Darkroom Setup
by Rick Paul
I started developing my own film in the 1970’s. A next door neighbor gave me his old enlarger from the 1940’s, and that gave me my first start at printing. I wish I had pictures to show you of that enlarger! It was a metal beast!
It
wasn’t until recently that I had the space and the will to starting
developing my own film again! While I don’t have a true darkroom, I have
set up a space that is working pretty well for me.
• FA-1027 (Photographers Forumlary: http://stores.photoformulary.com/fa-1027-film-developer/)
• Tetenal Ultrafin Plus (Freestyle: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/131104-Tetenal-Ultrafin-Plus-Film-Developer-1-Liter)
• Rodinal (Compard R09 from Freestyle: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/9724-Compard-R09-One-Shot-Agfa-Rodinal-Formula-Film-Developer-120ml)
The FA-1027 is my favorite for traditional films (Tri-X, HP5). I generally use the Tetenal for T-grain films (Kodak TMAX, Fuji Neopan Acros, and Ilford Delta). I use the Rodinal when the whim strikes!
At first, I used a hybrid work flow, by scanning my negatives with a Nikon Coolscan V. While this worked at first, my ultimate goal was to start creating my own silver prints.
I started researching enlargers, looking at both new and used. Not satisfied with what I was seeing in the used market, I decided on going with a model I could grow with, and could handle just about anything I would want to do in 35mm or 120.
In
2012 I purchased a new Beseler 23CIII XL VC Variable Contrast Enlarger
from Freestyle. I actually drove to the Freestyle warehouse to pick it
up! They were very nice, were expecting me and had it already to go!
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/8019-Beseler-23CIII-XL-VC-Variable-Contrast-Enlarger
The 23ciii is available with three options for the print head. Color, Condenser, or Variable Contrast. I went with the variable contrast, which has built in filters for contrast grade 0 thru 5 and are calibrated for various brands of variable contrast papers.
The heart of my Beseler enlarger is a Nikon (of course!) EL-Nikkor f/2.8 enlarger lens. I found it on eBay for a great price. It appeared brand new and never used. It’s a great lens, and I couldn’t ask for anything sharper! I generally use it at f/8.
My darkroom is in my garage. At present, this only allows me to print at night. However, the garage is pretty dark in the daytime, and with a little work, I think I can make it light tight in the daytime.
I also researched work surfaces. While I considered dedicated dark room solutions, I went for a custom built table instead. This table was built for me by RDM Industrial Products in California.
http://www.rdm-ind.com
They were very helpful and understood exactly what I needed. They were actually very familiar with darkroom applications and have built darkroom workstations for institutions in the past. For my table, they built it to my dimensions (to handle the enlarger, and three 16x20 trays), and they also built it to be a comfortable working height for my height. They offer a range of table surface materials, and we decided on the chemical resistant top for my application. This has made darkroom chemical clean up a breeze!
While this custom made table may not be for everyone, it was definitely the right decision for me. Not only was the table make my exact specifications, it’s also rock-solid. No movement or vibration at all!
While my darkroom work surface itself is “dry” (no running water), I have a larger laundry room sink close by to get to water for rinsing the prints.
For chemicals, my primary print develop of choice is BW-65 from Photographer’s Formulary:
http://stores.photoformulary.com/bw-65-liquid-paper-developer/
This developer is a Phenidone and glycin-based paper developer that produces rich blacks. BW-65 produces results similar to Amidol, but is much safer to use than Amidol.
Among
other accessories I’ve picked up for the darkroom, include a darkroom
timer. I found on eBay a decent, working Gra-lab timer. I like this
style of timer, because it’s large, and easy to see. Very straight
forward design.
I also recently picked up a Bestwell Grain Focusing scope. This allows you to precisely focus your image on the paper. If you haven’t tried one of these, you need to get one! You’ll wonder how you every got a sharp, focused print without it!
If you have any questions about my darkroom, or developing techniques, please feel free to contact me!
Rick’s e-mail:
shadowsphoto@mac.com
Visit Rick’s website: www.saguaroshadowsphoto.com
Hear Rick chat about recommended Darkroom books on Epiosde 101 of The Film Photography Podcast! http://filmphotographyproject.com/podcast
by Rick Paul
I started developing my own film in the 1970’s. A next door neighbor gave me his old enlarger from the 1940’s, and that gave me my first start at printing. I wish I had pictures to show you of that enlarger! It was a metal beast!
above: Rick's Patterson Tanks
I
started with just film developing with Patterson tanks. I have two,
with the larger one allowing me to develop three rolls at once, or
medium format film. I have tried many combinations of film and
developers. I’ve settled on three main film developers, and I choose
them based on the film I’m developing at the time. My favorites are:• FA-1027 (Photographers Forumlary: http://stores.photoformulary.com/fa-1027-film-developer/)
• Tetenal Ultrafin Plus (Freestyle: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/131104-Tetenal-Ultrafin-Plus-Film-Developer-1-Liter)
• Rodinal (Compard R09 from Freestyle: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/9724-Compard-R09-One-Shot-Agfa-Rodinal-Formula-Film-Developer-120ml)
The FA-1027 is my favorite for traditional films (Tri-X, HP5). I generally use the Tetenal for T-grain films (Kodak TMAX, Fuji Neopan Acros, and Ilford Delta). I use the Rodinal when the whim strikes!
At first, I used a hybrid work flow, by scanning my negatives with a Nikon Coolscan V. While this worked at first, my ultimate goal was to start creating my own silver prints.
I started researching enlargers, looking at both new and used. Not satisfied with what I was seeing in the used market, I decided on going with a model I could grow with, and could handle just about anything I would want to do in 35mm or 120.
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/8019-Beseler-23CIII-XL-VC-Variable-Contrast-Enlarger
The 23ciii is available with three options for the print head. Color, Condenser, or Variable Contrast. I went with the variable contrast, which has built in filters for contrast grade 0 thru 5 and are calibrated for various brands of variable contrast papers.
The heart of my Beseler enlarger is a Nikon (of course!) EL-Nikkor f/2.8 enlarger lens. I found it on eBay for a great price. It appeared brand new and never used. It’s a great lens, and I couldn’t ask for anything sharper! I generally use it at f/8.
My darkroom is in my garage. At present, this only allows me to print at night. However, the garage is pretty dark in the daytime, and with a little work, I think I can make it light tight in the daytime.
I also researched work surfaces. While I considered dedicated dark room solutions, I went for a custom built table instead. This table was built for me by RDM Industrial Products in California.
http://www.rdm-ind.com
They were very helpful and understood exactly what I needed. They were actually very familiar with darkroom applications and have built darkroom workstations for institutions in the past. For my table, they built it to my dimensions (to handle the enlarger, and three 16x20 trays), and they also built it to be a comfortable working height for my height. They offer a range of table surface materials, and we decided on the chemical resistant top for my application. This has made darkroom chemical clean up a breeze!
While this custom made table may not be for everyone, it was definitely the right decision for me. Not only was the table make my exact specifications, it’s also rock-solid. No movement or vibration at all!
While my darkroom work surface itself is “dry” (no running water), I have a larger laundry room sink close by to get to water for rinsing the prints.
For chemicals, my primary print develop of choice is BW-65 from Photographer’s Formulary:
http://stores.photoformulary.com/bw-65-liquid-paper-developer/
This developer is a Phenidone and glycin-based paper developer that produces rich blacks. BW-65 produces results similar to Amidol, but is much safer to use than Amidol.
I also recently picked up a Bestwell Grain Focusing scope. This allows you to precisely focus your image on the paper. If you haven’t tried one of these, you need to get one! You’ll wonder how you every got a sharp, focused print without it!
If you have any questions about my darkroom, or developing techniques, please feel free to contact me!
Rick’s e-mail:
shadowsphoto@mac.com
Visit Rick’s website: www.saguaroshadowsphoto.com
Hear Rick chat about recommended Darkroom books on Epiosde 101 of The Film Photography Podcast! http://filmphotographyproject.com/podcast
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