Lost my light-sealed room, any suggestions?

[hoakin1981]

I had a secondary WC in my old apartment properly light sealed to load the film in the reel/tanks but that Is no more. I have moved and the new one has no WC and the normal/main bathroom cannot be light sealed for various reasons. So I am exploring any alternatives. My 1st thought would be a changing bag but I read about problems with moisture and sweat that really put me off.

Are there any other alternatives? A DIY contraption perhaps?

Thanks In advance!

 

[pdeeh]

I've never had a problem with a changing bag the odd times when I use one.

If you want more room for manoeuvre, consider making a large cardboard box light-tight, with armholes. I know one 8x10 photographer who uses this setup to develop his film (in trays) as well as load his holders.

 

[Xmas]

I can handle 1000 foot of cine & daylight loader in changing bag and Im somewhat handicapped.

You can use daylight tanks for cibachrome for normal silver bromides and use night and heavy drapes for enlarging.

 

[darkosaric]

Using changing bag for the last 3 years, no problems at all.

 

[AgX]

A lighttight tent.

 

[Nuff]

I guess if you are a very sweaty guy, you might have issues.
The other day I loaded a 4 reel tank with 4 x 35mm rolls in change bag without issues.
Also I think it could be more of an issue if you use plastic reels, I use stainless steel.

Also I put cardboard box in my change bag, it makes it into a makeshift tent.

 

[darkosaric]

I use plastic reels in changing bag, but my hands does not sweat, so no problems. It is individual I guess, lighttight tent does sound like a very nice idea, maybe little costly - but nice.

 

[MrBrowning]

How about something like this?

Dead Link Removed

 

[eddie]

Look for a Fuji FDB12. Right now, the ones on ebay don't seem to be in good condition, but good ones do turn up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fuji-Film-Dark-Box-FDB12L-Large-Film-Changing-Used-minor-holes-/201192936650?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed80894ca

 

[MattKing]

Can you solve your problem by only loading tanks at night, with all your lights turned off? Would some blackout curtains help with that approach?

I regularly load tanks at night and then develop film the next day.

Changing bags and I don't get along well.

 

[John Koehrer]

I've got one of the Fuji things. It works like a champ, sets up or knocks down in less than a minute & folds to about 7" thick.
Even this does build up humidity though.

Changing bags work pretty well, and with a cardboard box inside to hold the shape are very useable. IMO a changing bag without the box is a MAJOR PITA.

Stieglitz used a closet under a staircase as a darkroom.........

 

[ic-racer]

I used a changing tent until just a few years ago (>10 years).

 

[mooseontheloose]

I've been using a changing bag for over 8 years now. The only time it gets sweaty in there is in the middle of summer when it's hot and humid. If you go that route just buy the biggest one you can find (I have a smaller one I use for travelling, and while useful, its a PITA to use).

 

[juan]

In Florida, I had problems with sweat causing high humidity inside a changing bag. I solved it by wearing shorts and a t-shirt and sitting in front of a fan. Reducing the temperature of the rest of my body reduced the sweating of my hands. Otherwise, the changing bag was cumbersome, but it worked.
Juan

 

[mooseontheloose]

In Florida, I had problems with sweat causing high humidity inside a changing bag. I solved it by wearing shorts and a t-shirt and sitting in front of a fan. Reducing the temperature of the rest of my body reduced the sweating of my hands. Otherwise, the changing bag was cumbersome, but it worked.
Juan

Yeah, I only belated realised that this year. In the summer I would crank up the air conditioning to cool me down and it definitely kept the sweating down to a minimum. Luckily though, I don't need to do it any other time of the year.

 

[cliveh]

I always use a changing bag and have had no problems.

 

[Ashfaque]

Hi Hoakin,

If you can afford, get a Harrison's Changing Tent (3 different sizes). Alternatively get the largest changing bag you can get. Make sure it is washable, if possible. Harrison's has very large changing bag as well.

I ordered the Arista's Changing Bag (30x27 inch) from Freestyle few days ago. I forgot to ask if it's washable. Humidity, dust and mold are a big problem for me.

Bests,

Ashfaque

 

[elekm]

Changing bag. There used to be two sizes. if you need to make better use of the space, build a small frame for the large bag. Sort of a wire-frame cube. That should give you plenty of space.

I've been using one for years. You should only run into a problem if you keep your hands in there for a long time.

 

[ac12]

I use a changing bag.
A LARGE changing bag with a box inside to hold it up, has more air to absorb your sweat, before it becomes an issue.

 

[wiltw]

It does not take a 'light tight seal' to ensure darkness...if you have even walked into a darkroom thru a 'maze' you understand that simply by taking advantage of the fact that light travels in a straight line, in combination with the absorbtion of light so that it does not reflect from one surface to another (in effect, no 'bouncing around corners') you can get a 'light tight' darkroom!

 

[M Carter]

I'm blessed (cursed?) with a very long DIY conversion of a duplex to a single house... the "blessed" part is the 2nd kitchen has been stripped of appliances but has a large 1930's white enamel single sink (will easily take a 16x20), and working plumbing.

But the way I handled the door may work for you if you have a decent sized closet... I bought a end-of-season close out blackout curtain from eBay (dark blue but 100% opaque, fifteen bucks) and installed a thin curtain rod. Then I made sort of a "valance" of black felt which is stapled around the top of the doorway and hangs down about 8" over the curtain & rod at the top. I fastened the curtain to the doorway at the hinge side, and it's long enough to go past the door and curve into the room at the corner. When you close it up, you have to sort of "tuck in" the corners, but it's completely light tight for almost free.

In the past, I've glued black felt into door jambs to seal any secondary light leaks, and added a "door sweep" (rubber sorta squeegie looking weatherstrip) to the bottom.

You might want to put in a waist-high shelf or small table in a closet situation. I find it a lot easier to load film on a table than in a bag.

I did my windows from my standard commercial studio gear... black seamless paper and black gaffer tape.

The idea mentioned a few posts above - staggered darkroom doors - is effective if everything is flat black, but you need several feet for that to work.

 

[gone]

I've been using a film change bag for years. Works great. The main issue is to get a big one so that you're not all cramped up in there. As for it getting sweaty in there, just turn on the A/C in the room. If you're already adept at loading reels you won't be in there very long anyway. I usually set the tank upright in there to hold the fabric away from the reels whilst loading them, but after a while it matters not. Pretty easy actually, AND it travels w/ you when you move or go on trips.

 

[pbromaghin]

I use a changing bag but would like to get one of these:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/25001-Photoflex-Changing-Room

 

[M Carter]

Biggest thing with the changing bag is gather up all your stuff - scissors, opener, etc. Can't tell you how many times it's "D*MN IT!!" and I pull back out of the sleeves to go find a pair of scissors or something... and then go back in and realize I put something between the 2 zippers so I can feel it but can't use it... yes, I'm a doofus like that...

 

[cliveh]

Biggest thing with the changing bag is gather up all your stuff - scissors, opener, etc. Can't tell you how many times it's "D*MN IT!!" and I pull back out of the sleeves to go find a pair of scissors or something... and then go back in and realize I put something between the 2 zippers so I can feel it but can't use it... yes, I'm a doofus like that...

Not if you start loading the spiral in daylight.