Want to Buy Budget starter darkroom setup

Christophoto · Oct 27, 2016

I'm new to film and having fun. I'm developing my negatives at home but then have to do unmentionable things to them with my computer to be able to see them. I think I'm ready to try setting up a basic beginner darkroom for printing but don't want to spend much money until I know it's for me. I'm hoping someone fairly local (I'm assuming shipping an enlarger is cost prohibitive) has an assortment of old stuff laying around that they don't use and wouldn't mind letting go cheap to someone who would use it. I mostly shoot 120 and some 135, color and black and white. I've seen some complete setups on Craigslist that could work but meeting people from there is a last resort. I'm south of Seattle if anyone is interested.

Thanks for looking,
Chris

Jeff L · Oct 27, 2016

Local classified and Craig's List.
Local ads her have shown decent enlargers for $25 and enough equipment to get going for $50-$100 (often including enlarger). Decent equipment is out there.
Good luck, have fun!

fdonadio · Oct 27, 2016

From what I gather, you already develop your negatives and want to enlarge...

If you shoot black and white only, it's cheap. You're gonna use the same stop and fixer solutions you already use for film.

You'll need:

1. An enlarger;

2. Lenses suitable for the film formats you will enlarge — 50mm for 35mm and 80mm for 6x6, for example.

3. A set of 4 trays (dev, stop, fix and wash) in a size adequate to the enlargements you'll be making;

4. Paper;

5. Multigrade filter set;

6. Paper developer;

7. Some dark space to set it all up.

For 135 and 120, you can get a cheap enlarger for free, depending on where you live — for example, a Meopta Opemus 6 costs next to nothing here in Brazil and is a very nice little piece of gear that accepts up to 6x6 film.

I've seen people donate trays here at APUG, but it's not that common. Shipping won't be cheap, especially if you intend to make big enlargements. I am sure someone can get a set of 8x10" trays for you.

If you use gloves (nitrile or latex), you don't need tongs.

That's pretty much it...

Cheers,
Flavio

Christophoto · Oct 27, 2016

Thanks for the tips, it helps.

mr rusty · Oct 27, 2016

If you use gloves (nitrile or latex), you don't need tongs

Not sure I totally agree with that. Gloves can cross contaminate both prints and solutions. I prefer a set of tongs for each tray.

pbromaghin · Oct 27, 2016

There's a decently complete darkroom set on Seattle Craigslist right now for $150.

piffey · Oct 27, 2016

If you don't feel like building a darkroom there is a VERY complete public darkroom available at Photographic Center Northwest off 12th avenue in Seattle by the U. I develop at home then enlarge there. $8/hr includes all chemicals and they don't charge you for drying time. That would give you a chance to see if it's for you before dedicating to a full darkroom setup. You really can't beat the full plumbing and scale of a well done darkroom.

Christophoto · Oct 27, 2016

pbromaghin said:
There's a decently complete darkroom set on Seattle Craigslist right now for $150.

I saw that, just sent a message to ask what enlarger it is. Was hoping to avoid random Craigslist people though.

Christophoto · Oct 27, 2016

piffey said:
If you don't feel like building a darkroom there is a VERY complete public darkroom available at Photographic Center Northwest off 12th avenue in Seattle by the U. I develop at home then enlarge there. $8/hr includes all chemicals and they don't charge you for drying time. That would give you a chance to see if it's for you before dedicating to a full darkroom setup. You really can't beat the full plumbing and scale of a well done darkroom.

Nah, I really don't like driving into Seattle. Also, I work odd hours and will probably be playing around with it at night. I also know I probably won't have fun unless I'm at home taking my time with the stereo on. Thanks for the info though.

MattKing · Oct 27, 2016

Christophoto said:
I saw that, just sent a message to ask what enlarger it is. Was hoping to avoid random Craigslist people though.

Admittedly, I had a good idea of what I wanted and needed first, but I've found really good stuff on Craigslist, and I have had really good experiences with the people I've contacted through Craigslist for film and darkroom stuff.
As I've said to my wife: "scam artists and thieves aren't likely to try making money selling old film stuff - its not like they are iPhones"

fdonadio · Oct 27, 2016

mr rusty said:
Not sure I totally agree with that. Gloves can cross contaminate both prints and solutions. I prefer a set of tongs for each tray.

I have the strange habit of rinsing my gloves in running water everytime I know there are chemicals on it. I think I am afraid of touching my face or touching chemicals when I take off the gloves. It's become standard practice for me.

But, yes, a set of tongs is the best option.

Cheers,
Flavio

mehguy · Oct 28, 2016

I wouldn't use gloves. It gets quite messy and you're getting chemicals all over your enlarger and such. Tongs are cheap and are pretty much needed.

MattKing · Oct 28, 2016

I am bad, I don't use gloves enough.
But when I do, I use nitrile gloves and tongs and I rinse the gloves regularly.

mooseontheloose · Oct 28, 2016

mr rusty said:
Not sure I totally agree with that. Gloves can cross contaminate both prints and solutions. I prefer a set of tongs for each tray.

I usually use tongs (the stainless steel kind, I don't like the bamboo ones), but when I use (nitrile) gloves they are one-time use each time - they get tossed after each print that goes through the developing process. I have had problems with cross-contamination in the past, so for me it's not worth it to reuse them. The gloves are incredibly cheap so it's not really an issue to use a new pair (or even just one since it's unlikely that both hands will go in the chemicals) each time.

APLJ · Nov 12, 2016

I have an old dusty Omega D2 enlarger that you can have for what I paid for it ($20) if you come pick it up on Vashon Island. It works mostly fine.

Christophoto · Nov 12, 2016

APLJ said:
I have an old dusty Omega D2 enlarger that you can have for what I paid for it ($20) if you come pick it up on Vashon Island. It works mostly fine.

Thanks for the offer, but I picked up a Beseler 45MX from another member already.

piffey · Nov 15, 2016

APLJ said:
I have an old dusty Omega D2 enlarger that you can have for what I paid for it ($20) if you come pick it up on Vashon Island. It works mostly fine.

Might I ask what mostly fine means? And if you'd still be interesting in clearing up some space? I'd love an excuse to eat at Snapdragon and pick up an enlarger on the weekend...

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