tim_atherton2 Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 I'm considering one of the Harrison film changing tents - the Standard/original for 35mm/8x10. Anyone using one, can you confirm the actual weight for me? Camera Essentials lists two different weights for it... As it's for travelling with, I'd like to know the actual weight -thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce watson Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 I've got the pup tent - the one recommended for 4x5. My postal scale says it weights in at 1 and 7/8 pounds. That's everything, tent, poles, stuff sack. The pup tent is pretty deep - doesn't quite fit on a hotel room table. I routinely cycle film through 10 film holders in it, with lots of room to spare. I would think that 8x10 might be tight, but certainly doable. That said, I just found the data you want on the web site: http://www.cameraessentials.com/OptionProductDetails.asp?Products_Action=Filter%28%22%28name+%3D%27Harrison+Film+Changing+Tent+%2835mm+or+8+x+10%29%27%29%22%29&Products_Position=PAR: It says the 8x10 tent is 2.5 pounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_luke Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 My Harrison "Pup" tent is 1.75lbs (including the bag) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted February 21, 2003 Author Share Posted February 21, 2003 Okay, first, not the pup tent (thanks guys) but the 8x10 tent. >It says the 8x10 tent is 2.5 pounds. But if you look at their PDF catalogue it says 3lbs... so which is it - half a pound here and there adds up for travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__jon__ Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 Hi Tim, <br> You might want to give them a call:<br> <br> Will Harrison<br> Harrison & Harrison <br> 1835 Thunderbolt Drive, Unit "E"<br> Porterville, CA 93257-9300<br> USA<br> Phone: +559-782-0121<br> Toll free within the USA only: 877-213-6787<br> FAX: +559-782-0824<br> Office & factory hours: 7am to 3pm Pacific time zone<br> Monday thru Friday <br> <br> Do you have a link for the pdf catalog?<br> <br> Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted February 21, 2003 Author Share Posted February 21, 2003 http://www.cameraessentials.com/CEcatalogfinal.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer_waak Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 I had bought the standard tent, and promptly returned it. I swear I could have fit into it. And, for traveling I thought it takes up wayyy too much room in the backpack. It would not have fit in the top part of my F64 BPX pack (the Pup one barely does). Then, I read a traveling with LF article by Nathan Congdon who says he uses the Pup tent for 8x10. It is considerably smaller. I confess, I have yet to use it, but it's in my bag for my trip this weekend. -Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpshiker Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 Tim, If you are looking for a lightweight solution (for 4x5 / 5x7), I just purchased a Photoflex changing room from Badgergraphic and it's only 1 1/2 lb. The floor size is an oval of 20x16" (could be too tight for 8x10) but the walls are straight up (cube). It folds in a second like the Photoflex reflectors and holds in a 20" circular bag 1" thick and seem very well made, with two layers. It's also inexpensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugene_singer Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 Tim, the total weight for the 8X10 tent , including the stuff sack, is probably closer to 3 lbs. These tents were designed for changing movie film rolls out on location. After struggling with changing bags for many years, I bought a Harrison Pup tent a few years ago. It has held up very well under some rough usage. It's a real pleasure to use, well worth the additional weight and bulk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david l. Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 Tim, I use the Harrison Pup Tent for 8x10 and have had no problems. It takes a little practice, and is a little tight, but it's definatly worth the savings in space and weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfried_kruse Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 I have the 8x10 Harrison tent. Its weight is 2lbs 5 ounces on my scale (incl. the bag). Wilfried Kruse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_luke Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 The address listed for Harrison and Harrison- isn't that for the lens filter company? I didn't know they did the tents also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffrey_james Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 Tim, I don't know whether your are camping, but I have yet to meet the motel bathroom that cannot, at night, be turned into a darkroom with a roll of tape. You can even do it sitting down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted February 21, 2003 Author Share Posted February 21, 2003 First, Harrison and Harrison isn't the same as Camera Essentials - Harrison, so a good job I didn't call... then: "I have yet to meet the motel bathroom that cannot, at night, be turned into a darkroom with a roll of tape. You can even do it sitting down." Maybe in you're average sleazy, all built from the same set of Lego N. American motel, but I enjoy small European hotels and B&B's whose bathrooms have a nice view... It would take quite a bit of duct tape to block out the nice view you have from the "throne" out of the wiondow and across the valley to the beautiful city of Bath :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_oneill Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 Hi Tim, As much as I wanted a harrison tent I just couldn't afford one. Once I converted the cost to Canuck Loonies I decided to look for alternatives. I was in Crappy tire the other day and found the answer to my prayers.....a hockey equipment bag! It's rubberized on the inside. By gluing big light tight flaps over the zipper (which is on the top) and kept down with velcro, no light gets in. I ripped the arms off of my old changing bag and sewed them on the hockey bag. Gluing some material over my pathetic stitching prevents light from entering. The bag is stiff enough that it won't collapse in on itself. It measures about 1 metre long, 40cm wide and high. Lots of room for 8x10 holders, fresh film box, and exposed film box. Collapses nicely too. Altogether cost me 40 Loonies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan_congdon Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 I would agree that counting on hotel bathrooms doesn't work in the long run. It was after climbing out of a wardrobe in South Africa having lost about 2 kg in 45 minutes trying to load film in the only light tight place I could find in a B and B that I vowed to buy a Harrison tent. The smallest ("Pup") tent will in fact work for 8X10. I have used it satisfactorily for that purpose for years. I also own their monster tent modified for 12X20, but don't always take it on trips due to space considerations. The "pup" is easy to drop in to just about any pack. Best regards, N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewillard Posted February 25, 2003 Share Posted February 25, 2003 Tim. I just bought a Harrison last year and used it extensively for loading 4x10 film in the field on about 10 5-day trips in the Colorado Rockies. Here is what I found: 1. What ever the weight ( 2.5 to 3 lbs), Harrison has struck the right balance between durability and weight. I suspect this tent will last me for a life time. My tent has been snowed on, hailed on, and rained on, and it has held up well. I recommend seam sealing the joints. 2. I do not like the floor material. It is made of nylon with no coating and it is slippery. A rubber coating would go a long ways to reducing static charge and keep things from slipping around. I recommend that you wipe down the floor with a wet sponge prior to loading to remove dust and static charge. 3. I have not been able to load film on my stomach with the tent on the ground. It is okay to do a few sheets that way, but when your unloading and loading lots of film it is not practical. I have since made a platform consisting of two sheets of 1/8" plywood that my llama carries. The two pieces bolt together to form a table top the size of my tent. There are looped bungee cords on each corner to hold the tent in place. I can turn the table-tent unit upside down and lean it up against a tree to help protect the tent from the elements. Or I can lay it on my llamas two saddle packs to form a table for loading. Once it is up, it stays up for the period I am in the mountains. The entire configuration weighs about 6 lbs. which includes a can of compressed air. Not good, but very practical and functional. If any body can offer me a better way of doing this, I would LOVE to hear from you! Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve daniels Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 I must be doing something wrong. My Llama loads the film and shoots the 8x10, but I carry everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve daniels Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 I've loaded film in hotel bathrooms, hotel closets, hotel utility rooms, under hotel sheets (if you layer the sheets and blankets and turn off the lights, it gets pretty dark under there), in the back of my light tight Eurovan (don't have it anymore), in caves, but NEVER on a platform on top of a llama. Got to get me one of those tents. By the way, I've realized that I do something very strange when loading film, and I've heard others say they do the same thing. No matter where I am loading sheet film holders, whether it is in the dark, in a changing bag with the lights on (even in caves), while I am loading the holders, I keep my eyes closed. Must pe a photo/psycho thing. People have told me I'm nuts. Could be they're right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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