Paterson Photographic Darkroom Film And Print Processing Kit Info

[Hubigpielover]

Hey everyone. I am one step closer to finally having a darkroom and ran across this eBay listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paterson-Ph...nd-Print-Processing-Kit-PTP-572-/201376530038

I cannot find this kit in the US but if I did it seems like a good price. I think it is a good deal on eBay except for the $40 shipping.

1) is this a good deal (less shipping)
2) does anyone know where I can get this in the US
3) if not does anyone know a UK photo company that won't kill me in shipping

Thanks y'all

 

[klownshed]

http://www.patersonphotographic.com/international-dealers.htm

 

[Molli]

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/5054-Arista-Premium-Darkroom-Kit

Would a kit for half the price from Freestyle help? I only glanced at it and I'm not sure if I remember seeing a safelight included, but they sell those individually there anyway.

 

[R.Gould]

You buy these things seperately cheaper, even the kit can be got cheaper, I would say that it is not the best deal around

 

[Hubigpielover]

http://www.patersonphotographic.com/international-dealers.htm

Thanks, I didn't see that. To busy looking at the UK site.

 

[Hubigpielover]

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/5054-Arista-Premium-Darkroom-Kit

Would a kit for half the price from Freestyle help? I only glanced at it and I'm not sure if I remember seeing a safelight included, but they sell those individually there anyway.

How are their tanks? Pretty easy to load?

 

[Hubigpielover]

You buy these things seperately cheaper, even the kit can be got cheaper, I would say that it is not the best deal around

So I figured it would be cheaper to get it all rolled in one but you were right. Here is my wishlist and has extra, a darkroom bag, two books for keeping track of my progress, and a loupe for 184.00

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/wishlist.jsp#/

Also dig the shots of the beach.

 

[MattKing]

So I figured it would be cheaper to get it all rolled in one but you were right. Here is my wishlist and has extra, a darkroom bag, two books for keeping track of my progress, and a loupe for 184.00

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/wishlist.jsp#/

I think we have to log in as you in order to see your wish list.
I don't know whether it is possible to make your B&H wish list public.

 

[Hubigpielover]

I think we have to log in as you in order to see your wish list.
I don't know whether it is possible to make your B&H wish list public.

Should be public now. I forgot to turn it off of private. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/wishlist.jsp#/BBDE6925A3/

 

[MattKing]

How are their tanks? Pretty easy to load?

Yes - particularly for 120 film.
Be sure to get the "Premium" version. The "Classic" version isn't as easy to load (with 120 film).
Both the "Premium" reels and the "Classic" reels will also work well with Paterson tanks, so you can decide later to acquire both larger and smaller Paterson tanks, and use them with your reels.
When I'm not using stainless steel reels, I use the "Premium" Arista reels (branded as "AP" and "Samigon" and others) in Paterson tanks.

 

[MattKing]

Should be public now. I forgot to turn it off of private. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/wishlist.jsp#/BBDE6925A3/

Looks quite good. Without more knowledge of the space you have I'm not in a position to recommend which sizes of trays you should have, but in my case, 11"x14"/12"x16" trays get used a lot more than my 8"x10" trays.
I think the last time I bought/received a whole bunch of new darkroom equipment was just under 50 years ago.
Be sure to share the experience .

 

[Hubigpielover]

Looks quite good. Without more knowledge of the space you have I'm not in a position to recommend which sizes of trays you should have, but in my case, 11"x14"/12"x16" trays get used a lot more than my 8"x10" trays.
I think the last time I bought/received a whole bunch of new darkroom equipment was just under 50 years ago.
Be sure to share the experience .

11x14 should fit...I am putting them on a a piece of plywood in a standard bath tub. Looking forward to get this ball rolling even if it is on piece at a time.

 

[Molli]

One piece at a time is how I put my darkroom together (99% Second Hand items) and my piece of plywood is on an ironing board - adjustable height in case I have a sudden growth spurt

 

[Hubigpielover]

One piece at a time us how I put my darkroom together (99% Second Hand items) and my piece of plywood is on an ironing board - adjustable height in case I have a sudden growth spurt

Man it that the truth about everything. I keep my eyes open for used stuff but some of these schmucks charge way to much.

 

[Molli]

A lot of things can be so much cheaper if you don't buy things that are "photography specific" like storage containers and graduates.I bought one second hand graduate and only just used it last week after having it for nearly a decade. Even then, it's only found a use because I finally started making my own developers from scratch. For making up working solutions and pouring into tanks or trays, I just bought some plastic jugs from the $2 Shop (the price of the jugs is implied!) For storing Stop and Fix Working Solutions I re-use water bottles (all previous labels cleaned off and re-labelled appropriately). My D76 stock solution is decanted into eight or nine jam, pasta sauce and vegemite glass jars.
As for note taking, I have a spiral bound book that fits in a small back pack easily enough and film exposure, development and print details all go into it. There are tabbed index cards dividing up the months and the front cover has the date range and roll/sheet film range specified. I think the notebooks cost me all of two dollars each, also.

 

[Hubigpielover]

pasta sauce

Woah, woah, woah......pasta sauce does not come in a jar. It is lovingly made on the stove from scratch. I make the best red sauce with meatballs. Now I am hungry. My BHphoto wishlist is just to help me remember. I will get my jars and beakers from other places.

In fact....I will get my jars from these guys. http://www.specialtybottle.com/glass-bottles/beverage/jugs-growlers/32oz-jug32a. No minimum order, less than half of what BHphoto charges.

 

[Molli]

I didn't say they were my pasta sauce jars!
At any rate, good luck with acquiring all of your bits and bobs there; I'm positive you'll start seeing a darkroom use in every strange knick knack you happen upon from here on out and that you'll have everything you need before you know it

 

[Hubigpielover]

I didn't say they were my pasta sauce jars!
At any rate, good luck with acquiring all of your bits and bobs there; I'm positive you'll start seeing a darkroom use in every strange knick knack you happen upon from here on out and that you'll have everything you need before you know it

True enough! Thanks for the the tips.

 

[MattKing]

11x14 should fit...I am putting them on a a piece of plywood in a standard bath tub. Looking forward to get this ball rolling even if it is on piece at a time.

Instead of a piece of plywood I heartily recommend wire shelving: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.adjustable-shelves-4ft-to-8ft.1000522606.html
Most places will cut it to length for you.
Until recently I've been using two pieces - one reversed and on top of the other, and both resting on the rim of the tub.
Now I'm separating the two pieces with three stack-able plastic bins placed side by side - much better for the back: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=939&ProductCategory=180&section=1

 

[Hubigpielover]

Instead of a piece of plywood I heartily recommend wire shelving: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.adjustable-shelves-4ft-to-8ft.1000522606.html
Most places will cut it to length for you.
Until recently I've been using two pieces - one reversed and on top of the other, and both resting on the rim of the tub.
Now I'm separating the two pieces with three stack-able plastic bins placed side by side - much better for the back: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=939&ProductCategory=180&section=1

Yeah, I'd imagine it being rough on my back but my bathroom is long and narrow. Don't think I can fit bins anywhere. Might have to figure something else or just let it slide until I can build a dedicated darkroom.

 

[MattKing]

Yeah, I'd imagine it being rough on my back but my bathroom is long and narrow. Don't think I can fit bins anywhere. Might have to figure something else or just let it slide until I can build a dedicated darkroom.

The lower wire rack is on top of the tub. The bins are on top of it. The second wire rack is supported by the bins.

 

[Hubigpielover]

Ahhhhhhhhh, that makes sense and I can save my back.

Awesome

 

[Hubigpielover]

How many gallon jugs and other size containers do I need?

 

[MattKing]

How many gallon jugs and other size containers do I need?

The answer depends on what you decide to do, which versions of chemicals you choose and how much space you have for storage.
I make a lot of use of US 1/2 gallon juice containers, because those containers fit into medium size bins which in turn fit into the storage space I have available.
These are the containers I use (I like Clamato juice)

The contents are consumed, the labels are removed, the remnants are thoroughly washed and rinsed out and new labels are added by me.
I do a fair bit of toning, so between my film replenishment regime, re-use of film fix, temporary between sessions storage of some or all of my working strength printing chemicals and my re-usable toning chemicals sometimes I may have as many as 10 of these on the go at one time.
I also have a big, 4.25 litre jug with a lid that I pour spent fixer into for taking over to my friends who harvest the silver out of it.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

The problem with some kits is that you pay for things you may never use. Better to buy as you need and take your time.