Darkroom novice needs assistance

[To22much]

I used to work for a photography studio as ( The guy in the darkroom) I loved the job and photography has always been an interest I just never had the time to persue it. Well recently I broke my hand and have been confined to to watching t.v. so what better time to start a hobby right . Well I purchused a Kodak Ektamatic B&W photo processor just to learn that if I ad an extra bath and change the chem's I might be able to get this Dinosaur to work properly.Since my only experiance is on commercial equip. I dont know where to go from here. Will my prehistoric creature Prevail? And what would be a good enlarger for me 35mm. ?
What goodies am I going to have to buy to make enlarger work properly?
The one i worked on had a digital timer, and adjustable color knobs,Cyan,Magenta,Yellow.
If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[clogz]

Can I be of any help? Yes, I can but I can only relate my experiences with the enlarger etc I have used for years. A Durst M605 (for 35 mm and 2 1/4 square format) with colour head. Lenses: Nikon 50 mm and 80 mm. This configuration has never let me down. Look around on the net, they're cheap these days second hand. If you have any money to burn, spend it on an Analyser Pro (for B/W)
Good luck

Hans

 

[blansky]

You should ask yourself a couple of questions. What is th largest size negative that you could reasonably expect to use in the future. If it is indeed 35mm then you can find lots of enlargers on ebay. If you want to, or plan to go to a larger negative then these can also be found used. If you used a color head previously you may want to stay with that, since you know how it works.

The last question is how much time will you commit to this hobby and is it worth it to try to get high end equipment, color heads, digital timers, good darkroom lights and ventilation etc.


Since the world is going digital, there are tons of incredible buys on used equipment on ebay and other places where you can find everything for perhaps 40-60 percent of what it costs new.

Everyone has a favorite enlarger and you will get lots of ideas from them but I suggest that you plan for the future and not just buy what you think you want today. In the long run it will be cheaper.

 

[photomc]

Michael is right on target here..when I set out to buy the enlarger for my darkroom, ask the same questions got pretty much the same answers..but I thought I would NEVER do 4x5. Now, I have two enlargers..so this is a really big deal..give it as much thought as possible, or end up like I did with two enlargers (which really isn't a bad thing).