Black bags in a hot climate?

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goo0h

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I've been wondering about the "sand" Domke 803, in part because I live in a climate that can get pretty hot. I know black clothes in the Summer would be insane, so I'm figuring the same would be true for a photo bag, especially for the film tucked inside. However, how much does this really make any difference? Anybody know?
 
I use black camera bags and have traveled to some pretty hot climates - North Africa, Southern Spain, the Carribean and have never had any problems with my film. I'm always moving and never leave the bag in the sun. The way I carry my bag, my arm usually rests on top, blocking the sun a bit.
 
The reason dark colors are dark is that they absorb the light instead of reflecting it since light is energy, absorbing light makes things hotter.
 
And how about black cameras? I read in a manual to guard my Minolta X700 SLR from temperatures over 45C (IIRC) because lubricants may soften.
 
the black paint will be absorbing all the frequencies of light but at the same time emitting the longer, infrared, wavelengths so it will reach a stasis somewhat higher than the ambient temp, with all the variables it would be very difficult to calculate, probably safer to keep it in the shade
 
goo0h said:
However, how much does this really make any difference? Anybody know?
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I have seen bedouin in the desert wearing black, for what it's worth.
 
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ray_g said:
I have seen bedouin in the desert wearing black, for what it's worth.
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Probably along the lines of drinking hot coffee when it's hot outside?

FWIW Ansel Adams did some test of a black vs white film holder case- the black one went up to 135° or something in an hour- very hot in any case. These were closed hard cases, not bags, which would probably make a bit of difference. (I just tried to find this but couldn't- it may be in the 'Examples' book? which is at my office).

Just today I was wondering about my black camera in the hot sun walking around and feeling very overheated in much hotter temperatures than predicted this morning. Despite my being very hot the camera didn't feel all that hot to the touch- less hot than my 18% grey shirt. I've had more black body cameras than not, and I've never pulled out a film that seemed hot to the touch that I can remember. I've shot all over- deserts to this frigid north. I've had film cassettes & cameras freeze to my fingers but not burn them.
 
I do a lot of work in hot, sunny climates and find that the black bags get considerably hotter inside. This is why I like the sand Domkes. Black cameras as well, in direct sun, get hot as hell. I try to keep the stuff out of direct sun but when you're working you need to pay attention to the work, not whether the cameras are in the sun or not...
 
Pablito said:
I do a lot of work in hot, sunny climates and find that the black bags get considerably hotter inside. This is why I like the sand Domkes. Black cameras as well, in direct sun, get hot as hell. I try to keep the stuff out of direct sun but when you're working you need to pay attention to the work, not whether the cameras are in the sun or not...
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As it turns out, at the last minute I went with a sand 803, and I'm glad I did. I'm liking it quite a bit. I already had a black 5XB, so this gives me some options.
 
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