Re: 4x5 HIE and bellows?

[John Sparks <sparks@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>     I read somewhere years ago that you should not have a camera bag in 
>     direct sunlight when reloading HIE.  Is it true that IR can go though 
>     cloth and some plastics?  I am thinking of buying a 4x5 for IR work, 
>     do some bellows allow IR though?  If so, what is the fix and/or whose 
>     bellows don't allow IR though?

I have two large format cameras, a Wisner and a Canham.  I called both
manufacturers and Wisner told me their standard leather bellows was not
IR safe, but they sell a special IR bellows for $80 (which is pretty
cheap as bellows go).  Canham said their bellows was IR safe and my
tests have proven them correct (I haven't tried the Wisner nor have I
bought the IR bellows).  I would guess in general, any camera with a
leather bellows (like my Dad's old Speed Graphic) will not be IR safe
(but leather bellows are pretty rare these days on new cameras, except