RE: Question on changing bag--the epilogue

["Wesson, Dexter L" <dexter.l.wesson@xxxxxxxx>]

I was the one who reported the problem with the Calumet 'changing room'
AKA Photoflex changing bag.  I first noted my problem as a result from
changing film at a camp site in subdued light while in northern
Minnesota catching fall colors.

> 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.
> 
Very same procedure except I used HIE and Tmax in 4x5 sizes held in film
boxes.

> 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.
> 
Same problem, the Tmax was fine, i.e. base+fog for both the exposed one
and the one fresh from the new box of film, the fresh IR from the box
was fine but the one exposed (and I do mean exposed ;) in the changing
bag was almost completely 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.
> 
Know what you mean, I lost about 12 sheets of film, three exposed and
the remainder of a 25 sheet box which was open in the changing bag while
reloading film.  Of course the changing bag did have a tiny slip of
paper reminding you to test for light leaks, RT$%#M.  It seemed to me
that this bag is completely transparent to IR.  

I did report the problem to Calumet who pointed me to Photoflex.
Calumet promised to make a note to inform customers that the bag was NOT
IR proof.  The designer of the bag at Photoflex knew of the problem from
previous reports and stated that there were no plans to change it, nor
any way to fix it other than draping IR proof material over the bag.  He
had no suggestions as to what was IR proof.

I have a 'el cheapo' bag made by Tundra that I use for IR alone and it
works fine, except for falling in the way all the time ;).  This is my
solution, since the bag is excellent for regular film.


> 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.
> 
Most likely a waste of good film.  I've tried changing 35 mm IR film
with the camera covered with various materials that I thought would help
and it doesn't.

> 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.
> 
See above

> David
> 
dex

> "If there is a God, the Cardinal de Richlieu will have much to answer
> for.  If
> not...well, he had a successful life."-Pope Urban VIII
> 
> 
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