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Question: I need a list of all the basic materials for black and white darkroom photography!?
this will be the first time having one at home, i have only used the one at my school b4 and i otherwise work in digital!. i just need a refresher in what i need and maybe even a estimate on prices!. i know what equipment i just need the different chemicles and their price!. the ones in developing the film and the ones to develop the paper!.
and just so i make sure on the equipment, i remember an enlarger a timer a amber or red light the special little tray that filters the water along with the three other trays for paper developers!. and the film wheel the can or w/e for the film development the measurment cups/beekers,
let me know if i left anything out
thank youWww@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Since you've already taken classes, I hope I'm not repeating anything you already knew!.
But basically, to develop your own film and pictures you will need a developing tank and reel, a changing bag, an enlarger, and probably 4 plastic trays to develop the prints!. also, a measuring cup, thermometer, and probably a couple of funnels!. A bucket comes in handing for mixing chemicals too!. You can get the thermometer, funnels, measuring cups, and bucket, etc from anywhere!. You can use regular household items for some of that!.
You can get an enlarger for pretty cheap on eBay!. I got mine for $40 and it was in great condition!. I literally just set it up, plugged it in and started developing pictures that same day!.
To develop film, you actually don't need a darkroom!. You can just use a changing bag!. The only part of developing film that has to be done in total darkness is when you load the film onto the developing reel and put it in the tank!. Once it's in the tank, you can do the rest in normal daylight!.
For chemicals, you will need film developer, fixer, and paper developer!. For film developer, I'd recommend D76!. But developing the pictures, you will need paper developer!. There are a lot of different kinds of black and white paper developers!. Check out Freestyle Photo Supplies!. That's been my favorite place so far!. Dektol is an okay paper developer, but it oxidizes and goes bad really fast!. There are a lot of other paper developers that work better and last a lot longer!.
One other thing I would recommend is to get a rinsing agent, to prevent water spots from forming on the film when it dries!. You can use this stuff called "Photo Flo" or there are also a lot of other agents you can use!. I use this stuff called "Spot Free!." You just put a few drops in distilled water and soak the film in it one last time before you hang it up to dry!. What I do is after I finish developing the film, and after the fixer, I fill the tank up with distilled water and rinse the film one last time!. Then I get a measuring cup with 32 ounces of distilled water, and put in 15 drops of Spot Free!. I open up the developing tank and then just drop the film in the measuring cup, while it's still spiraled from being on the reel!. I leave it for about 1-2 minutes, then immediately hang it up to dry!. The film dries fine and I don't get any water spots!.
To develop your pictures, you need an enlarger and plastic trays, and a room that you can make dark!. I just made a darkroom in my garage!. You can get a "safelight" (a red or orange light) and the chemicals and any other supplies you need from any good camera store!. (a REAL camera shop, not one that just sells digital cameras)!. Or you can also order them online!.
The good news too is that photo paper is not as sensitive as film, so if a tiny bit of white light leaks into your darkroom, it's not that big of a deal!. You should try to make it as dark as possible, but it's okay if a little bit of light leaks in, as long as it doesn't hit the paper directly!. I've actually had enough light leak into my darkroom where I could see my hands after a while, and it didn't affect the pictures at all!.
The chemicals really aren't that expensive!. The film developer, paper developer, and fixer will all cost about maybe $6 or $7 each!. They're concentrated, so you just dillute them with water!. One $7 bottle of developer will make a gallon!. You can also get powdered chemicals, which you mix with water and give you a gallon solution, and that's a little cheaper!. I think powdered D76 sells for about $5!. If you develop a lot of film and pictures, it will start to add up, but really the chemicals aren't all that expensive!. also, you can reuse the fixer for a while!. I wouldn't reuse the developer!.!.!.just use it once and dump it because it starts to get weak!. But fixer lasts for a pretty long time and you can reuse it!. What I usually do is save the fixer from when I develop film, and then reuse it for developing pictures!. (I don't reuse it anymore after that though)!.
Good luck and have fun! I develop my own black and white film and pictures and home and it's awesome!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Depends on where you buy the stuff!. Enlargers can be had for less than $100 on Craigslist!. You can price paper and chemicals at adorma!.com, bhphoto!.com or http://www!.freestylephoto!.biz/e_main!.php!.!.!.
I purchased a complete darkroom set-up off of Craigslist for $60 earlier this years!. I got everything I needed!.
Make sure you get the negative carriers for the enlargers otherwise you will have to purchase those separately and they can be expensive!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
if you goto a pro shop you can pick up kits that have all the chemicals you need to get started, like: developer, fixer, stop,
prices!? where in the world are you!? a kit here would cost $50-80 NZD
aWww@QuestionHome@Com
Yeah - Freestyle's a good site to visit!. I get most of my supplies for my darkroom there!. I'd check there!.
God, I wish I had my file with all of my orders!.!.!. The most expensive parts were the enlarger, the focusing aid (I got a grain enlarger - I much rather focus on the grain than any lines!.!.!.), and the timer!. The safelight can be a little much!.!.!.
The chemistry, while somewhat expensive, is no where near the others!.
Have fun with your darkroom! I know I am!
Edit: I mean my own darkroom!. It'd be creepy if I had fun with your darkroom!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com