Equipment not meant for, but used in the darkroom.

C A Sugg · Feb 4, 2007

A cat box for a print holding / wash tray. They're big enough for an 11 x 14 to settle on the bottom and much, much cheaper than deep photo trays.
Charles

Black Dog · Feb 4, 2007

Blutak is indispensable for dodging tools- also thin wire and assorted bits of card.Then there's the stereo plus hundreds of cds and tapes. I've got so many they take up more space than my negatives and paper LOL....Windscreen wipers are great for squeegieeng prints as well.

Andrew Moxom · Feb 5, 2007

I use Home Depot replacement 'weed wacker' nylon for my film and print drying line. It's stretched out over a 7 foot span and it allows me to suspend my prints lighly held with clothes pins as they dry. The slick surface allows the prints and drying film to slide left or right easily as well. I know most folks would cringe at me using clothes pins, but it works for me.

Black Dog · Feb 5, 2007

Oh, and lots of cards/posters on the walls as well, so I can look at some nice pics while sloshing a tray around/shaking a tank. Plastic teaspoons are v handy for measuring chems out too.

Chan Tran · Feb 6, 2007

Modified roaster oven with add-on temperture control as tempering bath. A pocket PC as timer for RA-4 processing. Computer and film scanner to analyzer color negative for filtration settings. Programmable controller as timer for the enlarger.

Mark Pope · Feb 9, 2007

Hair dryer, plastic spoons, syringes, microwave, DAB radio, electronic scales bought from a shop specialising in um herbal smoking products .

I love Murray's idea of using the wine bags.

Regards

Fotohuis · Feb 10, 2007

The cubitainers, (wine bags) are already standard for over 20 years from Amaloco photochemicals.
Also the easy tap:
Dead Link Removed

Also in my darkroom the automatic water timer/controller.
Handy and easy GARDENA water connections, for the Jobo washer/Paterson paper washer and other save leak free connections.

Another (wine) invention: Vacuvin, to prevent oxidation of the developers:
Dead Link Removed

And the more "standard" materials: Hair dryer, sponge (viscose), syringe 5ml (for the Rodinal, Tanol and other high dilution developers).
For my convenience, remote controlled lights and switches. More safety (wet hands) and no mistakes of the right lights and heating devices .

Best regards,

Robert

jstraw · Feb 10, 2007

I'm about to buy a graduated, 10ml pipet and a thumb wheel pipetter from a medical supply house for measureing out small quantities of developer.

David Brown · Feb 10, 2007

I honestly don't know how one would operate an efficient darkroom WITHOUT a long list of items that were not made specifically for the darkroom. Most of these have been mentioned, so I won't add my list of 25 or 30.

But I am amazed that no one has mentioned the one, single thing no 35mm shooter can live without: the "church key" bottle opener for getting into the 35mm cassettes.

Steve Smith · Feb 10, 2007

David Brown said:
But I am amazed that no one has mentioned the one, single thing no 35mm shooter can live without: the "church key" bottle opener for getting into the 35mm cassettes.

I load mine onto the reel with the film still in the cassette then when I get to the end, I just tear the film along the cassette opening. Works fine every time.

Steve.

jstraw · Feb 10, 2007

Steve Smith said:
I load mine onto the reel with the film still in the cassette then when I get to the end, I just tear the film along the cassette opening. Works fine every time.

Steve.

Me too, Steve. My EOS bodies are configured to leave the tails out when they rewind. I crease the leaders so I know a roll is exposed.

Fotohuis · Feb 10, 2007

My EOS bodies are configured to leave the tails out when they rewind

Exactly, same with the Leica M7 (DIY), Horizon 202 a.s.o. and in case of emergency I can use the film retriever/picker.

Gay Larson · Feb 10, 2007

Steve Smith said:
I load mine onto the reel with the film still in the cassette then when I get to the end, I just tear the film along the cassette opening. Works fine every time.

Steve.

just curious, wouldn't that risk scratching the film?

jstraw · Feb 10, 2007

Gay Larson said:
just curious, wouldn't that risk scratching the film?

Why? Your film has already passed through that opening twice. Once more is not a problem.

Shmoo · Feb 10, 2007

Great ideas. Here's a few I use:

1. Williams Sonoma food timer (has a clock, stop watch, and 3 timers, about $18).
2. Food service trays (the gray ones the bus boys use to clear dishes) fit 11x14 nicely and can be bought with plastic lids. About $5 per tray and another couple for the lid.
3. Lingerie dryer - plastic thing you can find at import stores. Has a plastic hanger hook and from that is suspended a plastic "mobile" with clothes pins on it. Great for drying negs over the tub. About $2.
4. IBC root beer bottles - amber...storing chems. about $6 a 6 pack, but the root beer's worth it!

David Brown · Feb 10, 2007

David Brown said:
the one, single thing no 35mm shooter can live without

I stand corrected.

However, the aforementioned tool is useful for opening other things, too.

Black Dog · Feb 10, 2007

Steve Smith said:
I load mine onto the reel with the film still in the cassette then when I get to the end, I just tear the film along the cassette opening. Works fine every time.

Steve.

Me too-makes life a lot easier!

Allen Friday · Feb 10, 2007

I was at Sam's Club today and I noticed that they carry grey, plastic "Bus trays", the trays busboys use to clean dishes off tables to carry them back to the kitchen. They come in two sizes. The big trays looked like they would hold an 11x14 inch print. They are nice and thich and quite deep, very substantial. I have all the trays I need in that size, but if anyone needs trays, they might be worth checking out. $12 for two trays.

Rick Jones · Feb 13, 2007

Decor-Food Fresh-screw top storers from The Container Store. They come in at least three sizes (all the same diameter), are translucent and stack easily. I use the smaller size to store enlarging lenses mounted on individual D2 lens boards. I use a larger size to store developing reels not in use. A triple food timer is used to time print processing. While a Zone VI Compensating Developing Timer assures consistent developing time the triple timer is preset for two times. The first time alerts me when the light can go on and the second tells me when fixing is complete.

dogzbum · Feb 14, 2007

I have a recessed lens panel for my enlarger that I made from an empty, inverted baby formula tin.

I also rely heavily on the air conditioner to keep the darkroom cool enough to work in. I envy those of you who need tray warmers. I mix 50% refrigerated water and 50% tap water for processing. Otherwise the gelatin starts to get runny. My tap water averages 34degC at this time of year.

Woolliscroft · Feb 15, 2007

Remington domestic air filters. I have two in the darkroom running 24/7 and they have turned it into something close to an industrial clean room with far fewer dust problems.

David.

dancqu · Feb 15, 2007

MurrayMinchin said:
Have you discovered any equipment
not meant for darkroom use that's now
indispensable in your darkroom? Murray

Leaf and plant press corrugated Ventilators and
Driers make a slow but very good print dryer.
Look for those two items at:

www.forestry-suppliers.com

Prints dry Flat. I've substituted a hydrophobic
polyester for the driers above mentioned. Termed
"interfacing" at your local fabric outlet. Dan

donbga · Feb 15, 2007

jstraw said:
I'm about to buy a graduated, 10ml pipet and a thumb wheel pipetter from a medical supply house for measureing out small quantities of developer.

Oral syringes are much cheaper and easier to use.

Gay Larson · Feb 16, 2007

I bought stainless steel tea bag tongs to use in my darkroom. They work great and cost a lot less than stainless steel tongs meant for the darkroom.

Papa Tango · Feb 18, 2007

Kitchen stuff seems to work out so well Non-photo intended gear includes:

Digital meat thermometer with long wire and temp alarm (repeating timer too!)
Rubbermaid sink matts for sink bottom and under tray use
Rubbermaid sink strainer
Nested set of plastic measuring cups
Big plastic slotted spoons for mixing
Plastic letter sorter for organizing neg carriers
Various kitchen timers
Small Mayline drafting board for layup
Veterinary syringes for measuring
3 gallon spring water dispensers for bulk chemistry
Clothes steamer for removing tissue mounts

Equipment not meant for, but used in the darkroom.

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