Darkroom alternatives advice needed.

KerrKid

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I need alternatives to a darkroom. I’ll be developing b&w 135 film. I heard the bags are confining and the arms very tight. I’d rather have more room I think, but I’m not sure what to get.

As for the film developing itself, Is there a good source of information on the process and equipment and chemicals needed? I’ll read the sticky threads here as well.

Thank you for your help!
 

MattKing

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AgX

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Improvise at blinding windows, wait for nightfall, use cover within the room, sit within a closet. Couple of possibilities.

I had no darkroom either when I started film processing. After my 4th film I started bulkloading by hand.
 

albireo

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KerrKid said:
I need alternatives to a darkroom. I’ll be developing b&w 135 film. I heard the bags are confining and the arms very tight.
Click to expand...

Dark bags are fine. You'll be fine with 135mm. I use a dark bag (don't own or want to set up a darkroom) and have never had any issues by using a dark bag even with those large-ish double 120 Paterson tanks.
 

Rick A

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Changing bags are the worst, I always had problems loading/unloading in them from moisture issues(sweaty hands). I covered over the window in my bathroom and hung a black drape over the door to get total black out for film changing. I still use the black drape over the door in my new DR(no windows) for insurance when I have film out but don't need it for printing.
 

albireo

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Rick A said:
Changing bags are the worst, I always had problems loading/unloading in them from moisture issues(sweaty hands).
Click to expand...
That's odd. Perhaps some changing bags are made of more breathable material? Or perhaps you live in a particularly hot or humid part of the world? I purchased my current bag 5 years ago from Fotoimpex in Germany and have loaded thousands of rolls in it. Never an issue. I don't need anything else.
 

Willy T

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Maybe look into the Lab-Box.

LAB-BOX multiformat film developing tank

LAB-BOX is the first multiformat, daylight-loading film developing tank! LAB-BOX is the easiest and quickest tool to develop your own films in full day light, anywhere and at anytime, bypassing the need to load the rolls in the dark.
www.lab-box.it

and DF96 developer/fixer.

Df96 “Developer&Fix” B&W Monobath

Our new Powder Df96 Monobath and Cs41 2-Bath Color Kit can now ship in First-Class/Priority mail envelopes, not regulated for transport. Save up to 75% on shipping rates! The tried and true Df96 Monobath formula is now available in lightweight powder form, for economical shipping, indefinite...
cinestillfilm.com

For me, dark bags are sweaty & fumbly, YMMV. De gustibus, etc.
 

npl

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albireo said:
Dark bags are fine. You'll be fine with 135mm. I use a dark bag (don't own or want to set up a darkroom) and have never had any issues by using a dark bag even with those large-ish double 120 Paterson tanks.
Click to expand...

Same experience here with 35mm and a paterson changing bag (700mm x 700mm). Lack of room is not really an issue, but humidity can be if you stay a long time in there and it's hot. I'd still recommend them if you don't have a darkroom.
 

AgX

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When I started I was not even aware that such as a changing bag existed. For sure it was not on offer locally. And I am not sure the big accessory manufacturers/importers already had such in their portfolio, I rather doubt it.
And yet I did not fog, my films.
 

warden

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I suggest you try a changing bag. They're easy to use and allow you to develop film in normal lighting conditions. And if you don't like that approach you're only out the cost of a couple of rolls of film.
 

mrosenlof

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I think bags are kind of annoying, but for loading a roll or two of 35mm onto developing reels, they're usable. The tent type bags that have a framework to keep the bag fabric away from your hands are better, IMO. The closet or windowless bathroom can work also. Block light through the bottom of the door with a towel.

Once you have loaded your film into the tank, everything else can be done in full light. So you can do film development just fine without a full darkroom setup.
 

Paul Howell

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During the Vietnam war the NV photogpghers would wait until it was night, dead night, a cloudy night, developed their film in a set of bowls mixing chemistry from prepared bags and wash their film in a stream.
 

Valerie

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Changing bags are a good option, if you choose the right material. My personal bag is made of a very heavy fabric and I have no moisture issues. However, the ones used by my students are a plasticy (?) coated fabric that get very humid inside. Sorry, but I don't know the manufacturer of either.
There are also changing tents, if you feel the bag is not an option.
 
OP
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KerrKid

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AgX said:
Improvise at blinding windows, wait for nightfall, use cover within the room, sit within a closet. Couple of possibilities.

I had no darkroom either when I started film processing. After my 4th film I started bulkloading by hand.
Click to expand...

I looked and I think our laundry room would fit the bill. Only one window to cover and may not have to seal the door at night.

I can always get a dark bag, too, as they aren't that expensive as everyone has said. It's not humid in my house so that may not be a problem inside the bag.

Ilford's solution is really nice, but maybe a bit of overkill for now. I'll do what I can on the cheap first.
 
Last edited:

Sirius Glass

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Need a larger dark bag? I use this one even for 4"x5" film.

Photoflex Changing Room

Photoflex Changing Room - The Photoflex Changing Room is an upgrade from the traditional dark bag.This double walled, light-tight changing bag includes an internal frame that provides plenty of room to work and an internal, removable "trash bag" for film…
www.freestylephoto.biz
 
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KerrKid

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Thanks, Sirius. I saw this on the internet and some reviews mentioned that the position of the arms on either side worked for some and not for others. Do you have personal experience with this item?
 

MattKing

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KerrKid said:
It's not humid in my house so that may not be a problem inside the bag.
Click to expand...

It isn't just the outside humidity that creates the problem, it is the humidity you create inside the bag. I use a windowless bathroom - at night, when necessary.
 

Sirius Glass

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KerrKid said:
Thanks, Sirius. I saw this on the internet and some reviews mentioned that the position of the arms on either side worked for some and not for others. Do you have personal experience with this item?
Click to expand...

I have enough room in the back to load and unload the Grafmatic 45 film holders, as an example.
 

bags27

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Never had a problem using a changing bag.

But the great thing about our modern world is that we can return stuff. Just buy it, try it, and, if you don't like it, they'll take it back.
 

pbromaghin

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I use a bag with no real complaints, and even replaced a worn out one with brand new. But if I wasn't so damned frugal it would have been this instead.
 

nosmok

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Plus whatever many +++'s on the changing bag, and even more on the changing tent. I do mostly medium format (bag OK) up to 8" x 10" (bag NOT OK, tho I've done it in a pinch), and haven't even thought about a darkroom, I do everything in tanks. The roller tanks are a godsend for LF-- a cup of chemicals per 8x10 (or 2 if I'm testing something) of negative area, as opposed to quarts and quarts for other tanks, or real estate I don't have for a darkroom. Biggest drawback is not being able to print wet, of course.

As to the actual development, I went with Caffenol when my kids were small, because I figured it was mostly non-toxic, and I've stuck with it, although my source of cheap instant coffee (my formerly thrift shopping MIL) has lapsed.
 

Patrick Robert James

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I have a darkroom and I still load film in a changing tent. Best way to do it. I've only had humidity issues when I was trying to do it in the field, in summer. Otherwise, no problems.

If you have sweaty hands just rinse your hands with alcohol before you start. I do that when I want to load 4x5 film so I don't get any accidental fingerprints on the sheets.
 

JerseyDoug

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I use a Paterson changing bag with no issues when I am loading short 12-exposure 35mm rolls onto Hewes reels which goes very quickly.

Loading 120 film onto Paterson plastic reels in the changing bag was another matter. Unless I was very lucky and the film started correctly right away my hands would sweat enough to practically guarantee creases in the negatives. My first solution was to wear the nitrile gloves I was going to put on anyway for handling chemicals. The long term solution has been to use AP/Samigon reels for the Paterson tank. They load as quickly and easily at the Hewes 35mm reels.
 
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