changing bags

i do my film development in my way too small bathroom (anyone know the rents here in london???). not only is it inconvinient, my girlfriend starts to complain a bit.<p>

now i am considering a changing bag. is there anyone who uses them or knows to recommend a special model? they come in different sizes. can it be too big?

Something about your post I don't understand. The only time you need

complete darkness for film processing is when loading the film onto

the reel; once the reel is in the tank, you go from there with the

lights on. So I wouldn't imagine you would tie up the bathroom for

very long. That said, I have a changing bag which I always carry in

my luggage, in case I need to manually extract film from a jammed

camera. Years ago I also used it for loading 4x5 film holders and

the occasional 35mm or medium-format film into a developing tank.

They came in at least 2 sizes at that time, not sure anymore, I would

suggest getting one no larger than necessary because otherwise the

excess fabric will simply weigh on your hands. I don't know if

you're using a single-reel tank like I did, or loading the large

multi-reel type. That would make a difference in the size bag you'd

need.

Good for you Stefan! I do my developing at the kitchen sink. I use

two one roll stainless steel tanks with ss lightproof lids, and of

course, the best reels in the world, Hewes! Load film with change

bag, and develop to ambient room temperature. Size really depends on

size of tank. I use the smallest and cheapest I can find which will

usually last a life time. I don't know whether you're doing a dunk

method or not now, but with the tanks, I usually do a 30 second pre-

soak.

I didn't think much about changing bags (used the cheapest) until I

used someone else's money to buy one for a specific job, and got one

that Helix sells that has a dome-tent type structure inside to hold

it inflated--I gotta say, it's a great improvement on the basic

concept. But can't you find a dark closet somewhere you can change

film in, in the middle of the night? That's easiest of all.

to clarify: to get my bathroom absolutely dark, i have to close all

the doors in my flat, then lock myself in the bathroom, hang masses

of towels around the door and still can make out a few glimpses of

light. this is quite a procedure, and the whole flat is bocked for a

time. i don't even have enough space to sit down or get anyhow

comfortable. but i musn't complain. i only pay about three times as

much for this flat than i paid for a double the size one in Berlin.

I use a Harrison 4x5 Film Pup Tent, model HT 0200 at Calumet, for

loading 4x5 film. Built like a camping tent, the poles keep the bag

off what you are doing inside, which would be very helpful when trying

to load film onto a reel. The Harrison tent isn't inexpensive, but

extreme hassles with the older bag style convinced me of its worth.

I use a cheap 25� x 27� generic-brand bag. It�s ok for 35mm. I�ve

loaded as many as 4 reels at a time with it, there�s enough room for

that. A bag is way way easier than trying to make a room light-tight.

<p>

Can�t say whether a bag can be too big. If you can lose a cassette in

there it is probably too big?

<p>

Once in the tank, move your processing to the kitchen. If your

girlfriend complains about that then don�t hesitate to accommodate

her.

<p>

Cheers,

I wait until it's dark out, turn off the lights, and pull dark sheet

and blanket over my lap. If I have to load reels during the day, I'll

use the same scheme in a dark closet. Nothing fogged yet.

I've used the same changing bag (nylon w/double zippers at one end

and two elastic sleeves at the other) for thirty years. I use it for

loading film from cassettes onto developing tank reels while in a

fully lit room and for removing film from cameras when jamming or

breakage occurs. I've never had a light leak problem with my bag. I

highly recommend changing bags both for tank loading and for

emergency film removal situations.