- Joined
- Mar 17, 2007
- Messages
- 230
- Format
- Med. Format RF
I bought this a couple of months ago and finally got around to setting it up in my basement tonight. So I thought I would offer some first impressions.
I also have a Nova Darkroom tent and have been using it for a number of years. So I’ll compare the two. I don’t know if the Nova is still available - I don’t think it is in the US at least.
Price - the Ilford is much cheaper - I paid $249 for it in June. I paid about $150 more for the Nova - used.
Design - the nova is a big square box about 4ft by 4 ft. - about the same foot print as the Ilford. But the Ilford is literally a tent with a peaked roof. And the space diminishes as the walls rise. I am sure people using it outside will like the ability to shed rain, but for indoor use the Nova offers more room.
Also - the Nova has an integrated floor where you have to press the Ilford ground sheet around the bottom of the interior to attach it with Velcro. That is a pain in the ass - I never got it perfect.
The poles on the Ilford are traditional tent poles with shock cords - I think they are sturdier. The Nova poles connect via some plastic connectors that the poles screw into and they are prone to cracking and the poles are much lighter than the Ilford.
Both have drawstring ports to put cords through and to use with an exhaust fan. I think the nova has one more - a dedicated electrical port. The nova also has windows - though I consider them just another potential light leak.
My used Nova came with an exhaust fan and it also serves to inflate the tent slightly to give a bit more room. I have used the Nova for loading film holders and processing tanks and coating papers. I moved my MXT 4x5 enlarger into the new Ilford on an adjustable height table, I think I’ll have room for up to 11x14, but I haven’t actually printed in it. My table is narrow and I have to have the enlarger sit lengthwise on the table so it doesn’t leave much room for a loading area and definitely not for Trays, IMO. I’ll be printing using a jobo so it isn’t a big problem for me yet. I think I can source a more appropriate table that would work better.
So I will continue to use both tents in my basement - continue to deal with film and paper coating in the Nova and try to test our printing in the Ilford. I think the nova is overall a little more usable, but I can see value in the Ilford- especially given the price.
Thx
I also have a Nova Darkroom tent and have been using it for a number of years. So I’ll compare the two. I don’t know if the Nova is still available - I don’t think it is in the US at least.
Price - the Ilford is much cheaper - I paid $249 for it in June. I paid about $150 more for the Nova - used.
Design - the nova is a big square box about 4ft by 4 ft. - about the same foot print as the Ilford. But the Ilford is literally a tent with a peaked roof. And the space diminishes as the walls rise. I am sure people using it outside will like the ability to shed rain, but for indoor use the Nova offers more room.
Also - the Nova has an integrated floor where you have to press the Ilford ground sheet around the bottom of the interior to attach it with Velcro. That is a pain in the ass - I never got it perfect.
The poles on the Ilford are traditional tent poles with shock cords - I think they are sturdier. The Nova poles connect via some plastic connectors that the poles screw into and they are prone to cracking and the poles are much lighter than the Ilford.
Both have drawstring ports to put cords through and to use with an exhaust fan. I think the nova has one more - a dedicated electrical port. The nova also has windows - though I consider them just another potential light leak.
My used Nova came with an exhaust fan and it also serves to inflate the tent slightly to give a bit more room. I have used the Nova for loading film holders and processing tanks and coating papers. I moved my MXT 4x5 enlarger into the new Ilford on an adjustable height table, I think I’ll have room for up to 11x14, but I haven’t actually printed in it. My table is narrow and I have to have the enlarger sit lengthwise on the table so it doesn’t leave much room for a loading area and definitely not for Trays, IMO. I’ll be printing using a jobo so it isn’t a big problem for me yet. I think I can source a more appropriate table that would work better.
So I will continue to use both tents in my basement - continue to deal with film and paper coating in the Nova and try to test our printing in the Ilford. I think the nova is overall a little more usable, but I can see value in the Ilford- especially given the price.
Thx