Getting setup for printing-what do i need

hi guys,

i have been developing film for a while now and am egtting keen to start making my own prints (both b+w and colour). i know ill need an enlarger, paper and developer (already have stop and fixer from my film) but what else will i need? im not too clued up on easels/contact printing etc. any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

dave

Where abouts are you. I have a complete spare darkroom set-up enlarger/safelights/dishes etc.

Ian

Im in preston, uk.

Hi,

best thing to do is to find someone to get first round with you , so if you know somebody who has any experience in darkroom and lives near you - ask him for help.
Also good is to watch some youtube videos - there are pretty good ones that explain the process.

regards,

alas noone round here does anything haha! yeah ive been watching videos etc but they seem to be mostly concentrating on the actual printing process, im trying to find out if i need timers/easels etc etc. ill keep looking round for info.

So beside enlarger and chemistry you need: easels, clips for holding prints when going from one easels to another, mask to hold paper flat, timer, big tub for washing prints, safe light.

Optional: grain focuser, thermometer, multigrade filters, test exposure chart, print drying device.

Can someone continue the list ?

Dave, I'm about 2hrs from you, probably too far to just pop down but you could come and spend a few hours in my darkroom

I'll let you know what equipment I'm looking to let go, I'll dig it out later.

Ian

Ian,

yeah if you let me know what equipment youre getting rid of and how much you want i may well take it off your hands. just pm me or post in this thread. ive got nothing at the moment except some 8x10 trays and 2 pairs of tongs!!

A print dark room can be as simple as an enlarger with appropriate negative carriers and lenses, a timer (for printing you can get by with anything that shows seconds, even your wrist watch), a safe light, and developing trays. If you shoot large format, you can even forgo the enlarger, negative carriers, and lenses and just do contact prints.

From there you can spend thousands of dollars.

Any book from the public library on printing will have a complete list in it. But here is mine:

For Enlarging

enlarger
enlarging lens
negative carrier
enlarging timer
developing trays
developing timer
print tongs
safe light
printing easel
blower-dust brush
print washer
print dryer (I use wood clothes pins on a cord strung over the bath tub)
graduates, funnels, storage bottles
towel (to wipe hands)
apron (highly recommended)
paper developer
stop bath
fixer
hypo eliminator (optional)

Handy stuff to add:

paper trimmer
sheet of glass (to squeegee prints on)
squeegee

For film processing add:

Developing tank & reels
Film developer

Hope this helps...

Thanks tom thats very helpful. i only need a simple setup just to make prints from 6x6 negatives. on the lookout for an enlarger at the moment.

Any advice on safe lights? there are so many options. What do I need that isn't too expensive?