michael_legan Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 Looking for sources that sell a Ultra Large Format (16x20) size focusing cloth. Any help is greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
light-zone Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 I know this is too obvious, but why not make your own? Even if you do find one that is "made for 16X20" you and I both know it's going to cost you a fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_barlow Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 My wife (bless her) made mine out of two layers -- black on the inside and white on the outside to reflect heat. Sewed in big washers on the corners to hold it down in a wind. The best part: we measured around the back of my 8x10 and she sewed in an elastic band so that it easily fits over the back, and then up over my head. Easily removed after focusing. We had also measured to make sure it would be long enough to drape completely down my back. It's huge (so am I -- 6'6"), but it works marvelously. So I agree with make your own, or have someone significant make one for you. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
light-zone Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 My girlfriend made mine in much the same way, using an elastic band to hold it onto the camera. I can image working without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_pietri5 Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 Yup, make your own. Head over to a fabric store and see what they have. Make it a heavy duty fabric, two colors, black on one side, white on the other. Treat it with Scotchguard or other water proofing. The elastic sounds like a great idea. I sewed a heavy duty zipper at one end to zip it up around the camera so it does not slide off while working. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_freeman Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 Definately make your own. It is very cheap. All I had to do was buy the two pieces of fabric (white and black) and have them sewn together. 1 yard by 2. It cost $5 for the sewing and $20 for the fabric. The great thing is beaing able to pick custom fabrics. I used black velvet (great because it reflects no light, and it grips great. I mean it won't slide all over the place when trying to focus.) and this white fabric for sewing onto curtains to keep sunight out. I can't remember what it's called; black-out maybe. Completely light proof, and a bit wieghty. Makeing it great for use in the wind. There is a great article in the september/october 2000 issue of view camera by Gordon Hutchings on benefits and tips on making your own. hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_moulton7 Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 Constructing the cloth is a very good idea. I would add to the suggestions given earlier only these : material-- Black ultra-suede with a white cotton backing obscures light extremely well. The cloth can be folded, abused, etc. and retains its shape and efficiency. As an added feature I had a tape measure sewn into one edge of mine, useful for quick determination of exposure increases when moving close to the subject--or extending the bellows significantly. The elastic works well around the "mouth" of the cloth. But I suggest you make certain the cloth will fit on and come off the camera easily. The BTZS cloths I have had fit so tightly that removing them for film holder insertion ia a problem. Hope this helps. Some would use velcro strips sewn in rather than elastic. Either works, but the velcro picks up all sorts of dirt, etc. over the years. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john lehman, college alask Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 The only problem with making your own (or having a non-sewing-impaired relative/friend make one) is that now that we are a part of Photonet, it is a violation of the Photonet ethos to make or adapt something rather than to pay lots of $$ for an "official" photographic product :-) Personally I made my own dark cloth (my wife cannot sew, but I can). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_dvorak Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 I would definitely go BTZS; they'll custom-make their cloths in sizes over 12x20 for about the cost of, oh, maybe 5-10 sheets of 16x20 film. It could be the best investment you'll make: http://www.darkroom-innovations.com/BTZS_Focus_Cloth/btzs_focus_cloth. html (delete the space before "html") Also, for those who have standard-sized BTZS cloths: for little or nothing they'll modify their standard cloths for those who find the standard sizes too tight or too loose for a particular camera model. Just send it back, tell them what you want, and they'll adjust it exactly as you want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_wellman Posted July 2, 2002 Share Posted July 2, 2002 If your looking to purchase you have two sources. The View Camera Store (formally known as Darkroom Innovation and the primary source for BTZS) and Wisner cameras. The View Camera has a very unique cloth which has elastic band sewn into the edge so it hugs your camera. I have two, one for my 8x10 and one for my 8x20. They are very nice. Best of luck Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel flather Posted July 2, 2002 Share Posted July 2, 2002 Bed sheet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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