Help me set up my B&W darkroom, please.

[MattKing]

I use 11x14 trays nested in larger 12x16 trays. It really helps limit spillage, and it is actually easier to empty the trays at the end of the session.
It works with 8x10 trays nested in 11x14 trays as well.

 

[Light Capture]

Cardboard can be used for negative carriers as a stop gap solution.
3d printed ones will work. Might need some flattening if there are any zits or blobs left. Alignment check will tell you if it's good or not.
Sanding paper on glass or some other flat surface will work to get them flat if necessary.

All that being said proper holder with glass and a good lens will make a difference.

Another vote for Ilford Multigrade RC. Easy to use and very predictable. I didn't use cheaper papers.
They all seem to be relatively close in price these days.

Fiber paper brings complexity to getting it flat and washed properly. Starting with RC is better.

All trays work well. Some agitation is required for complete development. Rotary tubes are a good option for bigger prints.
There are lots of those in local ads if you already don't have some.
There should be plenty of carriers as well.

Depending on how much work with fluids you do carpet might be an issue.
It would be the best to mix chemicals in bathroom or some other place with tiles or similar resistant floor.
That's the step where most mishaps and spills happen.

Darkroom sink can be made with simple plywood box covered with fiberglass and coated with epoxy. Even Bondo does the work.
It will keep spills under control.

Another important part is making a darkroom a darkroom.
I use blackout cloth from fabric store with velcro attached on edges. One side is attached on top and edges of windows frame.
On blackout cloth there is other side attached. Easiest is to use self adhesive velcro on both and have it adjusted.
After that side on the frame can be stapled and side on blackout cloth sews so it doesn't fall off. It will fall off if it's not attached properly.

 

[MattKing]

Underbed storage drawers can also serve to hold small to medium size trays.
This sort: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/sockerbit-storage-box-with-lid-white-20411524/

 

[mgb74]

With the Beseler, don't forget to adjust the upper stage for the negative size you're using. There is an extension for that knob when using the dichro head, but it's often missing on used gear. If you have the early dichro head, you'll also need the separate power supply. If you have a later version, it just plugs into line voltage. If your head has the separate fan switch, don't forget to use it.

 

[Ariston]

With the Beseler, don't forget to adjust the upper stage for the negative size you're using. There is an extension for that knob when using the dichro head, but it's often missing on used gear. If you have the early dichro head, you'll also need the separate power supply. If you have a later version, it just plugs into line voltage. If your head has the separate fan switch, don't forget to use it.

This one plugs straight in, and I don't see a fan switch. I also don't see any way to adjust the head for different sizes of film. How would that be done? There is a photo of the enlarger in this thread, if you can help.

 

[grain elevator]

Lots of great advice here. I second moving to the kitchen or bathroom for print washing.
Some vastly overstate the darkness/light proofing needed for paper business (film is a different matter). Some light spilling in from under a door, or a bit of light spillage from the enlarger and white walls haven't caused me any issues, and I'm sensitive to muddy whites. Paper is slow and has a lot of reciprocity failure. Some make an effort to pre-flash, you may get a little bit of that for free if you have a little spillage
Red led strings give a christmas feeling, are cheap and work nicely as safelights (test your configuration obviously).

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have carpet in the spare-room-cum-darkroom, and it's fine. But I have a secret:
Don't use trays!
That's right, don't use trays. Their short walls make them too easy to spill.
Instead, use Sterlite (or equivalent) bins of suitable size. These are cheap and available everywhere in the US. The only way you can spill such a bin is if you're hopelessly uncoordinated or trip while carrying it.

And +1 for the Peak Grain focuser. I have three brands of focusers, and the Peak beats the others by a country mile.
Mark Overton

That is why it is a dry darkroom and uh yes there is no sink there.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

In regards to your carpeted room, my last darkroom in Japan was a bedroom with tatami mats. I layed down a sheet of heavy plastic over top, followed by a large rug. I was in there every night for 10 years. It help up well. I did have a few spills in there, but when I stripped out my darkroom, the tatami was just like new...although the green had faded lol!

 

[Ariston]

Just to let you guys know, I am worried about dust from the carpet, not spillage. The carpet is cheap and not in grest shape, anyway.

 

[MattKing]

By an inexpensive carpet cleaner, and use it regularly with just water.

 

[mgb74]

This one plugs straight in, and I don't see a fan switch. I also don't see any way to adjust the head for different sizes of film. How would that be done? There is a photo of the enlarger in this thread, if you can help.

That photo in your early post doesn't help.

There were, to my knowledge, 3 versions of the 23c colorhead: "Dual Dichro", "Dual Dichro S", and the latest "23cIII". I'm guessing you have the Dual Dichro S. On the right side (as you face it), behind the colorhead, you'll see a shaft next to markings that indicate the film format. If you use a film format larger than your setting, you'll have excessive light falloff.

The fan switch should be underneath the colorhead on the right side.

 

[glbeas]

If you arent doing bigger than 8x10 Ive found the deep refrigerator crisper trays are about perfect for the water bath after the fix. Holds a fair amount of water and is easy to carry back and forth to the sink. ive even done the washing in it but you have to be constantly shuffling the prints top to bottom so they all get fresh water on them. Im in the Atlanta area so if you have a problem that stumps you and need help let me know.

 

[MattKing]

Are there any tips you can give me for setting up or using the Beseler 23CII Dichro enlarger?

Any suggestions regarding layout are welcomed:

I don't think that is a 23CII. I think it may be a version of the 67 Dichro enlarger that Beseler produced for a while with that sort of dual column. Can we see a better image of it?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Just to let you guys know, I am worried about dust from the carpet, not spillage. The carpet is cheap and not in grest shape, anyway.

Take out the vacuum and use it more often.

 

[Ariston]

That photo in your early post doesn't help.

There were, to my knowledge, 3 versions of the 23c colorhead: "Dual Dichro", "Dual Dichro S", and the latest "23cIII". I'm guessing you have the Dual Dichro S. On the right side (as you face it), behind the colorhead, you'll see a shaft next to markings that indicate the film format. If you use a film format larger than your setting, you'll have excessive light falloff.

The fan switch should be underneath the colorhead on the right side.

I don't think that is a 23CII. I think it may be a version of the 67 Dichro enlarger that Beseler produced for a while with that sort of dual column. Can we see a better image of it?

It says 23CII Dichro. When I get back I’ll take a better photo of it. Thanks for the help.

 

[Ariston]

The manual I was given actually says it is the XL version, but it doesn’t say that anywhere on the housing.

 

[MattKing]

The manual I was given actually says it is the XL version, but it doesn’t say that anywhere on the housing.

XL refers to the frame, and denotes a tall frame. It looks like a tall frame!

 

[Ariston]

Here is a truly terrible photo taken with my terrible tablet:

 

[fiddle]

Ariston was going to purchase a negative carrier from me, can anyone confirm that the head uses the same round carriers as a B&W 23c head?
Thanks

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

I cannot overstate how excited I am. Back in July, Vincent (here on Photrio) offered up some darkroom equipment for FREE. I drove down to New Orleans from Atlanta to pick it up. It was insane how generous he was, and it included just about everything I needed to set up a darkroom.

Ariston, I am over in Decatur and have some darkroom extras looking for a good home. 8x10 and 5x7s trays, graduates, funnels, etc. Let me know if you are interested before I put them on the freebie board.

 

[Bill Burk]

Make it dark in bright daylight. Time in the darkroom is easier to come by if you can do it anytime. Make it always ready to use with no more than a few minutes makeready time.

 

[MattKing]

Here is a truly terrible photo taken with my terrible tablet:

View attachment 264355

Yes, that is a 23 C series enlarger, with a 23C II colour light source. Quite likely it is a 23 CII enlarger chassis as well, but the heads are interchangeable, so it is difficult to tell.

Ariston was going to purchase a negative carrier from me, can anyone confirm that the head uses the same round carriers as a B&W 23c head?
Thanks

Yes.

 

[mgb74]

Here is a truly terrible photo taken with my terrible tablet:

View attachment 264355

That's looks to me to be the latest version of the Beseler colorhead. You can find some marked 23CIII (as opposed to II) but looks like the same design. I'm not positive, but I think it was designed as diffusion only, where the previous versions (Dichro, Dichro S) could be set up in diffusion or condenser mode. IIRC, you still have the adjustment on the right side for film format.

 

[Ariston]

Ariston, I am over in Decatur and have some darkroom extras looking for a good home. 8x10 and 5x7s trays, graduates, funnels, etc. Let me know if you are interested before I put them on the freebie board.

Yes, thank you! I just sent a PM.

 

[Ariston]

That's looks to me to be the latest version of the Beseler colorhead. You can find some marked 23CIII (as opposed to II) but looks like the same design. I'm not positive, but I think it was designed as diffusion only, where the previous versions (Dichro, Dichro S) could be set up in diffusion or condenser mode. IIRC, you still have the adjustment on the right side for film format.

Here are some better lit photos of the enlarger. I see no means of adjusting the negative size. The manual says that it accommodates up to 6X9, but does not say anything about adjusting for different film sizes. Since the light is diffuse, does the distance from the lamp really matter? Once I get a MF carrier I can check it out.

By the way (if it helps identify it), this head swings up to project onto a wall for large prints.