Do you use a changing bag? Recommendations?

T

Tuolumne

Veteran
Local time
7:40 AM
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Messages
3,005
I want to start using a changing bag for handling my film. Do you use one? If so, is there one you like more than another or anything to especially look for in choosing one over another? I only want to use it to load reels for developing and other film handling chores.

/T
 
For 35mm, I use the Jobo daylight loading tank. It's fantastic. No bags or darkness necessary. On the downside, they're not the easiest to find.
 
I tried the daylight loading tank and had nothing but problems with it. I couldn't get the film to unwind all the way before I cut off the roll. If anyone wants it . . . well, nevermind, I put it somewhere far away where it wouldn't bother me.
 
Get a bag made of fabric so your hands do not sweat. Get a size that can handle at least one size bigger film than you use.
 
I use a dark(changing) bag all the time. I bought mine from my local camera shop many moons ago. It folds very small and I carry it with anytime I venture too far from home or too the beach since I have reputation for drowning cameras and need to get the film out in a hurry!

Mine is made from two layers of fabric... I really need to get a spare sometime soon.
 
there is generic branded changing bag selling in Adorama and B&H. works great.
(try get a bigger size one. I got a small size one at first but later on found out that i need a bigger one for 120 films and bulk loading...)
 
I used one of those generic changing bags from B&H until it got a little cramped for my purposes.

I switched to a Harrison pup changing tent, which is very roomy. The "dome" keeps the tent material from getting in the way of things when I'm loading developing tanks and so forth. It also keeps the bag from getting overly hot and humid. The tent sets up quickly and folds quickly for storage in a dust case.

The major downside with the Harrison tents is that they are ridiculously expensive. After a good deal of watching and waiting, I found a used one for a reasonable price on *Bay.
 
I use an old Calumet-branded "Changing Room", a product made by Photoflex. It folds into a disk about 18" in diameter and when set up is easily roomy enough for all the tasks I've ever asked of it using 35mm, 120, and 4x5 films. I imagine using formats any larger would beg the use of a dedicated darkroom. I've been happy with it for ten years, so I guess that qualifies an endorsement.

They're still available and while they do represent another gear investment, are not prohibitively expensive.

-J.
 
If you can afford a changing tent get one The prices are about $90. which is high. Freestyle has a 27"X30" bag for 19.99 on sale that looks pretty big. I have a bag but it's rather small. Get the largest you can find.
 
dof said:
I use an old Calumet-branded "Changing Room", a product made by Photoflex. It folds into a disk about 18" in diameter and when set up is easily roomy enough for all the tasks I've ever asked of it using 35mm, 120, and 4x5 films. I imagine using formats any larger would beg the use of a dedicated darkroom. I've been happy with it for ten years, so I guess that qualifies an endorsement.

They're still available and while they do represent another gear investment, are not prohibitively expensive.

-J.
Click to expand...

I will second this endorsement...I've had mine for about the the same amount of time...I got it for loading 4x5 film holders...
The only downside to using this is the need for tabletop space...I mostly use the kitchen table when using this...:cool:
 
I've never had a problem with the bags. I don't find the material draping across things a problem. And I'm not sure why some people would find them to get hot. I load two reels in a couple minutes and I'm back out in the fresh air again! :p
 
marke said:
I've never had a problem with the bags. I don't find the material draping across things a problem. And I'm not sure why some people would find them to get hot. I load two reels in a couple minutes and I'm back out in the fresh air again! :p
Click to expand...

If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have said the same thing. But when I began to develop more rolls in bigger tanks, I definitely found my old changing bag annoying. I would have to fish around in the material to find a reel or the scissors. And a little perspiration on my hands after a few minutes would make matters worse (the only time I've ever had a problem loading a plastic developing reel was the result of sweaty hands one summer in my old changing bag).

A changing tent has improved things a lot. It's not that I couldn't survive with a generic changing bag. But I don't curse as often as I used to!
 
get larger than you think you need. I found cheapest on ebay. for cutting I put a small box in my bag so I don't accidentally cut the fabric... poor man's tent I guess.
 
dof said:
I use an old Calumet-branded "Changing Room", a product made by Photoflex. It folds into a disk about 18" in diameter and when set up is easily roomy enough for all the tasks I've ever asked of it using 35mm, 120, and 4x5 films.
Click to expand...

I also use and heartily endorse this product. For everything up to 4x5 it's fantastic. The pop-up frame holds the cloth well away from your hands. The large zipper access makes it easy to set up your tasks, and to go in and retrieve loaded tanks (and find the scissors, or clean up anything you might have dropped).

By far the best changing bag for the buck.

edit: come to think of it, I've loaded 8x10 film holders in this sucker too... great bag/tent
 
Last edited:
I agree about getting a larger size than you need. Although some models can be expensive, the large and small tents both collapse down to a similar size.

I have the Harrison Standard which provides me ample space to load film onto reels into sheet film holders.
 
I use one bought from an eBay seller by the name of roger_luo (suggested, I believe, in a discussion on RFF). It's made of heavy-duty cotton and has been very comfortable in use, loading 35mm and 120 rollfilm onto reels and into a Paterson two-reel tank. Choosing is easy - just go for the largest size available.
 
I also got one of the two foot square (approx.) sized cotton bags from Roger Luo. It was to replace an old nylon/polyester one, which had started to fall to bits, and the difference in comfort and practicality is huge.

If necessary, it is big enough to put a small box (shoe-box on it's side, for example) inside to make a fabric-free space, if you prefer it. For 35mm loading I don't bother with the box, but for 120 or (rarely) 4"x5" it is handy.
 
Last edited:
I currently have the Freestyle $20 bag. It's easier to use if you can find a cardboard box that'll just fit inside to keep bag up off of your hands. About 40 years ago I had a bag sold by Spiratone that had a big coil spring and an air valve built into it. The spring supported the bag & you could change the air in it by compressing the spring like a concertina. I wish that I could get another one.
 
I have a venerable 'Phago' bag from the old day's. I can't even remember where it came from but it still does the business. I guess Roger will remember these!

A guide new year to you all,

normclarke.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom