[LargeFormat] DIY Focusing Cloth and Blankies

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message -----
From: "tripspud" <tripspud@transbay.net>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 6:11 AM
Subject: Re: [LargeFormat] DIY Focusing Cloth and Blankies


> Hi Stuart,
>
>        Recently returning to photography after decades of
other interests,
> I've set up a black and white darkroom and large format
outfit.  I've
> made a focusing cloth previously for an 8x10.  For the 5x7
moded
> Seneca, I've spent the $60 on a BTZS cloth.  These are
well thought
> out clothes that fit tightly around the back of the
camera, are rounded/closed
>
> in the back and with velcro along the bottom.  Silver on
the outside.  Better
> than anything I could make.  Considering the overall
expense of darkroom
> work equipement and large format gear, I didn't feel they
were expensive
> and they safe a lot of frustration right where you don't
need it.  The length
> of the BTZS cloth is just right for viewing the
groundglass.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rich Lahrson
> Berkeley, California
> tripspud@transbay.net
>
> Stuart Phillips wrote:
>
  I think you can make a servicable dark cloth of Serge, a
tightly woven cloth. It should be available at any fabric
store.
  I have one dark cloth which came with an old camera made
of light cloth which appears to be callendared on one side.
Unfortunately, the folks at the fabric stores know about
only the most common cloth and can't identify it. I sure
would like to get more. Just as in hardware or other
specialty items it helps to know the names of things. If you
ask for something using the right name the guy (or gal) will
just reach up and get you one. Otherwise you are in for a
session of gymnastic descriptions. Also applies to plumbing
parts, which tend to have names like a No.3 Tapered Throat
McGillicudy Valve for a Sloan Type-B Upright Pillbox
Watercloset (of which you have the only remaining example,
and it leaks). Photography is just as bad.

Lt. Dundee: ...ever see one before?
Sam Spade: Yeah, Webley-Fosberry Automatic Revolver. Thirty
eight caliber, eight shot. They don't make them anymore.

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com