Is there an optimum baseboard height????

[philldresser]

I am in the process of making the darkroom a bit more permanent and was wondering if there is an optimum height for an enlarger baseboard. I have a DeVere 504 bench mount enlarger which has the arm comtrollers for focus and magnification under the baseboard (8 cm below the board). I use the enlarger whilst standing.

Phill

 

[Claire Senft]

It sounds as if whatever is most comfortable is the optimum height.

 

[Donald Miller]

I would tend to think that the standard kitchen counter height or something close would work. That typically is 36 inches here in the US.

 

[thedarkroomstudios]

Depends on a few factors, but here's my 2 cents:
Grab a bunch of books and your favourite grain magnifier. Go to your enlarger and put the grain mag on the baseboard, now, keep adding books until you can comfortably look down into it (be aware time of day has an impact, so shoot for the time of day you are normally in the darkroom) when you get to that point, you should find youself standing pretty straight up with little strain on the back and neck. Now (as with everything in photography) you must begin the compromise... if you moved the enlarger this high, do you still have clearance above? Can you comfortably work the controls? Is getting paper in/out of the easel still relatively easy? If the answer was no, start compromising until they are yes You will most likely find a sturdy little 1' stepstool will now become handy to have under the counter for those extra-large prints.
Mine are about 39" and the framing counter is actually about 41" - I am about 5'8" and I can stand there and print without getting 'the darkroom stoop'

-Brad

 

[hortense]

High enough to rest your arms comfortably on the enlarger bench.

 

[John Cook]

I agree that normal bench top and counter height of around 36" is ideal.

However, most amateur darkrooms I have seen are located in basements with limited ceiling height of only 7 feet or so. With 4x5 enlargers approaching five feet when fully extended, this counter height placement is usually impossible.

Most people measure from the ceiling downward, and use the highest baseboard location permitted. If you have a tall ceiling, consider yourself fortunate.

 

[Nick Zentena]

What's the optimum height for a darkroom worker?

You're building it for yourself so forget the compromises and make it the height you like best. I personally like a taller then normal height of 4'. Means less bending over but more reaching up. Still I don't make a lot of big prints so it works best for me. The other enlarger is on a 2' base. This way I can use it's full extension. It also has motor controls so I only need to reach up for fine focus. I've got a chair for this one.

Use whatever fits you best.

 

[Dave Miller]

The enlarger stand was designed to allow the baseboard of my enlarger to end up at the same height as the worktop which is 95cm affl, a little higher than standard. I'm 5'10" and I find it a comfortable working height. The enlarger head goes right to the ceiling on maximum elevation, so I could not have gone any higher, even if I had wanted to.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

Depends on how tall you are. I`m 6 feet so I make as tall as possible so that the head fits under the ceiling. A short table, 12 in, allows me to make smaller prints without bending so much.

 

[philldresser]

Thanks all

My darkroom is hopefully moving towards permanent residence so its time for the enlarger go on a custom bench. It is currently standing on top of the freezer which is 70cm high, plus it has a reasonable deep frame under it which puts the baseboard at 100cm (+- 3' 4"). This takes the column to the roof joists and will not allow max height (not that I ever use it). I have been thinking of dropping the baseboard height to allow the extension, but fromthe replies it seems that most people rate comfort over functionality which is the kind of advice i wanted.

Thanks

Phill

 

[jjstafford]

My two-bits: If you err at all, err in making the bench a couple inches too low. You can always add a platform to the bench to raise the easel. A separate platform also makes it easier to level the enlarger should your bench eventually settle a bit off.

 

[Neil Souch]

Hi,

It definitely depends how tall you are. I am 6 ft and find I need the base board of my 203 about a 1 ft higher than standard bench height for max comfort. Do a bit of experimentation to get it right. And don't be too fussed about going up or down from standard bench height if it suits you.

Cheers,

Neil.

 

[AllanD]

Bend forward so that you forehead is in the horizontal plane. Have a friend measure the distance between the floor and your forehead. This is the height at which you should set your easel. If you follow this advice, you wont hurt your back when you find yourself banging your head on the easel after you have messed up your 45th sheet of paper while trying to burn that skyline on the oh so good yet difficult to print work of genius you took in the unrepeatable and never to be visited again place that has since suffered major redevelopment and a military coup and has been hit by a tidal wave and where they didn't want you there anyway and they don't make the film anymore and you had only one good exposure on a film you have never used before and you don't know what film speed you used and your camera broke when you took the shot...

Anyway, its not a bad height for an easel.