Equipment not meant for, but used in the darkroom.

[ben-s]

I use a 2 tube fluorescent fitting which I have modified internally to allow the tubes to be switched individually.
One side is fitted with a Safelight tube, the other with a normal daylight tube.
Works really well.

 

[jstraw]

beware those non-safelight-filtered tubes...they tend to glow in the dark.

 

[ben-s]

beware those non-safelight-filtered tubes...they tend to glow in the dark.

I've not really found this to be a problem with paper.

I think a lot depends on the type of phosphors used, and for some reason the size of the tube seems to have an effect.
My standard 5' white tube ceases to glow after a couple of seconds, but all the short, small diameter tubes I have tested glow for much longer.

Now the lightbox... well, that glows enough to be usable for about 5 minutes after it's switched off!

 

[chrisofwlp]

I have just recently finished my first darkroom. I havent had time print in it yet.

Except for chemistry, my developmet timer, and the contents of my "arista darkroom kit" (trays, tongs, thermometer, graduated cylinders etc...), nothing in my darkroom is meant for a darkroom.

- 2 Sterelite 12qt tubs for water bath and washing.
- 4 of 5 home depot "clamp lights" (printing, safelight, film inspection, print viewing, etc)
- colored party/decor bulbs. 1 25w red for a safelight, and an 11w dark green for film inspection.
- 1000 watt voltage regulator, snagged new off ebay for $32.99, to keep printing times consistant.
- metronome for timing print exposure
- 3 walls in my darkroom consist of black out curtain, which was very cheap (about $85) is not permenant, and makes the most light tight darkroom i have ever been in!!!

Christopher Breitenstein

 

[fschifano]

)
- colored party/decor bulbs. 1 25w red for a safelight, and an 11w dark green for film inspection.

I'd be wary of the part/decor bulbs. They are probably not safe. You MIGHT get away with the red one for papers, but the green one for film inspection? Not likely. I have a proper green safelight filter and housing for that. With the recommended 15 watt bulb, it is so dim that you can't see anything except for the green glow of the light itself. The few times I've tried, that hasn't worked out all that well for me. Either you can't see anything worthwhile and/or you fog the film. Safelight filters are designed to pass very specific wavelengths of light. Party bulbs are not made to that standard.

 

[eagleowl]

A fairly beat up old wardrobe.
Add 4 lengths of brass picture wire,8 copper coated panel pins,a couple of minutes work with a soldering iron and some cheap plastic clothes pegs,and you have a print drying cabinet identical to mine!

 

[arigram]

There are many things that I use meant for other purposes.
Such as anti-static plastic covers for computers and equipment bought at a local computer store. They make great protection for my enlarger (PC tower), easel, (two 17" TFT monitor covers) Analyser Pro (small scanner), Jobo CPP-2 and its tanks and rolls (three 17" CRT monitor covers).

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Here's one I didn't think of when I responded originally. I found this collapsible folding wire thing at a housewares store that's designed to go in a closet on a shelf or the floor to create another shelf. It folds flat, so I can store it with my trays, and when I'm working with larger trays in the dark/bathroom, it makes it possible to stack trays in the bathtub. I found it at "Bed, Bath, and Beyond" when I wanted to buy a tray ladder from B&H, and discovered they were out of stock in the size I wanted.

 

[gr82bart]

Does my entire bathroom count? I use the bath tub as my sink. I also use a Brita water jug with filter to get 'clean' water for mixing. Clean enough for me.

Regards, Art.

 

[chrisofwlp]

I'd be wary of the part/decor bulbs. They are probably not safe. You MIGHT get away with the red one for papers, but the green one for film inspection? Not likely. I have a proper green safelight filter and housing for that. With the recommended 15 watt bulb, it is so dim that you can't see anything except for the green glow of the light itself. The few times I've tried, that hasn't worked out all that well for me. Either you can't see anything worthwhile and/or you fog the film. Safelight filters are designed to pass very specific wavelengths of light. Party bulbs are not made to that standard.

I tested the red by fixing 1 piece of paper and leaving one out for 8 minutes (four where i print and four where the developer is) then I processed it, and their was no difference between the two.

Originally I was having trouble with the green fogging the film, so i painted the inside of the clamp light black and I still had trouble with fogging. I moved the light from 3 1/2 to 6 feet away, and taped a piece of mattboard over the front (blackside in) that was only slight smaller then the opening in the light and that solved all my problems. A momentary foot switch helped because now when I inspect the light is on for less then a second per sheet.

If I have any more trouble I am definitley going to spend to money on a filter.

Christopher Breitenstein

 

[richard ide]

Christopher

Try that test again but expose a print with no safelight, cover half the print and expose the other half to your safelight for about as long as you would have the paper out of the box. Exposing an image instead of a blank piece will show any tone shift above threshold exposure.

 

[Kilgallb]

I have an old safeway 2 pound coffee tin with a lamp socket mounted inside. I placed an ordinary RED 15 Watt bug light bulb inside. I painted the plastic cover wth Red model paint and placed it over the open end. (Double red filter)

I made this when I was about 15 years old and have used it ever since. Yes, I tested it and it is safe on Kodak and Ilford paper.