[jinxy]

I have decided to set up a dark room at home. now i need some help as i am wanting to start off with some good second hand exuipment ( just to play around with) and build up from there. i am wondering if any one can help me on where i can find what i am looking for.

[Dabhand16]

Check out the sales and wants, there was a complete darkroom going very recently.

Depending on how much space you have, it is a good idea to have a 'wet side' and a 'dry side'. Makes it a bit easier to work when you can confidently put something down knowing it is not going to get wet. Also it keeps any electrics away from developer and fixer dishes.

Enjoy.

[Dave]

Might have cost a bit to ship to Oz though

Have you got any local Photography Clubs, as there shoudl be a few people there with darkrooms & I'm sure they have the upgrade bug

[Dabhand16]

I joined a camera club mainly to get access to a darkroom. It was pukka - much better kit than I would have got, and plenty of room too.

[jinxy]

thankyou for your advice it is very helpful. and i will definently look into any camera clubs it might give me a better idea of the set up i am after

[Gary Bagshawe]

Hi there, Just thought I might stick my nose in and try to help, You can find a lot of the equipment that you will need for sale at very reasonable prices on e-bay.
there are the obvious things that you will require but also a few items that will simply make your life easier and stop you inventing new swear words!!!
enlarger, safelights, developer, stop bath and fixer (dev for films and paper) developing trays for aforementioned chemicals. tongues, film developing tank, (oh the joys of loading that first film onto the spiral in the pitch dark) contact printer, squeegee thingy, paper, multi grade filters, string and pegs, timer of some sort, as some people have already mentioned it is better to have a dry bench and a wet bench but not essential (depends how clumsy you are)
Not an exhaustive list but you can find all theses items used on e-bay or in adds in local papers etc.
If you want any more pointers or are not sure what any of the above items are then just ask, im sure the people on here will be more than happy to help.
Cheers

[Dabhand16]

I used to load film into the developing tank spiral in a changing bag. It meant I could do it outside the darkroom. I never found a bag big enough to take anything other than a 'one film' tank, though. The ones with large spirals to take 2/3/4 films were too long.

I always thought it might make a good task to put into 'the Generation Game'!!

[jinxy]

thankyou for the list of things i will need gary, it has helped alot you would be suprised the things you would forget and also thankyou for the idea of the changing bag Dabhand16 i am definently going to invest in one of those. it may take a while to set it all up but now i am on my way there thankyou again

[Dave]

Oh I do miss fumbling about in the understairs cupboard, loading that darn film

[sejanus]

I'll have a darkroom again at the end of October, jinxy, it's going to be a three foot area at the end of my workroom. I've found myself a very nice Phillips enlarger, (great for multigrade once you find the conversion chart), Rodagon lenses, a Nova 16x12 processor and a Durst LED safelight. The whole lot cost about the same as a decent camera with careful shopping around. It's great having lots of space to work in but you can do a lot in very little if you have to. I used to have a black plastic tent 4 foot square that contained a 5x4 enlarger! Good advice from Dave and Dabhand about joining a club. You'll find out a lot about darkroom design from working in a shared area.

[jinxy]

hi sejanus, just thought i will take this opportunity to reply to you and kind of let everyone know how my dark room is going. well firstly, i have been tracking down the club idea that was suggested and i am afraid to say i have had no luck as yet, but i will keep searching. turns out that many of the small dark rooms that people have been able to use are being shut down. which is a shame.
any way out the back yard i have a good size shed that has some storage space already in there and i am currently working on taking measurements for benches to be put in. been working on filling in the small amounts of light that has been sneaking in. i am taking my time setting it up but every one has given great advice and i think i am on the right track. i have been searching ebay keeping track of the final winning bids to try and get it right.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by jinxy

turns out that many of the small dark rooms that people have been able to use are being shut down. which is a shame.

Hi Jinxy, your right it is a bit of a shame isn't it. On the plus side it could mean an oppertunity for you to get some equipment if you could get in touch with the owners, it could be that most of it will be kept by the owners, but you might get lucky!.

[lolyton]

Just a quick pointer on darkrooms especially if you are going to wet ray process the prints.......Ensure you have good ventilation as when the chemicals crystalise they give off toxic fumes which can be harmful to health when you breathe them in. Also it helps to mop up a lot this way the chemicals will not crystalise!