Rental Darkrooms in Metro Boston???

TimVermont · Jun 6, 2008

I've sold my house, so have no darkroom for the time being. Does anyone know of a rental darkroom in the greater Boston area that is clean, and where I'd be able to process LF film?

Weekend access is a plus, although not a deal breaker. If the parking is easy, I can even bring my own JoBo processor & expert tanks.

Thanks!

Tim

bdial · Jun 6, 2008

Sigh, I know of one in Vermont, but not Boston.

removed account4 · Jun 6, 2008

hi tim

contact the boston photo co-op - 617-524-1720.
they used to rent darkrooms for b/w procesing and printing.
they are in jamacia plain.

good luck!

john

DrPablo · Jun 6, 2008

I thought there was space at NESOP in Kenmore Square too. Look around online, I found a few places at one point but then ended up just getting stuff for my own apartment.

removed account4 · Jun 6, 2008

you might need to be taking a class at nesop
to use their darkroom ..
at least that is how it was in the early 90s ...

its worth a call though ....
john

Drew B. · Jun 7, 2008

speaking of NESOP...they have some great workshops this summer for working pros.....

TimVermont · Jun 9, 2008

Boston Photo co-op: MIA if not totally gone.

Thanks John. The number doesn't work anymore, and I went by the old address in JP, and the new address in Dorchester. Nothing. I'm going to see if I can check out NESOP's offerings tonight after work.

Tim

jnanian said:
hi tim

contact the boston photo co-op - 617-524-1720.
they used to rent darkrooms for b/w procesing and printing.
they are in jamacia plain.

good luck!

john

removed account4 · Jun 9, 2008

hi tim

give bill lapatete a call: (617) 338-3836
he runs a pro-lab / rental lab.
you can process 35mm - 8x10 film
and print upto the same format
it is not a student/ gang darkroom
and has state of the art analog equipment.

he's located 6th floor 369 congress street.
i just got off the phone with him and he said
they are open weekdays and by appointment on
the weekends.

sorry the co-op was a dead-end ..

have fun!
john

pesphoto · Jun 9, 2008

The Co-op had nice darkrooms. Hope they arent out of business.....

winger · Jun 9, 2008

Someone at Newtonville Camera might know of one - 617 965 1240. They always had the ads for the co-op in with the darkroom stuff.

You could also find the Danforth Museum School out in Framingham and ask them. I used to take classes there and they had open time on Saturdays and you didn't have to be taking a class there. If you talk to the right person (no, I don't know who that is), you might be able to get time in there on your own schedule.

removed account4 · Jun 10, 2008

pesphoto said:
The Co-op had nice darkrooms. Hope they arent out of business.....

they went under ...
they moved from jp to dorchester, and
realized they were in an area that a lot of
folks didn't want to go to ( and it would have been a TON of work
to fix up the (raw)space to get it the way they wanted it to be )
so they moved a 2nd time ... and then ...

john

wgilar · Jun 10, 2008

Darkroom Rental In Boston

I have been using Bill LaPete's darkroom rental for a couple of years now. He has the lowest prices and the best equipment. Only $40.00 for a 12 hour day. Weekends are a little more. You can print any format up to 8x10 ( he has an amazing Durst 8x10 enlarger) and a film room with a Jobo. He is always available to help out too, so it's a great place for an expert as well as a beginner. He's located on Congress St. near the T, there is also plenty of parking in the area at $11.00 a day. His phone number is 617-338-3836.

TimVermont · Jun 10, 2008

Here's the run-down so far to help others in Boston who may be looking:
Boston Photo Co-op: as John said, toast. Too bad, the people who have used their JP space liked it.
NESOP: Expensive, but very clean, generous hours, max format size 4x5", no JoBo.
LaPete: Lots of good equipment, unfinished space with serious dust control issues, plumbing incomplete, so lots of back and forth to get tempered water, etc. Very cluttered. Runs his JoBo dry & cold, so subject to temperature drift during processing. I'd like to support him, but the setup is not encouraging.
Danforth Museum School: (did not visit this one yet) Open darkroom is listed in summer catalog, format limited to 35mm only.

winger · Jun 10, 2008

Danforth Museum School: (did not visit this one yet) Open darkroom is listed in summer catalog, format limited to 35mm only.

They did have Beseler 23Cs with one lens and carrier for 6x6. Even when I was suing them they weren't mentioning that in the brochures. They had a bunch of film tanks of assorted sizes, too.

wgilar · Jun 11, 2008

LaPete Darkroom Rental

TimVermont said:
Here's the run-down so far to help others in Boston who may be looking:
Boston Photo Co-op: as John said, toast. Too bad, the people who have used their JP space liked it.
NESOP: Expensive, but very clean, generous hours, max format size 4x5", no JoBo.
LaPete: Lots of good equipment, unfinished space with serious dust control issues, plumbing incomplete, so lots of back and forth to get tempered water, etc. Very cluttered. Runs his JoBo dry & cold, so subject to temperature drift during processing. I'd like to support him, but the setup is not encouraging.
Danforth Museum School: (did not visit this one yet) Open darkroom is listed in summer catalog, format limited to 35mm only.

I have been running my 4x5 film in LaPete's Jobo for two years and I have always used a tempered water jacket. He's never stopped me from doing that. If you simply tell Bill what you want he'll make it happen. I've never had any issues with dust either, not in the darkroom. It is an unfinished space and a bit cluttered but if you can't get great looking film and prints out of his darkroom you don't know what you're doing. All his enlargers are in perfect alignment and he has the only variable contrast cold light heads in Boston. If you're running film the water is filtered so there is never any dirt on the film. And by the way, he charges $40.00 including chemistry, $30.00 if you supply you're own, and he gives you a free day after three paid rentals. He is practically giving the place away in an attempt to keep traditional B&W alive and affordable. If more people would support him he would be able to afford to finish the plumbing. If they don't he'll be gone in a year and then NESOP at three times the price will be the only game in town...

Rental Darkrooms in Metro Boston???

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency