Rental Darkrooms

ColColt · Mar 22, 2016

I guess if I had my "druthers" I'd rather be printing a negative rather than scanning but, with my old darkroom uninhabitable I've had to resort to the latter. I decided to do a little googling to see if there were any rental darkrooms here like there use to be and hit a dead end. Google showed me several but upon calling them was told no and they didn't know why it even showed up on the Internet that they did do rentals. So, back to the Plustek, I suppose.

Wayne · Mar 22, 2016

Ilford was putting together a list a couple years ago but it doesn't seem to have much in it when you search http://www.ilfordphoto.com/photocommunity/darkroom.asp

There is also one here on APUG, buried deep in an old thread. I'm sure it's woefully outdated but its worth a try.

Wayne · Mar 22, 2016

Hmm...doesn't seem to have much outside the UK

http://www.localdarkroom.com/

oh yes it does...you just need to use the dropdown menu

canvassy · Mar 22, 2016

There appears to be a Nashville Community Darkroom if you're near there. And it looks like they're waiving the application fee until 3/31.

https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleCommunityDarkroom
http://nashvillecommunitydarkroom.org/

ColColt · Mar 22, 2016

Wayne said:
Hmm...doesn't seem to have much outside the UK

http://www.localdarkroom.com/

oh yes it does...you just need to use the dropdown menu

Didn't work. When i clicked on the "Find Locations" it never connected. Nashville is way too far...about 180 miles.

Wayne · Mar 22, 2016

ColColt said:
Didn't work. When i clicked on the "Find Locations" it never connected. Nashville is way too far...about 180 miles.

Yeah sorry about that. I remember that website totally sucked (at least for the US) when they first put it up and nothing seems to have changed since then. I don't know if APUG has a regional geographic group for your area but you might try posting there if there is one. I'd also call any remaining stores in your nearest city that carry analog photo materials, and any local art museums or institutes if any.

ColColt · Mar 22, 2016

It's a shame. I remember when there were at least two and a school where photography was taught that you could use. I still have the darkroom but all the chemicals I once had have to be totally defunct by now as it's been about 15 years since the darkroom was operative. I still have chemicals but even though most are powder form they must be bad by now. I'd have to get plumbers to come out and replace all the seals in the faucets as they haven't been turned on in years and would no doubt leak after all this time.

There is but one old camera dealer here that still carries some film. I'll call them tomorrow and see if they know of a place.

David Brown · Mar 22, 2016

Rental darkrooms are mostly a thing of the past. There is simply not enough market. Your best bet might be a local college or junior college that has a darkroom, although it might mean that you will have to sign up for and take a class to get access to the darkroom.

Having said that, we're fortunate in Dallas in that there is a small one in a shop that specializes in rather high end framing. Otherwise, a local studio that teaches all types of photography classes is in the process of building a teaching darkroom, that will be available for use to individuals that have taken the requisite classes, not unlike a college.

Luckless · Mar 22, 2016

It seems to be getting to the point where a lot of community effort may be needed to keep photography alive and easily accessible. Bring the issue up with local photo clubs, and organizations like libraries, schools/colleges, arts guilds, and such. It may take a fair amount of work on your own end to get things rolling, but if an existing darkroom for public access isn't a thing, then maybe enough support can be drummed up to create one in one manner or another.

ColColt · Mar 22, 2016

My old darkroom(wet side)...I miss it.

img122DrkRm by David Fincher, on Flickr

Circa 1982

img123DrkRm by David Fincher, on Flickr

paul ron · Mar 22, 2016

I used a rental darkroom in NYC in 1970 because I hadn't set mine up in my new apartment yet n what a disappointing experience it was.

The water was freezing cold, the enlarger wasn't properly aligned and the side panels by the enlarger reflected like crazy causing all sorts of fog on my prints. The easel was a piece of junk with wobbling blades that were taped together so you couldn't adjust it. The focusing drive on the Omega D3 enlarger was jumpy.

But that's what you get when you share with the public I guess.

paul ron · Mar 22, 2016

ColColt said:
My old darkroom(wet side)...I miss it.

img122DrkRm by David Fincher, on Flickr

Circa 1982

img123DrkRm by David Fincher, on Flickr

Beautiful setup!

ColColt · Mar 22, 2016

paul ron said:
I used a rental darkroom in NYC in 1970 because I hadn't set mine up in my new apartment yet n what a disappointing experience it was.

The water was freezing cold, the enlarger wasn't properly aligned and the side panels by the enlarger reflected like crazy causing all sorts of fog on my prints. The easel was a piece of junk with wobbling blades that were taped together so you couldn't adjust it. The focusing drive on the Omega D3 enlarger was jumpy.

But that's what you get when you share with the public I guess.

Sounds like a horrible experience. Mine wasn't near that bad when I rented.

ColColt · Mar 22, 2016

paul ron said:
Beautiful setup!

Not even close to being as nice as some I've seen on APUG but it was sufficient and did the job.

eddie · Mar 22, 2016

ColColt said:
I still have the darkroom but all the chemicals I once had have to be totally defunct by now as it's been about 15 years since the darkroom was operative. I still have chemicals but even though most are powder form they must be bad by now. I'd have to get plumbers to come out and replace all the seals in the faucets as they haven't been turned on in years and would no doubt leak after all this time.

You still have the darkroom, and your only worry is some potential plumbing repairs, and replacing some old chemicals? I'd get it back up and running. $50 in new chemicals, and (maybe) $100-150 in plumbing repairs to have the ability to work anytime you want, rather than scheduling/traveling to a rental darkroom seems like an easy choice. At $25 per rental session (number plucked from the air. I have no idea what rentals cost), you'll break even on refurbishing yours in 6-8 rentals. And, you won't run into mishandled equipment.

ColColt · Mar 23, 2016

There's a lot more to it than just having some plumbers come out and chemicals replaced. Around here you won't get plumbers to come out and do the most simplistic of repairs for under $250 and the last time I looked if you replenish all your chemistry you're in for a shock if you haven't bought any lately. I had large containers of Sodium Carbonate, Metol, Potassium Permanganate, Hydroquinone, Sodium Sulfite, etc. that you won't replace for $50. One pound of Metol alone will cost you that.

But, that's not the whole story. That room was turned into a part junk room and reloading room and there's little space anywhere to move it all.

mgb74 · Mar 23, 2016

Eddie is right; for $50 you can mail order film devl, print devl, stop, and fixer. Your specialty chemicals would be more expensive, but they aren't necessary. If you can reload, you can certainly replace faucet washers. As to "junk and reloading room", that's just a matter of priorities and what you feel is best for you.

I help out at a local community darkroom. I try to keep it very functional but even I prefer to work in my own (smaller) darkroom.

ColColt · Mar 23, 2016

I can replace washers and have but for this setup there is no shutoff in the house. I have to go out in the front yard to do that. I live alone so by the time I get the faucets fixed(or think I have), go back in the yard and turn on the main and get back inside I may have a mess. I'd rather do three electrical jobs than one plumbing.

Priorities? I have no where else to put the reloading gear and don't want to tear it down (I still use it at times), try and find boxes for it and where to put it all. I'd love having the darkroom back but too much hassle to do so.

Wayne · Mar 23, 2016

ColColt said:
There's a lot more to it than just having some plumbers come out and chemicals replaced. Around here you won't get plumbers to come out and do the most simplistic of repairs for under $250 and the last time I looked if you replenish all your chemistry you're in for a shock if you haven't bought any lately. I had large containers of Sodium Carbonate, Metol, Potassium Permanganate, Hydroquinone, Sodium Sulfite, etc. that you won't replace for $50. One pound of Metol alone will cost you that.

But, that's not the whole story. That room was turned into a part junk room and reloading room and there's little space anywhere to move it all.

You won't replace large quantities for $50 but you can buy a pound of hydroquinone and pounds of carbonate and sulfite and all the Metol you'll need for a while. But you definitely won't get a plumber for $150. And you'll need paper, but that's not too expensive.

Maybe you could hook up the plumbing yourself and just have the plumber come make sure its up to code?

ColColt · Mar 23, 2016

Everything is still hooked up just like before except I know the two faucets would leak. The seals are old. I put it all in in 1981-82 best I recall and it hasn't been used since around 1998 so, I know they'll leak.

Trey · Mar 25, 2016

If anyone is looking for a rental darkroom in NYC, I highly recommend Dead Link Removed. Very clean and surprisingly large.

bdial · Mar 25, 2016

If Knoxville is too far, Brattleboro VT is way too far, but if you make it up this way, Vermont Center for Photography has a nice rental darkroom.
(and pretty soon the weather will be decent).

As for your space, shut the water off, and install a couple of isolation valves. If you use the Sharkbite fittings, etc. there is no soldering needed. Then you can repair or mod things as needed with no impact to the rest of the house.

mgb74 · Mar 25, 2016

Just a (positive) comment on the Sharkbite fittings. I used them (the brass, Sharkbite brand fittings) to transition from the Pex in my house to copper. I know that sounds backward, but I know how to use copper and my darkroom fittings needed solder connections anyway.

I was leery and even installed a "trap door" so I could monitor any leakage. No issues in the 5 years they've been in use.

jvo · Mar 27, 2016

see how many apuggers are in the area, buy a case of beer, invite them out for a day of rehabbing and get it all done - enjoyably! just a thought... good luck.

jvo

destroya · Mar 28, 2016

i find the best deal for me for when I want to print many days or weeks in a row ( I only set up my temp darkroom in the laundry room once every 4 months or so for marathon printing sessions) is to sign up for a film photo class at my local junior college. I am real lucky to have a great one very close to where I live with an amazing lab, teachers and volunteers in the darkroom, many of whom are active or recently retired film photo guys. For $150 I get access to the darkroom 5 days a week for 4-8 hours a day for 3-4 months at a time. best deal around.

Rental Darkrooms

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