Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

I've read stories that there is a 'resurgence' in darkroom among the younger enthusiasts. Having darkroom hardware in good or better condition might be worth some money if you find the correct group of potential buyers. Try internet searching for users or groups within your state, if not city.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

When we moved to our new home last summer, I bit the bullet and got rid of my darkroom (color). I tried to five away my enlarger (Beseler Dichro 67, Halogen head) and everything else that went with it. No one wanted it. Not a school, not a photo enthusiast, not any of the local camera stores. Even offered to deliver it toa good home and all for free. Not even a nibble.
I could have put it into my my new home but then I could not find a convenient camera store that carried color chemistry. Shipping costs were way high so I finally brought everything to the curb with a Take It sign but no one did. Eventually the garbage hauler picked it up and that was the end of my dark room.
Luckily I do have a scanner so my books of B&W and color negatives along with my boxes of Ektachrome slides will not go to waste. Kinda sad but sometimes you just have to accept things change and so must we.

dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

My wife and I are in the process of cleaning up a home/ legal newspaper business. The gentleman that ran it passed away last year. I brought all of his darkroom and his " Copy camera" and film home. The film was labeled " open only under red light" , So I placed it inside large dark trash bags and sealed them. I want to learn how to develop film, but they no longer teach that at the community college. So what to do?

MJPerini

My situation is similar to yours, I have the Hasselblads, Sinars ,Deardorff's (5x7, 8x10, & 11x14) Zone VI 4x5, and lots of other film cameras. I have a large darkroom, 3 sinks 2 enlargers and even Jobo rotary processors.
I haven't made a print there in 10 years, as I shoot Digital and have another room with Computers and the Latest Epson Sure Color P5000. I use that room quite often.
I should get rid of the darkroom, I keep saying I'll shoot some large format Film and develop it and scan it for a hybrid workflow. I haven't done that either.
It is irrational to keep it, but so far I have. I should force myself to go shoot some film just so I'll remember how much work it is. I haven't done that either.
We should both let go, but........

rdw845 Loc: San Francisco Area

I could have written that message myself. In fact I live very close to Burlingame. I am reluctant to throw photo equipment out. Good luck to Bob Neger in Burlingame. I have planned to hang onto my equipment.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I spent many years in my darkrooms and color lab. I closed those facilities in my studio when the demand shifted to digital media, especially in the commercial photography world. I hate to brag but I forgot all the many of the techniques, chemistries, and materials of the traditional production darkroom that most folks haven't learned as yet. Sorry about that- end of bragging!

I know about all the opinions that traditional silver prints can not be matched in their "look" or quality, however, I have spent a lot of time and expense to bring my digital products up to some of the older standards. In the end, it's not rocket science, it's the same as far as aesthetic control techniques and if you know how to turn out a good print on an enlarger, you can do as well on a computer with the right software and a good printer.

So... only YOU can decide if you want to reenter the darkroom. For a few moments put aside all the myths, folklore, and nostalgia, and the "mystique" of watching in image materialize in the tray and the smell of Dektol and Hypo (ugh) nostalgia. Put aside marital issues- if your wife put up with your photographic endeavors for 50 years I'm sure she is a nice loving lady and will tolerate you for a few more decades. Consider this:

Many of the materials are no longer being manufactured and may be difficult to come by. If you are a real "lab-rat" like I was, you can go to places like the Formulary and mix your own soup! They still have warm -tone developers, pyro developers non-acid fixers, toners, reducers intensifiers, and other old-time goodies.

What I can suggest is simply to set up your gear, dig into your archive of old negatives or shoot some new ones and try your hand at making a few nice prints and see if the bug bites you and you become "reinfected". If not, find a good home for your old gear (as Architect suggested) and fire up your computer!

Nobody can really tell you what to do. I am 76 years old and still running a full-time photography business. My wife thinks I belong in a "lunatic asylum" because I won't retire but nonetheless she still helps me manage the office. It keeps us happy and healthy!

Stay home, healthy, and well!

Camera buyer Loc: Las Vegas

I used to develop roll film in my parent's bathroom, then when I had my own home, built a darkroom in the basement. I then had all of my film processed by a lab. I started using digital many years ago after purchasing an Agfa B&W digital. I then had my prints scanned and used Version 1 of Photoshop. The flexibility of digital is marvelous. Give the room back to your wife and explore the marvels of digital.

(Download)

coyotecall Loc: New Mexico

In the end you will get as many votes "for" as you will "against" from ALL the photographers hanging around here*.....and, in the end, it will be up to you.
*Actually, I think the "dumpers" will outnumber the "keepers".
Give your wife of 50 years a gift......the space. And make some space for yourself in the digital world. We ALL have regrets about letting stuff go.....but let that go too. As we age letting go is a big part of it, there's a lot more breathing space when the clutter of nostalgia is gone.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Do what you want. No need to copy what anyone here says.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

Give it up. It's "horse & buggy".

Jeffers

We purposely built a huge fourth bedroom into our house that I anticipated using for a large scale model railroad. I lost interest in the railroad after we moved in and that big room sat mostly unused. About four years ago my wife got into painting and crafts. She asked for the room. it wasn't fun dismantling what train layout I had, but it turns out she uses every inch of that huge room.
Moral: Happy spouse, happy house.

coyotecall Loc: New Mexico

You get an "UP-VOTE" for that one!

rochephoto

what's a darkroom??????

coyotecall Loc: New Mexico

It's a room widout Delight.

rochephoto

Tell me about it! I spent enough years in and around them. People ask me if I miss film. My is NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!!!!!!!