree. I think your "cheap" bag will give you a lot of grief, with dust everywhere on your negs, thus costing you a lot more in wasted film