Changing Bag

Make sure you get a 100% cotton bag. The nylon ones are both sweaty and fragile after a few years as the coatings come off. I am another person who replaced a nylon bag with the cotton ones from Roger Luo. I also have the 57x61 size and it is more than enough for a double tank. They are also large enough to stand the bottom half of a shoebox in, so that you have plenty of finger-space.
 
Just to chime in, I haven't had any issues with the Arista bag offered by Freestyle. I think it was $20-25 dollars 6 months ago when I bought it. I am by no means a pro - I've only been doing at home development since the start of the year - but I'm in and out of that bag with two 120 rolls spooled in about 5 minutes.
 
I've used the Photoflex tent for a couple years now, but it gets pretty warm here in the summer and the non-breathable nylon really heats up when doing loading four rolls or a bunch of LF film holders -- the Roger Luo bags look like a great (cooler) alternative. Might have to give those a try; and they'd be more convenient for travel too. Thanks for posting the recommendation.

MartinP said:
Make sure you get a 100% cotton bag. The nylon ones are both sweaty and fragile after a few years as the coatings come off. I am another person who replaced a nylon bag with the cotton ones from Roger Luo. I also have the 57x61 size and it is more than enough for a double tank. They are also large enough to stand the bottom half of a shoebox in, so that you have plenty of finger-space.
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Thanks everyone for using my product and supporting it.
After 6 years since I put it on e Bay, the line of changing bag products are still going strong.

I admit as a side kick income it helped funding my photography hobby and occasionally, an addition goodie to the house to keep my better half pleased. :)

The secret of no sweat it is indeed breathable cotton as MartinP said. You don't sweat in cotton t-shirts, now try a rubber jacket.

I agreed that XL size bag 59cm X 87cm (23x34 inch) with a shoe box inside should be suffice for most of applications. Just that some of you would just like a tent.

I am working on the mark 2 tent, which would be self-support. Got to say the production cost/retail price/market potential being an achilles heel (or hills).

Since sterling pounds losing a 3rd of the value, fabric price pegged up with production cost, it wasn't being easy to keeping up. (Believe me, I am not in a similar position to negotiate against manufacturer like Wal Mart or Tesco could).

Now anyone like to see my portfolio book? (no?)
 
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I like the idea of a cloth bag, too. I have the Harrison bag, which is top-notch but synthetic and I've learned to work fast during the summer months - it's remarkable how much moisture your arms throw. I'm doing mostly 120 in it, but also load/unload my 4x5 carriers with it, too (their tent is better for that job). But, neither perspiration nor size are really that bad an issue. Quest for "Best" generally means nothing gets done.
 
The one I use is about 2'x2'. I'd get the biggest one you can imagine using. You never know what you might use it for in the future.
Vic
 
I have just ruined two 120 rolls because my bag became too sweaty. I'll definitely buy a new bag from Roger Luo and in the meantime I'll try to use cotton gloves. Thanks for the tip.
 
Alejandro CD said:
Hi,

I am thinking about buying a changing bag to develop B/W film because i don't have a proper room at home.
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Since its not intended to be portable--- for the road--- I'd strongly suggest a changing box instead of a bag. These boxes---- made by companies such as Fujifilm, Crown, Noritsu etc.--- have due to the decline of the mini-lab become quite affordable on the 2nd hand market. They are a pleasure to use. Despite having a good darkroom I still use a few of these.

I also have a changing bag. Boxes are not terribly good for light field work. Mine is the polyester and cotton standard. It fits in my bag. They are perfectly fine for what they are and for they are intended. Polyester is used to reduce the weight and bulk. I'd not get a full cotton bag since these tend to be quite heavy and less portable--- and if portability is not needed than its a box alway..

Tents? I'd don't need one. They are like changing bags but much much larger. They are the thing for loading 8x10" or larger sheet film in the field. For anything smaller than what these days is called ultra large format (ULF) they are...
 
To those haven't decided or have friends maybe interested in a changing bag, please buy one quick. We may have a risk of securing the supply from next year on.

As promised, here is my portfolio book, thanks for all you shopping with me and providing fund for my pursue: http://www.blurb.com/books/1496930
 
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two simple tips:

- use the biggest you can afford
- check that they are Infrared-proof

Its somewhat annoying to find out, that when you are working in a fairly sunny room to have IR-sensitized films (not only "real" IR films, but also those aerial Films like Agfa ASP 400S/Rollei Retro 400S etc. fogged...

As far as I understood, my Paterson bag ist not IR-Proof, but I also work only in dim light, so this exposes no big problems.
 
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