Darkroom pop-up tent recommendations

RJ-

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Hi,

I've been approached to run a pop-up darkroom as a part of an arts festival. I've only ever had experience of brick and mortar darkrooms with positive pressure ventilation/air conditioning.

Logistics aside (water, sink, electricals - this part is already taken care of), I wonder if anyone has experience of a pop-up collapsible/portable darkroom tent large enough for a few darkroom workers. Is there any advantage to silver mylar constructed tents or other materials?

Any recommendations or pros and cons of darkroom tents welcome.

Kind regards,

RJ
 

AgX

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RJ- said:
I wonder if anyone has experience of a pop-up collapsible/portable darkroom tent large enough for a few darkroom workers. Is there any advantage to silver mylar constructed tents or other materials?
Click to expand...

To gain advice on the benefits against "other" materials, you first must tell us what material that "pop-up collapsible/portable darkroom tent" is made of...
 

John51

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If you want low cost diy, the hydroponic stores sell blackout plastic sheeting. The white/black material isn't 100% lightproof everywhere but the white/black/white sheeting is.

They also sell complete tents. For a different purpose of course. The largest I've seen is 2 metres square. Height about 6 foot iirc. You'd need an assistant to act as a doorman as the tents zip up from the outside only.
 

jvo

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Ventilation and temperature - especially if multiple people are in it! If it's very hot, or very cold out, it becomes more critical. Also, if you use blackout cloth, make sure it's for photo purposes. Regular blackout curtains, don't block all the light - so you need some mutli-layered set up, (i've used blackout curtain and black foam core.) You can buy a popup frame, - the type used at outdoor, flea and art fairs.

Based upon what I've done it becomes pricey for a 1 time event and that's durable enough to have multiple people going in and out.

good luck, if you put together something that's needs little care and is effective, it becomes a fun day! Enjoy.
 

AgX

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Seriously, you will have a problem downsizing the guys ...
The OP is looking for a "darkroom tent large enough for a few darkroom workers".
 
OP
OP

RJ-

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Thanks for the replies - I see this isnt' an area most of us have any experience in. I might have to try the dedicated wet plate photographer's pages to see what they do for location work.

"To gain advice on the benefits against "other" materials, you first must tell us what material that "pop-up collapsible/portable darkroom tent" is made of..."

There is no description of the material used in the only model I've been looking at which is too small:

https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/ProductGrp/Nova-Darkroom-Tent


"If you want low cost diy, the hydroponic stores sell blackout plastic sheeting. The white/black material isn't 100% lightproof everywhere but the white/black/white sheeting is."

Thanks John - this is the silver mylar hydrophonic material which I've been looking at to use as a second layer over a 3x3 metre gazebo frame. It's for recurrent use - so the set up time and the potential for leaks or cracks in the material which needs to be folded for storage when not in use is important.

"Ventilation and temperature - especially if multiple people are in it! If it's very hot, or very cold out, it becomes more critical. Also, if you use blackout cloth, make sure it's for photo purposes. Regular blackout curtains, don't block all the light - so you need some mutli-layered set up, (i've used blackout curtain and black foam core.) You can buy a popup frame, - the type used at outdoor, flea and art fairs."

Thanks - these issues aren't problematic being indoor and using positive pressure active ventilation. I guess there aren't any many ready made gazebo sized darkroom tents readily available on the market.

Kind regards,
RJ
 

MattKing

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The problem with the "darkrooms" used by wet plate photographers is that wet plate materials are relatively insensitive to light, and more particularly not sensitive to red light.
A (usually red) tent used for wet plate may very well not work with panchromatic or materials with a wider spectral sensitivity than wet plate.
Traditionally there were military solutions to the need for portable darkrooms - you might look for that source of info.
I wish you best of luck and if I think of anything else I'll post again.
 

peter k.

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Hmmm.. Concept:. Borrow, or rent a camper or trailer instead! Would be fairly easy to light tight. Just a crazy suggestion.
 

calebarchie

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StevieRose said:
Where can I get one of these enclosures? I see you live in Oz, but maybe I can find one in US. Does it have a manufacturer/model number?
Click to expand...

Hi mate,

Everything of this ilk is from China anyway. Just go on ebay or amazon and search for the cheapest you can find for the size you want, they are usually called grow tents. There are some manufacturers (secretJardin?) that may produce higher quality versions but I don't think it is necessary for what we will be using it for especially at 3x the price.

Good luck
 

calebarchie

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For the most part yes, the idea behind hydroponics is total internal reflections - keeping the light in. Be prepared to patch up any pinholes in the fabric and reinforce with tape, especially at the seams which will be under extra stress if you choose to flip it inside out.
The light tight inlets work just fine regardless same with the zipper when inverted which is a bonus. There may be a gap where the zipper closes up I just cover it up or position the tent in the room where it is not going to be a problem.
 
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