35mmnow

I'm looking for help to set up a darkroom in a small (6x10) basement bathroom. I have a small sink, no windows and a viewfinder that will barely fit on a short table (7' ceiling) when installed. I also need to purchase an amber light, chemicals etc. I use a 35mm. I'm about an hour out of Mpls., MN.

tarsen Loc: Minneapolis MN

I had a dark room in the 80's and early 90's and still have a lot of equipment that I am willing to sell fairly cheap. This includes everything you would need to develop film and print pictures. Contact me if you are interested.

Thomas Arsenault

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I cannot remember if since 2001 I ever heard of anyone that wanted to set up an optical darkroom till now. I am not saying that what you want to do is wrong I am simply saying that setting up a darkroom sounds strange today when the majority of photographers are using digital technologies.
It was precisely in 2001 that I donated all of my optical darkroom. My favorite paper, made by Agfa was already getting difficult to find and Kodak was having all kind of financial problems at the time.
Fuji was still selling their films with a large part of their sales going to the medium and large format. Ferrania in Italy was gone and Ilford was on its way out. Drugstores and Department Stores had less and less supply of film and those left were very expensive. It still took a few years before my professional lab informed me that they no longer were developing film and printing was only on especial orders. The majority of their work was digital.
I miss the darkroom, perhaps because I worked in it for so many years with my favorite b&w film which was Tri-X. I did color work but my fascination was with b&w development and printing.
Today, even when I still keep two Nikon film bodies they have not seen any use in years and I question if they will ever see any further use. It is not that I do not like and enjoy working with film but the fact is that film is now difficult to get and expensive to have it processed. I have not heard of anybody lately shooting slide film.
As I said, if you want to set up an optical darkroom and you have good access to film, paper and chemicals go for it. Nothing beats the thrill of looking at those negatives after development and inspecting a good print that is been developed in darkness.
Good luck to you!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I rigged a piece of Formica countertop minus the backsplash to a couple of heavy duty hinges over the back of the toilet. I had a couple of legs on the front that came down to the floor when the "shelf" was lowered and made a tabletop over the toilet. I could set the enlarger on that and it was a decent height for working. I also replaced the lavatory (wall hanging type with a cabinet type sink set in Formica which gave me an area around the sink for developing tanks and trays. It also gave me cabinet space under the sink for storage and I could use the toilet sink to set printing paper on. I put heavy black drapes over the outside of the door and also put rubber strips around the door to block any light leaks. NOTE: go into the room and turn off ALL of the lights for 10 minutes and then inspect for light leaks. Make a note (mentally) of where they are and then turn the lights on and figure out how to get rid of the leaks. Generally, if you are developing b&w film, you are using developing tanks and could, if necessary, use a changing sack to transfer film to the tank for processing but working in the open is easier. I finally graduated to a purpose built darkroom that I built in the garage (tied into the washer hookup for drainage and hot and cold water. It was easier in the long run because I was able to build it from the ground up and have real cabinets that didn't have to be "rearranged" if someone wanted to use the restroom as a restroom. Since this is a basement bathroom, in the future, you might want to consider doing that and just tying into the bathroom plumbing. I really miss working with film and chemicals to do my processing but it really gives me an appreciation of digital and Adobe Lightroom.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

You need an enlarger, 3 developing trays, thermometer, stirrers, tongs, film developing tank, amber light, measuring cylinders (4 or 5 sizes), storage bottles, paper (Ilfoord, Kodak, Arista), film clips, print dryer, rubber gloves, and an apron. Buy all the chemicals new.

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

Good for you...I miss my darkroom................NOT! Although I do miss the smell of developer and hypo. I would imagine darkroom equipment could be had for pennies now. I got most of my stuff from photogs that were getting out of it and donated most of my stuff to a college when I got out of it. Good luck and have fun. ;-) My dad had a darkroom in our basement in the 1950s that looked like something from a Harry Potter movie. I built one in my basement (about 10'x10') that was the "cat's meow" as they used to say.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

You might get a copy of the Kodak book "Building a Home Darkroom" https://www.amazon.com/Building-Home-Darkroom-Kodak-Workshop/dp/0879857463

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Add to that a paper safe (to store your paper), a decent timer (a used Gralab is ideal) and some ploycontrast filters for the enlarger (will allow you to use ploycontrast paper and stock one contrast grade instead of multiple paper grades) You might also get a 4th tray for washing with a Kodak auto siphon. The alternative is a real print washer if you have the room. A look at your local Craigslist or UHH (you already have one offer) may turn up aomeone who will sell you everything you need at an excellent price - I often see complete dark rooms for sale on my local Craigslist.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Awesome!

I also recently set one up.

One thing; you don't need running water. You can do it all in trays, no need for continuous water flow.

I'm not sure what you mean by "viewfinder." Do you mean the enlarger? If so, what brand and model is it?

You can get everything you need on Ebay for almost nothing and I'm sure that if you try, you can get folks to GIVE you darkroom gear. Most folks (notice the comments in this thread and others) don't see a need for darkroom printing anymore.

If you have any specific questions, just ask me in PM. I'd be glad to help.

In my short experience, the minimum you need to get the job done is:

1.) Enlarger. (You have one it seems)
2.) 3 trays for the chemicals. ($20.00 for a set of 3 8x10 size at Adorama)
3.) Photo Paper to print on (different sizes)
4.) A way to hold the paper down on the base, either an easel, or blu-tak sticky stuff or something. Ebay: Easel = $100.00-$400; blue-tak=Amazon $3.50.)
5.) Chemicals; developer, stop bath, fixer. (i use ilford brand)
6.) A larger tray for the water bath at the end. (walmart)
7.) A safelight. (Ebay; $10.00-$20.00)
8.) Some way to time your exposure; either a darkroom timer, metronome or something like that. (Ebay: $20.00-$50.00)
9.) Some way to see the grain focus accurately so that you can focus the enlarger, either a grain focuser or just a magnifying glass. (Ebay: $5.00-$150.00)
10.) Contrast filter set (I use Ilford) I got mine at B&H=$35.00 a set
11.) Tongs or some way to grab the prints out of the chemicals. Buy them at Adorama or Ebay for cheap.

You can get it done with just that stuff, I do it every day.


Here is a really good video showing you everything from start to finish. All the way from how to set up, how to print, and everything....I used it to familiarize myself with everything when I was starting out too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3el3Yp0VHE

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Enlarging easel $34.95
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00009USXT/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474149278&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=enlarging+easel&dpPl=1&dpID=41Gbd-dje9L&ref=plSrch

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

No...not at all. You can buy film everywhere; from WalMart to mail order. It's EASY to get.
Processing is cheap and you can do it yourself to save even more.

I process my B&W for about 5 cents per roll and my color for about 30 cents per roll.

I also send out color sometimes and it's $6.00 per roll INCLUDING a set of 4x6 real wet prints!



You should get out more. LOTS of folks shoot all kinds of stuff including slide film. :)




I couldn't agree more!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You're right, I wasn't thinking about the cheapies...they work just fine too.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but it's important to your health for your darkroom to have adequate ventilation. Fumes from photo chemicals are toxic. Often a ventilation system consists of a light-proof vent in the door (you can buy this or make one) and an exhaust fan thru an outdoor wall. You said there was no window, which would have made it easier, but I suggest that you think about how you will provide air flow as you consider all the other construction details. Good luck! >>>Alan

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

You have me looking at ebay for darkroom equipment again. I'd even settle for an Omega B22.
Still have 2 home-made sinks in the unfinished basement. There is no magic in digital that compares to watching that image appear in the tray.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Lol..you got that right. I just finished a few prints and it's just as amazing as the first time I saw it (which wasn't that long ago) :)