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Photo Forum / Film Photography / Darkroom / March 2005New Darkroom
After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new one in the basement. I've done mainly 35 mm in the past, but I'm planning do a lot of medium format with the new setup. Here's a pic, comments welcomed: http://www.pbase.com/riceowl/image/40862333/medium > After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new one > in the basement. I've done mainly 35 mm in the past, but I'm planning do [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > http://www.pbase.com/riceowl/image/40862333/medium I would have used flat black tiling and/or paint to cut down on light reflectivity. But a nice little space. May not want to over-sensitize the Gralab prior to processing film. Possibly could add some fog. : > After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new one : > in the basement. I've done mainly 35 mm in the past, but I'm planning do [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] : prior to processing film. Possibly could add some : fog. The room can be made completely light tight (it's in a basement with no windows), so the white ceiling is no problem for film loading and it's a help when working under safelights. > : > After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new > one [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > windows), so the white ceiling is no problem for film loading and it's a > help when working under safelights. I was referring to the white sink tiling and when you're processing film. The phosphorescence of a traditional Gralab timer can be quite bright in a small space. : > : > After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new : > one [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] : processing film. The phosphorescence of a traditional : Gralab timer can be quite bright in a small space. I hadn't thought about that. I usually load the film with my back to the timer which gives some shielding, but maybe I'll run a test and load one roll with the timer hidden in a cabinet and one with it on the shelf. Then I'll compare the density of the film base + fog. > : > : > After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a > new [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > roll with the timer hidden in a cabinet and one with it on the shelf. > Then I'll compare the density of the film base + fog. My habit is to keep the timer covered when the room lights are on; then when ready to process switch on the lights just briefly (2-3 sec.) to make it visible enough to see, but no more. It depends on how close the film is to the timer, whether you process sheet film in open trays, etc. But if the timer dial is glaringly bright with your all-white reflective surfaces, you could add significant fog... On 3/21/2005 12:17 PM Tom Phillips spake thus: >> : I was referring to the white sink tiling and when you're >> : processing film. The phosphorescence of a traditional [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > bright with your all-white reflective surfaces, you could > add significant fog... Hell, I just throw my black changing bag over the damn timer (mine's a Beseler w/phospohrescent panel). Nary a problem.  Signature"I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon." - Former President Gerald Ford to his golf partners, as related by the late Hunter S. Thompson > I hadn't thought about that. I usually load the film with my back to the > timer which gives some shielding, but maybe I'll run a test and load one > roll with the timer hidden in a cabinet and one with it on the shelf. > Then I'll compare the density of the film base + fog. I have a digital Gralab for process controls, used to be my enlarger timer until I got an all in one timer and analyzer. The Gralab allows you to dim the LED completely black for a glow in the darktype you could cover it when needed with a large black cloth or even a photo paper's vinyl bag. SignatureLF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918 >I hadn't thought about that. I usually load the film with my back to the >timer which gives some shielding, but maybe I'll run a test and load one >roll with the timer hidden in a cabinet and one with it on the shelf. >Then I'll compare the density of the film base + fog. An easy way to test for that would be to take a roll of film, pull out the first few frames, and leave it on the counter, for - say 5 mins, then pull out a few more, also for 5 mins, etc until you have the whole roll out of the cannister, then develop, and see if you can see a difference between one end of the film and the other - if there is a difference, then you will be able to figure out about how much time it takes to fog the film by looking how long down the roll the change becomes apparant. > After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new one > in the basement. I've done mainly 35 mm in the past, but I'm planning do [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > http://www.pbase.com/riceowl/image/40862333/medium Nice clean working area. SignatureLF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918 >After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new one >in the basement. I've done mainly 35 mm in the past, but I'm planning do [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >http://www.pbase.com/riceowl/image/40862333/medium Nice but needs a bigger enlarger. Regards, John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org Please remove the "_" when replying via email Think it looks great. The sink looks great.. Is that, cough, a marble edge? :) Or steel? Think it looks great. The sink looks great.. Is that, cough, a marble edge? :) Or steel? : Think it looks great. The sink looks great.. Is that, cough, a marble : edge? :) : Or steel? It's zone VI Formica. You make me jealous. I am glad to see you used light paint. Since the light energy can be no more than the lamp output, fog is no greater risk than whatever you put on the bench under the lamp. Plus, you can see what you are doing. A simple addition would be to put a small 45w halogen desklamp by the enlarger so you can check negs easily. The addition I would highly suggest is to arrange things so to allow use of a swivel chair on wheels (office chair). In my watch shop I have used a set up for years that allows me to quickly go from my assembly bench, to the small lathe (for turning balance staffs and such) and to my polishing/riveting bench all by a single scoot and swivel. Kind of like a well designed kitchen. I used the same swivel chair concept in my darkroom. It is also on a concrete floor. *Sitting* at the enlarger is much more pleasant than standing on concrete and/or stooping to check the focus. My knees don't ache and I can work there for 4 or 5 hours with pleasure. I also think it is easier to focus while viewing the grain focuser because you are in a more relaxed position. I don't have a tray sink; I use larger trays as "catch trays" for my solution trays. So, everything is at the same level for sitting and I just scoot from one station to the other. Paper is on the shelf behind the enlarger station; one swivel away. I did run hose from the shop sink in so I could hook my up my washer. FWIW, in the basement you have NO vibration concerns. In fact, my Beseler 45 sits on a 3X8 folding table. I use a foot switch and there is nothing to vibrate the enlarger. I always wondered about these guys who run braces between the wall and the enlarger. I have been in many buildings where doors and music send vibrations through walls much more readily than through floors. Instead of increasing the couple, you want to isolate the things you don't want vibrating. Of course, this does not matter where earthquake codes apply. SignatureRegards, Dewey Clark http://www.historictimekeepers.com Restorations, Parts for Hamilton M21s, Products for Craftsmen Makers of Historic Timekeepers Ultrasonic Clock Cleaning Solution > After ten years without a darkroom, I just finished setting up a new one > in the basement. I've done mainly 35 mm in the past, but I'm planning do [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > http://www.pbase.com/riceowl/image/40862333/medium > A simple addition would be to put a small 45w halogen desklamp by the > enlarger so you can check negs easily. Also nice is to build a small light-box into the countertop: white plex set into the counter, light bulb in a box beneath. Make it 8x10 and attach a timer and use it for flashing and contacting. Someone famous did this with both red and white bulbs in the box. > *Sitting* at the enlarger is much more pleasant than > standing Only way to go. If the enlarger bench is dropped to be convenient for sitting then you also have more headspace for XL columns. Follow the suggestions in this group and that darkroom will _never_ get finished: which is about par for most darkrooms, as soon as it is finished you sell the house. > FWIW, in the basement you have NO vibration concerns. If semi-trailers go by on the street the ground will shake; it's the ground shaking that shakes the house. Guess who worked in a basement darkroom 20 feet from the federal highway. SignatureNicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. To reply, remove spaces: n o lindan at ix . netcom . com psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/ : > A simple addition would be to put a small 45w halogen desklamp by the : > enlarger so you can check negs easily. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] : and attach a timer and use it for flashing and contacting. Someone : famous did this with both red and white bulbs in the box. Actually, I have a light box on the work table on the side opposite the enlarger. That's where I sort through the negs. > vibrate the enlarger. I always wondered about these guys who run braces > between the wall and the enlarger. I have been in many buildings where > doors and music send vibrations through walls much more readily than through > floors. I'm sure it depends on the building. In my house, when someone walks across the floors, they bounce. The walls, however, rest on beams that rest on piers, making them much more solid than the floors. When I build my darkroom (getting closer now, the bedrooms are nearly finished), I'm going re-frame the floor in that area. Bob I think here I would look at isolating the enlarger from the floor first. Since the walls conduct less vibration, I would try making a bench/shelf that is anchored only to the wall for the enlarger. You could run diagonals 2X4s from the outer edge of the bench down to the wall near the floor. It might be easier than trying to dampen vibrations from other parts of the house that are traveling through your joists. SignatureRegards, Dewey Clark http://www.historictimekeepers.com Restorations, Parts for Hamilton M21s, Products for Craftsmen Makers of Historic Timekeepers Ultrasonic Clock Cleaning Solution >> vibrate the enlarger. I always wondered about these guys who run braces >> between the wall and the enlarger. I have been in many buildings where [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Bob > I think here I would look at isolating the enlarger from the floor first. > Since the walls conduct less vibration, I would try making a bench/shelf [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > It might be easier than trying to dampen vibrations from other parts of the > house that are traveling through your joists. Maybe, but the floor slopes and it's underbuilt (used to be a porch at one point). Taking it out and building a new solid one will be a good thing. The existing joists are 2x6 oak, 24" OC, with a 16' span (that's really bad...) Bob Very nice looking, but I would want the dry side farther from the wet side--but then I'm messy and splashy. Mine are in seperate rooms! : Very nice looking, but I would want the dry side farther from the wet : side--but then I'm messy and splashy. Mine are in seperate rooms! That would have been ideal, but the size of the available space pretty much dictated this design. > : Very nice looking, but I would want the dry side farther from the wet > : side--but then I'm messy and splashy. Mine are in seperate rooms! > > That would have been ideal, but the size of the available space pretty > much dictated this design. I figured as much, from the picture. You gotta do what you gotta do! I've had full darkrooms in a small bathroom. I'm lucky now to have half my second floor as a darkroom, though it is a very long walk from enlarger to the trays... |
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