FINALLY got the darkroom up and running again..

[Xia_Ke]

After much delay (partly due to my own slacking :blush2: ) I finally ab;e to start printing again. Didn't do anything serious today, was just having some fun. I had almost forgotten how friggin much selenium toner stinks!!!:cryin: Oh yeah, and need to remember to dust negatives before printing

[brmill26]

Congrats Aaron, those look great.

[Old Timer]

Dusty negs are a real pain. Many times I wouldn't notice it till the print was dry. I had one teacher who was a real stickler about dust. I spent a lot of time retouching for his class. Oh I really like that self portrait as well.

[mtbbrian]

Show us what the new darkroom looks like!
:thumbsup:
Brian

[Xia_Ke]

Thanks guys It's good to be back up and running finally. I was missing the smell of fixer...LOL Let me tell you though, I had forgotten how bad selenium WREAKS!!! :yikes:

Dusty negs are a real pain. Many times I wouldn't notice it till the print was dry. I had one teacher who was a real stickler about dust. I spent a lot of time retouching for his class. Oh I really like that self portrait as well.

I usually don't have much of a problem with it. Just was spacing it on the water pitcher shot though and of course it was the one with the most black I'll be ordering some retouching supplies soon and that print will make for great practice.

Show us what the new darkroom looks like!
:thumbsup:
Brian

Well Brian, it ain't pretty! This is one of two unfinished rooms left in the house and my housemate was nice enough to let me do with it as will. Still working on the floor, which is fine, it's actually very comfortable for me. The tray in the sink is my washer. Unfortunately I can't hook it up in that room so I use the downstairs bathroom. The sink in the darkroom though is good washing trays and mixing chemicals though. I keep the red bucket full of water to hold prints until I'm done and then bring them down to the washer. Will need to get a larger bucket soon though as I want to start printing bigger. Still drying the same as before by stretching a roll of fiberglass screen over the tub. It's not much but, what do you think?

[cameron665]

Great work Aaron. You are doing better than me. I sold all my darkroom stuff thinking I would never use it again. Had a change of mind, and now after slowly building up my equipment again I intend to build a darkroom in the backyard. Hopefully early next year I will pour the slab and get started on it.

[mtbbrian]

Not bad! Beats the alternative!
I can't wait to see how it evolves.
:thumbsup"
Brian

[Xia_Ke]

Thanks guys

Cameron, I wish I had a place where I could build one. Keep me posted on how your's progresses, would love to see pics. Do you have a blueprint/floorplan done up yet?

Brian, it's evolving a little bit already. Just picked up a Zone VI compensating timer with foot pedal. Next up is a densitometer

[cameron665]

Aaron, I haven't worked out the exact layout yet but it will be 2.4m x 3.6m.

[danaart]

Congrats Aaron. I hope I can come to you for advice in the spring. I am setting up a studio above my shop and plan on putting a b&w photo dark room/ screen print darkroom/ bathroom. I have been rounding up the equipment and now have most of it. I have the beseler 23c, (Creigs list) $20.00 with a timer,lots of 35mm neg reels, 2 and 8 reel light safe neg developing tanks,3 11X14 pans and other misc bottles pans etc. All for $20.00.
I am taking a photography course ( New York Institute) and caught the film bug. I want to try it while it is still available.

[Xia_Ke]

Sounds like you got some GREAT deals! Did your enlarger come with any lenses or neg holders? Sounds like all you really need is a safe light, print easel, and a print washer. Oh and you'll also want a grain focuser. Have you given any thought as to what you plan to use for paper and chemicals? I'll be happy to help in any way that I can.

[danaart]

It came with 2 easels, one a 50mm lens, and a combo easel, and an adjustable easel. I got a grain focuser, and neg holder from ebay. I do need to think about what paper to use, and chemicals. i also need to get a safe light, I have been out bid on that a few times. I have the chemicals for the negatives. I won't be up and runing till late spring, but I do plan on doing some negative developing soon.

[Xia_Ke]

How big of a space will you be printing in? I just use a Premier 5x7 safelight and it is sufficient for my space. Paper, film and chemical choices with come down to your personal preference. For film, do you want fine grain, high accutance, etc, etc. For prints do you want warm, neutral, or cold tones? There is quite a wide range of options. When you start though, I would pick one combination and stick with it for a while. HOw are you enjoying the film course so far? Are you taking it there or is it a correspondence/internet course?

[danaart]

I just bought a 5 1/2" safe light (ebay) a Kodak and a development time meter. I hadn't planned on getting the time meter but with shipping each were under 18.00. The area will be around 6X8 total. I will start a post and show all my stuff when I have time. Then I can start to gather more insight into how to set up a good dark room. I have a guide by Kodak and suggestions from the course.
The course is a correspondence course. I like it for the most part but it seems a little out dated. I took it to get the basics and as I am working on a degree in graphic art, I thought it wound be good to have a certificate in photography as an addition the the graphic art degree.

[Xia_Ke]

...I like it for the most part but it seems a little out dated....

The principles havent change since LONG before my time. Things might have gotten a little easier with digital timers and other modern improvements but, other than that it's all the same. I will be looking forward to seeing some shots of your space and the darkroom as it progresses :thumbsup:

[fabio]

just got back into it. My gf and I went on a vacation, she took along my old film camera. It's been about a month since we got back before I decided to setup my darkroom and develop the film. Note, that xtol still works after 4 yrs if unmixed. What I do is only mix half the packet and make 2.5L instead.

[lionman]

wow amazing i have always wanted to have my own dark room but never knew how to plus to be honest i would probally blow something up i am terrible with chemic
les i passed my science though that and i am not born in the generation or film i was brought up in the era of digital so yeah anyway awsome developments for the photoes i love the look of an old photo and the grainy texture cant make that and love the dark room very artistic the way it is all put together

[Xia_Ke]

just got back into it. My gf and I went on a vacation, she took along my old film camera. It's been about a month since we got back before I decided to setup my darkroom and develop the film. Note, that xtol still works after 4 yrs if unmixed. What I do is only mix half the packet and make 2.5L instead.

Sounds good fabio! Would love to see some pics if you have scans to share :thumbsup:

wow amazing i have always wanted to have my own dark room but never knew how to plus to be honest i would probally blow something up i am terrible with chemic
les i passed my science though that and i am not born in the generation or film i was brought up in the era of digital so yeah anyway awsome developments for the photoes i love the look of an old photo and the grainy texture cant make that and love the dark room very artistic the way it is all put together

Hi lionman, welcome to PR

Trust me, it's not as hard as it looks to get good results. Getting great results? Well, thats another story, I'll let you know if I ever figure it out...lol Honestly, I liken this to a Toll House cookie recipe. If you can make some cookies, you can develop film and make prints. All the chemicals are is x parts chemical combined with y parts water. Take a temp reading, and adjust times accordingly. The hardest part of it all is lightproofing. You should give it a try

[fabio]

Sounds good fabio! Would love to see some pics if you have scans to share :thumbsup:



Hi lionman, welcome to PR

Trust me, it's not as hard as it looks to get good results. Getting great results? Well, thats another story, I'll let you know if I ever figure it out...lol Honestly, I liken this to a Toll House cookie recipe. If you can make some cookies, you can develop film and make prints. All the chemicals are is x parts chemical combined with y parts water. Take a temp reading, and adjust times accordingly. The hardest part of it all is lightproofing. You should give it a try

no scans, but as far as lightproofing. I just use my restroom. Tape up the window and door with thick garbage bags. Just taught my gf and really enjoyed it. She does the paper and projector, I just dip the pic in the chemicals. It's cool when the image comes when it's dipped in the developer. We call it magic.