Re: Question on changing bag--the epilogue

["Elton N. Kaufmann - Cycloid Fathom Group" <cycloid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

David:
I'm the one who did a similar but less precise test on my new Harrison tent
(the size for 4x5) and saw fogging.  Someone on the list answered that
their Harrison was fine, but the Calumet/Photoflex was not IR tight.  So I
did another test.  My Nikon has been set not to suck the leader into the
cassette on rewind.  I  unloaded one roll normally in my small cheap bag of
unknown origins that has proven to be tight.  I put the camera with the
other roll rewound in the Harrison, opened the camera back for about 3
minutes with the bag in bright (Illinois) sunlight.  Both rolls were
processed together and the first leader was perfectly clear, the second was
jet black (not just fogged).  

I called the manufacturer (Patty Harrison of "Cameral Essentials") and she
was very interested in learning more and suggested more precise tests
(essentially varying exposure time).  But, I think with your experience
added to mine the problem is confirmed.  She was concerned whether it was a
problem with the basic design of neoprene coated synthetic fabric, or if it
was due to the odd defective tent (which she said has occurred, but not
often, for visible light.)
She went so far as to offer to test the tent if I would send it to her.  
I am sure she would value hearing your results.  

Her coordinates are:
Camera Essentials
2620 1/2 Hyperion Ave.  (that's 2620 and a half)
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 666-8936

I'd be interested in others' experience with this tent.  I love the way it
sets up, but it looks like it's going back to the store shelf.
							Disappointed,
									EltonK


>Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:07:38 -0500
>From: David Riecks <riecks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: RE: Question on changing bag--the epilogue
>
>As promised heres my update on the Harrison Changing bag I purchased in
>early April of this year.
>
>I had noticed some slight fogging on the beginning of several of the b&w
>infrared rolls that I loaded in full afternoon sunlight while on vacation in
>Arizona. Some that I had loaded in the changing bag but in a darkened room
>at night did not have this telltale fogging.
>
>I didn't want to be premature in my report so I waited till I could test
this.
>
>I had two rolls of Kodak B&W infrared (one which was not quite finished) to
>develop. I loaded the first twenty four frames of the roll that wasn't
>finished in a darkroom. I snipped the remaining frames in half and put 1/2
>in one of the black plastic canisters. The other half I put in a developing
>tank and closed the lid. As a double check I took and unexposed roll of
>tri-x and clipped about 4 to 6 frames from it, put 1 part in another plastic
>canister and the other part in the same developing tank as the IR clip
>(which I had clipped the edges so I could tell which was TX and which IR.
>
>I put the two canisters and the developing tank in the film changing bag and
>went outside in the noon day sun (Central Illinois at 12:30). I put my arms
>into the changing bag and opened the developing tank and pulled each clip
>strip out and held it inside of the changing bag, emulsion side up. I left
>the film in the other two canisters as a check. I held the strips out for
>five minutes (timed on my watch). At the end of the time I put the strips
>back in the tank, removed by arms and took the whole mess inside to develop.
>
>I developed both the Tri-x and the IR as I do normally. The strips in the
>canisters were clear (base + fog). Of the strips that I held out in the
>changing bag for five minutes, the Tri-X was fine (looked the same as the
>one in the canister). The IR strip however, was quite fogged.
>
>Needless to say I am quite upset. I'm certainly glad I don't shoot sheet
>film, or else you'd really see me steaming.
>
>When I get a chance I'd like to repeat this test but in some other likely
>changing areas. Inside of a motel room, bathroom, normal room lights, etc.
>
>Of the rolls that I had to change while on vacation the fogging only seems
>to occur in the first couple of frames as you advance. I don't believe any
>of my frames #2 were seriously damaged...and most of the frames #1 were fine
>as well.
>
>Thought some of you might be interested before plunking down $80 some
>dollars for a changing bag. Not sure if these results are the same as
>someone reported with the Calumet/Photoflex changing tent, but I'd be
>interested to compare notes.
>
>David
>
>David Riecks                    *       riecks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx  
>701 W. Washington St            *                 or
>Champaign, IL 61820             *       riecks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx       
>ph/fax 217-239-FOTO (3686)      *        Midwest/Chicago ASMP   
>          http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/riecks            
>
Exhibiting fine-art and editorial photography
Cycloid Fathom Gallery
Elton N. Kaufmann, Chairman
P. O. Box 8129
Downers Grove, Illinois 60517-8129
USA
cycloid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.cycloid-fathom.com/gallery/
ftp.cycloid-fathom.com/group/uploads/

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End of Infrared-Digest V0 #526
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