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 Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:19 pm
So, I'm thinking about getting a darkroom. Partly for the whole coolness factor involved, and partially so I can develop weird film sizes (120, 126, 127, for my Holga, Kodak Starmite Brownie, and Instamatic, respectively)... as well as so I can cross process and all that cool jazz.
But I'm on a budget. I don't have access to a school darkroom becuase I don't take photo class at my school (all of my electives for the next four years will be taken up by Graphic Design (which is a double-period the last two years) and Spanish). And so I have to build my own.
Doing the math, I figure that it would cost me about $100 for a full on black and white only (no color) darkroom, bargain style (and including chemicals).
Omitting the darkROOM and going with just a changing bag lowers the cost to about $80, once again including chemicals, and once again B/W only. But I'm not sure how I would do using a changing bag, considering you sort of can't see anything... (unlike a darkroom, where you at least have a dim safelight).
Any suggestions as to lowering the price further and/or details as to the practicability of changing bags would be appreciated.
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:11 pm
Erm... You don't use a darkroom to develop film. =] A darkroom has a safelight, which only allows you to see light-sensitive photo paper. Film, on the other hand, rather than taking several seconds to properly expose like photo paper does takes only a fraction of a second, hence even the safelight will quickly expose it. If you're going for an actual darkroom, you'll need such equipment as the safelight, an enlarger, a timer, an easel, a grain focus, trays for the chemicals, developer, stop bath, fixer... Uh, dunno what else!
In other words, if all you're wanting to do is develop film, you don't need a darkroom. You're just as good as doing it in your bathroom by switching the light off, tossing a rag at the bottom of the door where the light leaks in, and loading your film in pitch blackness. With that in mind, all you really need to buy is the film loading equipment (container, central rod, couple dry reels, funnel, and cap) and the chemicals (developer and fixer).
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 3:54 pm
Pft.
Shows how much I know.
And I forgot to state this - but all I want to do is develop negs. The prices listed were calculated for that.
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 11:41 am
Okay there's a few things you need to develop negatives.
1) Developer tank to store developer
2) Fixer tank to store fixer
3) Film developing canister & accessories
4) A 100% pitch black room with no light leaks or film loading bag
5) Bottle opener
6) Scissors
7) Sink
cool Thermometer
For cutting prices... you don't really need a bag if you've got a good film loading closet/room. You don't need stop bath either. And now that I think about it, assuming I recall correctly, I remember seeing something about little film developing stations or something that are nice and small without the large-scale system we have at my class.
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 1:55 am
Are you planning to do a lot of work in 35mm?
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 4:12 pm
Actually, no. I was going to leave 35mm to the pro labs.
The main reason I wanted a darkroom was for the obscure formats like 120, 126, 127, and 620.
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:32 pm
Oh, I see. I was going to suggest buying film in bulk. That can save a lot of money for someone who shoots a lot of film.
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 4:31 pm
Yeah, I've heard about that. I might try it sometime.
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