Darkroom for Dummies Need Help in Setting Up a Darkroom and Supplies that Will be Needed and where to buy?
I am an amateur at the Nikon cameras. I have taken pictures for a long time, but now have a good professional camera. I want to develop my film at home. How does one go about setting up a dark room, what supplies are needed, where can you buy them, and how much of a price tag am I looking at? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
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Posted: April 2nd, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Tags: Darkroom Supplies, Nikon Cameras, Setting Up A Darkroom
Comments
Comment from Kahless
Time April 7, 2009 at 11:19 am
If you are into traditional black & white photography, a good supplier to check is freestylephoto.biz. I used their film & supplies when I used to teach photography. You are looking at anywhere from $500 to $1000 to equip a black and white darkroom. You’ll need an enlarger, enlarger timer, trays, chemicals etc.
Comment from fhotoace
Time April 9, 2009 at 4:41 am
Before you spend money on things you don’t need and miss buying those you really need, take a class in photography at your local community college. You will not only see what equipment is essential, but what you will not need. You will also learn the skill necessary to successfully produce high quality prints. Perhaps the most important skill is how to compose and develop your film, so that you never have to “save” any images in the darkroom
Comment from electrosmack1
Time April 12, 2009 at 3:55 pm
What are you shooting with? Black and white? Color? Slide? Large format?
Anyway, you will need a light tight room, preferably free of dust. Most people find the bathroom to be the best.
After that, you need chemicals. Developer(depending on either black and white or color), fixer, and photo flow. These should be for film, not paper. Except for photo flow, the developer and fixer come in powder form, so do not breath it in. Also, do not poor down the drain. Collect the used developer in a bucket. The fixer can be reused, but once it starts to change a different color, after too many uses, or too long sitting, get rid of it. If you are printing the film as well, you’ll need more chemicals for paper, and serveral trays.
If you are printing the film yourself, you will also need an enlarger. This will cost around $500, but the better they are, the more expensive they will be. I always use a condenser enlarger. The type of lens it comes with will determine how much it is as well. If you’re buying the enlarger used, make sure it has a lens, bulb, and make sure it is not scratched or broken.
If you are printing the film, you’ll also need a amber brown light. DO NOT just go to the store and buy a red light. This will not work. A very cheap brand at Ritz Camera costs about $50. A professional light will be around $1,000 or more.
For the film, you’ll need a chemical canister and film clips.
For just developing the film, the price would be around $15. If you are printing the film as well, you’ll be looking more around $1,000-$3,000.
One note: I mentioned color photography. This will require temperture gauges. Color film REQUIRES a constant temperture. For film, try to stay away from C-41 process, because they do not have the best results, and have more dangerous chemicals. All chemicals whether for black and white photography are dangerous, and can kill you. So do not swallow, or get in your eyes.
Comment from antoni
Time April 5, 2009 at 3:47 am
ok goto a “pro” shop and ask them, they will know prices and everything else you need to know
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