bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

In the 70's I built a very complete wet darkroom. It was a dedicated add on room in the basement. I equipped it to do B&W and color to 16x20. I loved it.

Work forced me to move and digital began to dominate. I saved my negatives and proof sheets but thought I would never be able to print them again.

When my mother-in-law died two years ago, my wife bought an Epson V500 scanner for the travel slides left behind. I know it was supposed to do B&W negatives, but never tried it. Current price appears to be about $150.

A current rebate program makes the newer Canon Pixma Pro-100 13 x 19 photo optimized printer available for $100.

I already have a good laptop with Lightroom and Elements for digital photography. So I'm not counting the price of those.

With the scanner and printer I've replaced the enlarger, trays, sinks, drying racks, safe lights and the room itself.

I spent the last few days working on perfecting some scanner settings for feeding to lightroom. I scanned a 40 year old 35mm negative I took with Nikon gear. It's a shot of my wife. The printed quality seems considerably better than I remember ever being able to do in my darkroom.

I'm stunned and have tears in my eyes looking at the print. Nothing is lost! I simply can't believe I have use of my negatives back!

The print is better to look at than the upload, but FWIW, this is the scanner output converted from .tiff to .jpg for upload.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Very nice! You will be happy with the Pixma.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I wish I could show how dazzling the Canon Pro-100 actual, real life prints are. I'm astonished! I've been making photographic prints since about '73. Nothing has been this nice.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

So sad :(

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Are you giving me a "hard time"? Your signature says you are getting a degree in 2014? I got my first degree in '68! Perhaps you should consider respect for us elders? (grinning here).

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Love your story.
Yes I love my little Pixma, very good quality prints.
Mine only goes to A4/letter/8x12 size though.
Don't be tempted to use anyone elses inks or paper. The Canon ink and paper are very very good.
I use PP201 paper.

Fergus Loc: Westfield,IN

That one beautiful photo of your wife makes all your work worthwhile. I can see why it brought tears to your eyes.

SueMac Loc: Box Elder, SD

I've scanned in over 9000 old photos using my Epson V500. Did all my old prints, my sister in laws, and recently did a bunch from my step kids of them and their mom. Lots of work, but lots of fun restoring them.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Yes. I was giving you a hard time. No disrespect intended, it is sad to see another darkroom go, but I understand people's choice.

I will add that if you want good inkject b&w prints try Hanhemuhle Baryta or Harman Baryta. They are very similar in weight and surface texture to Ilford MGIV Multigrade FB. They are the best inkjet papers I have found.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

It was not entirely about WHO was in the picture, but the QUALITY of the print that brought at least some of the tears of joy!