Change Tents ... the good the bad and the ugly?

[ColSebastianMoran]

seven thin metal or fiberglass wands. four of them the same length for the uprights and three longer ones for the crossbars. I made mine hinged so they would collapse when not in use. You cut them to the correct length to fit the bag size. The only tricky part is finding the hinge that you want to use. I took a wooden spool that looked like a yoyo and drilled holes where I needed them and pushed the wands into the holes. It was very secure.

Tinker-Toy rig? Or use one of the more current kids construction sets?

To hold the bag up away from hands.

 

[vitaly66]

I bought a length of 3/4" pvc pipe, a handful of pipe fittings, plus 4 rubber feet. Built up a frame that serves as an internal support to a normal dark bag. Comes apart to stow flat when not in use.

Used this setup for years and years for processing countless rolls of medium format while living in equatorial Africa. And still works to this day.

As mentioned earlier, handwashing with dish liquid and thorough drying immediately beforehand helps a lot.

Oh, and I should mention one other huge advantage: air conditioning!

 

[Steve M.]

Just go in a closet after nightfall and shut the door. I can't tell you how much work and planning I put into blocking out the light in several windows in my bedroom so that I could develop and print w/ my enlarger until a light bulb went off (dimly).......just wait until it gets dark. Duh.

 

[Dogman]

Years ago I used a bag with a collapsible plastic framework. I assume that's the same thing as what is referred to as a tent nowadays. It was a fantastic solution to using a 4x5 in the field. I can recall sitting at the picnic table in several National Parks campgrounds in full daylight while loading/unloading 4x5 holders--no problem except for occasional winds. The framework was essential to me as I wouldn't consider using the bag without it. My only suggestion is to get a much larger size than you think you will need. You need room inside to move things around and not having enough space will certainly make the experience frustrating for the short fused.

 

[skibeerr]

😀 Hydroponic tent 😎

 

[wjlapier]

How long is it taking you to load the reel and what kind of reel(s) are you using? I have the white plastic Patterson type with the small ledge to get the film started in the reels. After many reels loaded I can have one ready to go very quickly. Sooner you get out of the bag the better �� You'll get faster the more you do it.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Keith , go to a hardware store and get yourself a small 8" or 10" fan and simply put it in
the end of the changing bag and go to the dimmest part of your place , your smile will go from cheek to cheek 🙂 . Trust me on this one , I've used it for a couple of years.
Peter

 

[craygc]

Hey Keith,

Used to shoot a lot of 16mm motion picture film, and used a changing tent all the time for loading and unloading the mags. The kind I have, they sell at B&H, but they're a bit more than $80.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/172903-REG/Harrison_1000_Pup_Film_Changing_Tent.html

Your hands will still get sweaty, but you do have more room to move around inside. For all my 35mm and 120 film changing needs, I use a bag. I only do one roll at a time, letting my hands dry out and the bag air out a bit between rolls.

My issue with the changing tent is that it takes up more room than the bag, and I don't like leaving it set up all the time. But it does give move room than a bag.

Best,
-Tim

I went from a change bag to one of these pup tents - couldn't be happier.

My last round of development last month, for some reason, was a horrible experience of loading reels with 120 and 135 films - I had to pull the reels apart a number of times to start again. Extremely frustrating, but having the room in the tent and the inside being held away from my hands and the working space is about the only thing that saved my patience...

 

[muser53]

Keith,
I use a Photoflex bag like the one listed on the B&H site. Works like a charm and folds up for easy storage.
I too live in a small cottage and this is the best solution I've come upon.
Paul

 

[benlees]

Calumet makes a great changing "tent". Tons of room and it folds up flat.

 

[Ronald M]

Changing bag and build a wire frame to hold it up and open. #10 is ok.