Which Dark Cloth?

[Valerio Trigari]

Hi All,

I currently use a Linhof dark cloth, which does what it says on the tin. However, it's a bit on the heavy side and being bright red it's not exactly what I would call discreet... Do you have any suggestion on an alternative dark cloth? I've seen Paramo makes one, but I was wondering what other products are on the market.

Thanks,

Valerio

[Martin Jan Köhler]

Hi Valerio,

I've got a Harrisson Dark Cloth, and I like it.
http://www.cameraessentials.com/classic_dark_cloth.htm

It's black on the inside, and silver on the outside,
which reflects the sun and the outside also keeps water away,
so you can throw the dark cloth over the camera if it rains a lot...

Best,
Martin

[Valerio Trigari]

Hi Martin,

thanks for your suggestion, I will look it up.

Valerio

[Glenn Haworth]

Hi Valerio,

Another option is the Páramo Dark Cloth. I use one of these and would recommend it and like the Harrisson you can put this over your camera as well if it's raining.

Cheers,

Glenn.

[Paul Mitchell]

I use the BTZS Focus Hood http://www.viewcamerastore.com/servlet/ ... ark/Detail

The rubberised outer also makes for a great waterproof cover

[dave_whatever]

Having owned one breifly when it came with a camera I bought I wouldn't recommend a Harrison cloth (or similar) for anything other than studio work. I don't understand the appeal of a huge heavy expensive darkcloth that acts like a huge sail and can flip your camera over in a light breeze. Seems totally impractical to me. Instead I have two primark tshirts, one inside the other with an elastic drawcord round the wasit end which goes around the camera back, your head goes in the neckhole and one hand holding the loupe goes in a sleeve. Cost me about £3.

[David B]

Having owned one breifly when it came with a camera I bought I wouldn't recommend a Harrison cloth (or similar) for anything other than studio work. I don't understand the appeal of a huge heavy expensive darkcloth that acts like a huge sail and can flip your camera over in a light breeze. Seems totally impractical to me. Instead I have two primark tshirts, one inside the other with an elastic drawcord round the wasit end which goes around the camera back, your head goes in the neckhole and one hand holding the loupe goes in a sleeve. Cost me about £3.

That sounds like a brilliant idea, many thanks!

The next time the missus is in Primark getting something for the kids, I'll get her onto it!

[Valerio Trigari]

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

I will look into the Paramo dark cloth suggested by Glenn and the BTZS one suggested bt Paul. However, I do like what Dave did with two t-shirts. My wife likes sewing, so I could ask her if she wouldn't mind doing something similar for me.

Val

[Paul Mitchell]

My wife likes sewing, so I could ask her if she wouldn't mind doing something similar for me.

Val

Might be your best bet Valerio

Joe Cornish's wife made one for Joe out of an old piece of black clothing which then became the template for the Paramo dark cloth... and made a bit of money off it too!

Paul

[Valerio Trigari]

I'm sure she won't mind, plus I think it's not going to be very complicated. We'll see how it goes!

[joolsb]

I just use an old black fleece which also doubles as an extra layer if it gets cold….

[Trail Images]

I've used a variety of over the counter units and found fault with most for one reason or another. However, on one of my many trips to Death Valley NP years ago I met a group of fine LF shooters from the UK. They all had made their own out of light weight material, white outside and black inside sewed together with a draw cord on the ground-glass side and Velcro at the open bottom for closure. I finally talked my wife into using a borrowed sewing machine to put one together. Took less then a half hour. I've never been disappointed in the home brewed unit and can only thank the nice folks I met from the UK over those few days at DVNP for sharing the basic design thought with me.

[Nigels]

I've got the Paramo one. Works for me.