Darkroom portraits

3e8 · Oct 17, 2009

It was actually a freebie off of craigslist. It is completely disassemble-able, with just the removal of screws. It was actually about 3" too wide for my bedroom door, so we had to disassemble it to get it in.

The top shelf can be adjusted to different heights, and there is a removable shelf at the top that I just leave off.

The positioning of the enlarger is nice because I couldn't use my 16X20 easel for smaller formats than 11x14 when the enlarger was mounted on a baseboard.

mike c said:
3e8,that's a nice enlarging box for the omega.If you ever move it looks portable.

Mike

John W · Oct 18, 2009

That's a swell nightstand you've got there, 3e8! I love the lamp. ;-)

Bateleur · Oct 20, 2009

Bateleur said:
Hi Dan,

Good suggestion, I'll give it a try!

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the tip about flashing the paper to make it more sensitive. I ran the test last night (after a long darkroom hiatus) and a clear white sheet of paper was my reward.

jeroldharter · Oct 20, 2009

NER said:
Some additional work is still needed here. The room is about 18' x 12'. The sink is just over 10' long and 36" wide. Seen on the dry side is a Super Chromega F Dichroic II enlarger. The electronics area and the lens cabinet are not visible in this picture. There is a refrigerator for film and paper storage.

Nice work.

ic-racer · Nov 17, 2009

Newest darkroom item. CLS head for the enlarger.
The very frustrating thing for me was to have a light source that was not perfectly even (coldlight) when I had an enlarger chassis (Durst) made by the folks that claim to have the most even 10x10 light source ever put on the market (CLS head).

So, through some luck and serendipity, I wound up with an easily repaired CLS head to put on my Durst chassis.

BobNewYork · Nov 17, 2009

If I had that I'd never leave the darkroom !!! And die of lack of Vitamin D (or is it E ??).

Bob H

bobwysiwyg · Nov 17, 2009

BobNewYork said:
If I had that I'd never leave the darkroom !!! And die of lack of Vitamin D (or is it E ??).

Bob H

Vitamin D, I believe. Your body would cease absorbing calcium and you would collapse into a pile of brittle bone fragments.

randerson07 · Nov 17, 2009

bobwysiwyg said:
Vitamin D, I believe. Your body would cease absorbing calcium and you would collapse into a pile of brittle bone fragments.

Wouldnt you just turn into Gollum? I could live with that.

ic-racer · Nov 17, 2009

BobNewYork said:
If I had that I'd never leave the darkroom !!! And die of lack of Vitamin D (or is it E ??).

Bob H

As complicated and expensive as the power supply to this beast, it really comes down to powering a 120V bulb and a 24v fan. The rest of the head is all mechanical. Not unlike the Chromega. So, the backup plan on this one was to just run the bulb off the mains through a hefty relay.

Turns out, by replacing a $1 resistor, I got it all working the way it was intended.

Tom Kershaw · Nov 17, 2009

What function is the control unit on the separate stand performing?

Tom

ic-racer · Nov 17, 2009

Tom Kershaw said:
What function is the control unit on the separate stand performing?

Tom

That has a timer and the switches to control the head up/down and the lensboard up/down.

So, with that head and chassis there are 3 motors (not including two 24v fans).

240V motor for the head up/down
24V motor for the lensboad up/down
24V motor for the shutter

One of the reasons the power supplies are so complicated is that the lensboard up/down has a 'constant velocity' circuit so it goes the same speed up and down.

Even the 24 volt feed for the shutter motor is voltage regulated.

The 240V motor uses 4 triacs to adjust the speed and then 'clamp' the motor in a frozen state when not moving.

Keith Pitman · Nov 17, 2009

I take it that your darkroom is so large, you need a bicycle to get around!

Keith Pitman · Nov 17, 2009

I take it that your darkroom is so large, you need a bicycle to get around!

mike c · Nov 18, 2009

ic-racer,how often do you have to feed that monster.

David Brown · Nov 20, 2009

I just turned down purchasing one of those. 8x10 durst with color head, all the carriers, lens boards, light boxes, etc. I just was taken aback at how huge it was! The baseboard is 3 by 4 feet! Stands 7 and a half ft high!

I mean, I just shoot roll film and already have 2 4x5 enlargers ...

ic-racer · Nov 20, 2009

David Brown said:
already have 2 4x5 enlargers ...

That does not mean you can't also have the 8x10! I'd go back and get it! What better reason to get an 8x10 camera

Soeren · Nov 21, 2009

BobNewYork said:
If I had that I'd never leave the darkroom !!! And die of lack of Vitamin D (or is it E ??).

Bob H

Naah thats eaily overcome by instaling an UV esposure unit for some alt processes

David Brown · Nov 21, 2009

ic-racer said:
That does not mean you can't also have the 8x10! I'd go back and get it! What better reason to get an 8x10 camera

I know. And, I am about to build a much larger darkroom than I had. But, seriously, I was really startled at how large this machine was in person! It's huge.

Richard Wasserman · Nov 21, 2009

David Brown said:
I know. And, I am about to build a much larger darkroom than I had. But, seriously, I was really startled at how large this machine was in person! It's huge.

David, I don't know... I recently saw a Durst 8x10 standing next to a Saltzman 12x15 enlarger and the Durst looked quite petite!

Erik L · Nov 29, 2009

Here's my humble workspace, it serves me well so far. Boy I wish I had room for one of those giant enlargers - one day maybe.
regards
Erik

perkeleellinen · Nov 30, 2009

I wish I had room for your 'humble' workspace!

DLawson · Nov 30, 2009

Erik L said:
Boy I wish I had room for one of those giant enlargers - one day maybe.

Every time I look at one of those pictures, I immediately slip into lottery daydream mode.

I'd love a dedicated space with plumbing, but don't see it happening. I'm stalking part of the basement for dark space, but it isn't located well for running water.

For now, the workspace is the folding table in the master bathroom.

ic-racer · Nov 30, 2009

DLawson said:
Every time I look at one of those pictures, I immediately slip into lottery daydream mode.

Actually the enlarger is cheap, but expenses associated with a wife that allows such things in the house can be considerable

Christopher Walrath · Nov 30, 2009

Well, here's mine. Remember, you asked.

As you can see, things are kind of cramped. Not much wiggle room, but I manage and I create things in the dark.

There are more ways to be creative here than most men would think.

I have no running water in the privy when I'm in there because the only place to put the enlarger negates its use.

The basket has changed but this is MINE!

With no running water, I run prints out to the kitchen sink to rinse for mow.

randerson07 · Dec 2, 2009

Last night I setup in my computer room, much easier to work in, but no running water.

Notice the rockband drums on the right. And theres a 44in tv under that blanket behind the trays.

Darkroom portraits

3e8

John W

Bateleur

jeroldharter

ic-racer

BobNewYork

bobwysiwyg

randerson07

ic-racer

Tom Kershaw

ic-racer

Keith Pitman

Keith Pitman

mike c

David Brown

ic-racer

Soeren

David Brown

Richard Wasserman

Erik L

Attachments

perkeleellinen

DLawson

ic-racer

Christopher Walrath

randerson07

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Darkroom portraits

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