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Darkroom advice please.
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I want to set up my own darkroom, either in the bathroom or shed. I’m looking to buy a secondhand enlarger, but I don’t know anything about them. The film sizes I shoot with are 35mm colour+B&W and 120mm Colour+B&W. Any advice on what type and spec of enlarger I will need would be greatly appreciated.
So far this is the list of things that I’ll need to set up a diy darkroom. If I need anything else please let me know.
*developer tank and film spool
*Glow in the dark timer
*Thermometer
*sink and running water
*developer,stop bath and fixer and trays to put them in
*tongs
*enlargerthese will help, there what i used, the last one is a pdf from kodak that I found helpful.
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=32″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.apogeephoto.com/sept2000/home_darkroom.shtml” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www3.telus.net/drkrm/pdf/kodak_design.pdf” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Jonny,
Btw, if you don’t have running water in your darkroom you can still have one althought its easier of course to
have it :)You pretty much have everything there except a safe light and measuring jugs. Oh and you’ll need film clips to hang your film up to dry.
Hi Jonny,
An enlarger that can go up to 6×7 will allow you to print from 35mm up to 6×6 & 6×7. Each format will require a seperate negative holder, so just make sure the enlarger you buy has them, or that they are available easily enough used. Also, an enlarger with a colour head, will allow you to dial any filtration required, without having to resort to filters.
Re: where to buy, they pop up occasionally enough, and would keep an eye here on PI, and also other Irish sources such as buyandsell.ie & adverts.ie. I would also recommend posting wanted ads in these places, as often enough someone may have an unused enlarger they had not considered selling, until they saw someone wanted to buy one. If you’re in Dublin, also consider Gunnes, as I occasionally see them in there, and if they knew you were looking for one, would very likely keep an eye out for one for you.
One item I didn’t see on your list was an enlarger timer, which is effectively an essential item. You may be able to get one of these bundled with the enlarger you buy, but if not, keep an eye on places like ebay, as well as the sources mentioned above.
I can’t advise re: colour, as I only shoot and print black and white, but would say to set up for b&w first, as there is less needed to get you going. Temperature control is important with colour, and other bits and pieces will be needed, but these can all be added to a basic b&w darkroom setup.
Re: drying, a simple drying line strung up and clothes pegs to weight your film/ prints will work nicely for RC prints & film. Dedicated film clips can be pricey.
Re: darkroom design itself, there are a few threads here in the film forum here, so have a look around. I would advise doing a bit of googling, and trying to see as many images of real darkrooms as possible, as it will give you an idea of what you will likely need.
Good luck and have fun. You seem to be on the right track with what you have outlined, and would just add you will need to black out the space you are using, which you probably already know :)
Hi Jonny
I am just recovering from a hip replacement operation so suffering cabin fever at home.
Decided it was time to do a spring clean. So these items may be of interest to you.
I will post details in the “For Sale” section tonight !!
Durst M605 Colour Head with transformer but missing the negative carrier which you could source separately or perhaps get someone to make a template for 35mm or even medium format?? Hauck TU 20 Timer. Paterson Develop drums 4541, Jobo 1530 and Paterson system 4 ( 2 reel).
Also bee hives safelights, stirrers, tongs, print dryer and lots more!!
I will follow normal process and post all the required information tonight in the correct “For Sale” section.
Beeker40 aka GerThank you all for taking the time out to give me advice, I appreciate it. I will do some more research and read through those links properly. Thanks again.
Beeker40, Thanks for the heads up, I’ll have a look at that thread tonight.
Hi there,
I’ve not gotten to processing any film just yet, but from what I gather, Lights go off, film goes in the tank, Lights go on…
I dont see where a glow in the dark timer comes into it?
Might spare ya a few quid..
Best wishes
IanGone2themoon wrote:
Hi there,
I’ve not gotten to processing any film just yet, but from what I gather, Lights go off, film goes in the tank, Lights go on…
I dont see where a glow in the dark timer comes into it?
Might spare ya a few quid..
Best wishes
IanThe timer is used with the enlarger.
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