Darkroom rentals in Toronto area

JohnMeadows · Oct 31, 2010

I just bought my first medium format film camera (not counting the Brownie I had in the 1970's), and while I am getting what I need to process the film at home, I am not sure I have the space to set up a fullblown darkroom for traditional printing.

Does anyone in the Toronto area have recommendations for traditional wet darkroom rentals, that won't force me to get a 2nd mortgage?

Thanks in advance!

CGW · Oct 31, 2010

Toronto Image Works or Gallery 44 for starters.

David William White · Oct 31, 2010

TIW I think has the cheapest rate at $9/hr. There's other places like gallery44, but you'd have to factor in the memberhip fee. See http://www.torontoimageworks.com/rentals_darkrooms.html.

What'd you get?

P.S. There's a bit of a standard process that avoids wasting time/paper, so sometimes it's good to have someone walk you through your first session.

JohnMeadows · Oct 31, 2010

Thanks for the quick responses!

David I got a Mamiya 645J with 80, 55 and 150 lenses. Going out to the Don Valley in the next few minutes to shoot a test roll (starting with a couple of rolls Ilford XP2 so I get get it processed quickly, but my plan is to shoot traditional B/W films and develop neg's myself). Very excited to try this!!

The funny thing is that I don't have a standalone light meter yet (although I have bought a Gossen Luna Pro on ebay, just waiting for it to arrive). Will need to take my DSLR along to use as a light meter.

BrianL · Oct 31, 2010

Interesting, I never thought about a dark room rental. As I am in Toronto, well worth looking into as I have no place in the house for a darkroom setup but would like to get back into the dark room. When I was young, it was almost as much fun as taking the image.

JohnMeadows · Oct 31, 2010

I haven't done darkroom work since the 1980's, so hopefully it will come back, like riding a bicycle . I haven't completely given up on the idea of a full darkroom at home, since there is a basement bathroom in our house that no one uses, but it would have to be a set up that could be taken down if need be; a permanent darkroom wouldn't fly with the rest of the family :-(

David William White · Oct 31, 2010

Sometimes people just need to be told how it's going to be.

On the serious side, might be worthwhile to do a 'tour' of GTA APUG members with darkrooms, just to see how we've all managed.

hpulley · Oct 31, 2010

There isn't that much in the darkroom that needs to be permanent. I suppose if your MF enlarger is really big it could be a pain to move all the time.

I'm also setting up a darkroom for the first time since the early '80s. Hopefully I can do the first test rolls and prints today (probably old negs for printing today as the test rolls will need to dry for a while).

Tough to get some chemicals out here in the 'wilds west of Toronto' though. I could only find Ilfostop bath at Henrys in Cambridge and I bought all 2 bottles so don't try there yourself!

JohnMeadows · Oct 31, 2010

I'll be heading down to Henry's in downtown Toronto tomorrow hopefully to get some Xtol, etc. Hopefully they have something! Downtown camera was actually a bit of a disappointment; all they seemed to have was D-76 ( a classic I know, but I want to try something I don't remember from 1975!)

CGW · Oct 31, 2010

JohnMeadows said:
I'll be heading down to Henry's in downtown Toronto tomorrow hopefully to get some Xtol, etc. Hopefully they have something! Downtown camera was actually a bit of a disappointment; all they seemed to have was D-76 ( a classic I know, but I want to try something I don't remember from 1975!)

You might give this crew a call:

http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/suppliers/chemicals-kits/nymoc-products-co

JohnMeadows · Oct 31, 2010

Thanks CGW, will check them out as well!

JohnMeadows · Oct 31, 2010

They are only 5.3 km from where I live

CGW · Oct 31, 2010

JohnMeadows said:
They are only 5.3 km from where I live

Not sure what they stock but friends have used them for DIY chemistry.

hpulley · Oct 31, 2010

Was quite happy to pick up some Kodak HC-110, Ilford Microfen and Multigrade developer, Ilfostop, Ilford Rapid Fixer, Ilfotol. All set up now! I'm sure much is in the wrong place and I'll have to figure out where to move it to be useful but it's there.

Mike Wilde · Nov 1, 2010

If you get the hankering for something exotic, get in touch.

I have a quite wide stock of developer agents and can weigh and measure what you need and post it to you, since we are not talking across international borders.

So if thoughts like pyro etc. seize you and you are not up for a whole online shoppping excursion to the Formulary, PM me, or come for a visit.

If you are in the market for a free darkroom setup you might be a week too late though until I find more next garage sale season.
I gave one away and delivered it yesterday, and the second surplus one I had on offer the young lady has been by to look at it. She is presently shooting a film, to bring back on a processsing referesher session, before she takes the whole of that lot away.

tendim · Feb 20, 2017

Resurrecting this old thread..

I used to rent at TIW, and have recently been looking to get back into a darkroom. Sadly, TIW doesn't seem to rent anymore.

Does anybody know of any places in Toronto that still rent out?

Thanks,
-10d

Jeff L · Feb 20, 2017

Gallery 44 has a darkroom. Not sure if you need membership or can just rent.

Bob Carnie · Feb 21, 2017

If you are serious about printing then gallery 44 is an excellent option.

tendim · Mar 4, 2017

Thank you both. I happened up Gallery 44 but at first glance the price range is a bit steep (monthly $100). I was hoping to find something along the lines of Toronto ImageWorks where you could rent by the hour/half-day/day.

In any case, the search continues. Ideally I will be able to rebuild a darkroom in my current residence.

Ko.Fe. · Mar 4, 2017

I was told here is one for rent in Burlington. Meet one person on the GO train, who told me about it.
Halton Camera Exchange was renting as well.
Or you could get enlarger and trays for 100 CAD at Burlington camera. They have timers and the rest for very cheap price. Paper and chemicals as well. I was purchasing fixer from them on this week. Great selection of enlargers.

Jeff L · Mar 4, 2017

If you're willing to look outside Toronto, the guild at Burlington Art Gallery has a darkroom.

jmlynek · Mar 6, 2017

tendim said:
Thank you both. I happened up Gallery 44 but at first glance the price range is a bit steep (monthly $100). I was hoping to find something along the lines of Toronto ImageWorks where you could rent by the hour/half-day/day.

In any case, the search continues. Ideally I will be able to rebuild a darkroom in my current residence.

My understanding is that the $100/month option is for your own space for your own enlarger and other equipment. The common darkroom is free with a membership.

Bob Carnie · Mar 6, 2017

jmlynek said:
My understanding is that the $100/month option is for your own space for your own enlarger and other equipment. The common darkroom is free with a membership.

The common darkroom is really quite nice, I have done a couple of workshops there, I would have my own glass neg carrier btw to rent their space and maybe my own lens but G44 if great.

canuhead · Mar 6, 2017

My understanding is that you pay for darkroom time as needed, it's not included in the annual dues fees. They have rates for minimal usage ($6 per hour etc) or lots of usage and the $120 per month is basically tons of access. The non gang darkroom is waiting list afaik. I've applied and should be getting and orientation schedule shortly.

Agree with Bob re: bringing your own carrier and lens.

If one pays for the full membership, then the monthly darkroom fee isn't too bad since you have 24/7 access. ymmv

tendim · Mar 6, 2017

jmlynek said:
My understanding is that the $100/month option is for your own space for your own enlarger and other equipment. The common darkroom is free with a membership.

Huh, thanks for the clarification; I must have landed on a page that didn't outline the membership. $6/hr is pretty good. I'll have to contact them to see what else they have in the way of equipment (do they provide trays or an automated RC processor?).

Thanks,
-10d

Darkroom rentals in Toronto area

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