Ilford Popup Darkroom

[GDI]

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

 

[Pigsonboy]

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

Thanks for the info. I'm considering getting one of these.

Have you incorporated a ventilation/extraction fan?

 

[AgX]

We should not overlook that there also are alternatives by the home-gardening tents. These however are:
-) not necessarily designed for rapid construction and deconstruction
-) not necessarily optimized for light-tightness
-) have metallized interior for utmost wall reflection, what might lead to specular reflections

 

[GDI]

Thanks for the info. I'm considering getting one of these.

Have you incorporated a ventilation/extraction fan?

I have one in the Nova - my only wet process is coating paper for alternative processes ( largely Cyanotype, so far). So I think I’m good for short enlarging sessions - I may that it gets stuffy in the Ilford and Ill need to install a fan.

 

[GDI]

We should not overlook that there also are alternatives by the home-gardening tents. These however are:
-) not necessarily designed for rapid construction and deconstruction
-) not necessarily optimized for light-tightness
-) have metallized interior for utmost wall reflection, what might lead to specular reflections

True- and you can get much larger tents for a more comfortable working space. But for a light tight, turn-key, and economical option the Ilford is a reasonable option.

 

[GDI]

It looks like there isn't much interest in The Ilford tent, but I think I’ll wrap up this post/review just in case…

I have used it a couple of times now and have now seen its downsides and they’re all about the door - easy access with two zippers and the ability to roll it up for taking gear in and out. But the tie straps are far too short to easily wrap around the rolled up door- how easy it would have been to make them a little longer. Also the way the door connects with Velcro to the ground sheet makes it very hard to seal out the light - as you push against the bottom of the sheet to try fasten it to the Velcro on the door the door flops around making it impossible to seal. You really need an assistant out side pushing against the door. Also, I found out that the door zippers work fine from the outside, but when trying to get out the zipper jams and feels like the stitching will rip out - very frustrating.

And there are a lot of light leaks all around the floor.

So in conclusion - Nova has a couple things that are a pain, but it blows the doors off the Ilford.

And that’s that.

 

[gone]

. Also the way the door connects with Velcro to the ground sheet makes it very hard to seal out the light

Duct tape, she make the world go 'round.

 

[MattKing]

Duct tape, she make the world go 'round.

 

[Two23]

I was thinking of the Ilford for field use doing wet plate. Total light tightness isn't as critical.


Kent in SD

 

[GDI]

Duct tape, she make the world go 'round.

The problem is that you can’t enter or leave the tent without separating the door from the bottom, so you’d have to duct tape it every time you go inside.

 

[GDI]

I was thinking of the Ilford for field use doing wet plate. Total light tightness isn't as critical.


Kent in SD

In that case it may be a good cheap option. Especially if you don’t need to zip the door closed

 

[Jurgen Estanislao]

Is the Ilford tent usable as a light tight means to load ULF film in holders and tanks? I plan to get this primarily for this purpose.

I use a dim room for printing as I print in platinum.

 

[GDI]

Is the Ilford tent usable as a light tight means to load ULF film in holders and tanks? I plan to get this primarily for this purpose.

I use a dim room for printing as I print in platinum.

Yes it will work, but you need to put up with the frustration of the poor quality zippers and the separate velcroed ground sheet.

 

[digital_archivist]

I've been using mine to load 4x5 film holders and the occasional SP-445 tank. No problems, but I currently have the tent set up in a storage room where I can turn out the lights. While the storage room isn't lighttight (which is why I bought the tent in the first place), I've had no trouble with the films handled in my Ilford tent.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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

Since you have a basement, why didn't you build a darkroom there?

 

[GDI]

Since you have a basement, why didn't you build a darkroom there?

It’s wide open, dusty, and building a room would be more expensive (especially since I don’t have the time to do it myself). Plus, when I move I can take it with me.

 

[bish0p]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Ilford tent. I was worried about the light leaks. I'll read up on the Nova.

 

[bdial]

This is helpful feedback, thank you.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Ilford tent. I was worried about the light leaks. I'll read up on the Nova.

I'm surprised they are actually useful; had my doubts but,t hanks for the info and much success to you.

 

[Jurgen Estanislao]

I've been using mine to load 4x5 film holders and the occasional SP-445 tank. No problems, but I currently have the tent set up in a storage room where I can turn out the lights. While the storage room isn't lighttight (which is why I bought the tent in the first place), I've had no trouble with the films handled in my Ilford tent.

Exactly how I intend to use it. Good to know. But with lights on, you reckon the tent isn't light tight?

 

[digital_archivist]

I’ve not tried it with the room lights on. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[Jurgen Estanislao]

I’ve not tried it with the room lights on. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Thanks! Mine is still en route.