Safelight filters (I know it's been done before)

So here's my situation, our school darkroom is moving to another building (before the end of semester and I know it's stupid but that's for another time). And it's like no one in admin could see that we would need new quarters although THEY all knew this move was coming for years. So we are moving into a temp facility. Our beautiful Thomas safelights will be stored and we are out of luck for now. Our eventual new digs will be grand but for right now we are back to Kodak 10x12 utility safelights and frankly the filters in these beasts are well past expiration. No budget for good filters, no new filters to be found at any price for these big beasts. So, given that I need to use these guys, my boss being very conservative and totally deaf to suggestions about LED's can you suggest an alternative?

Something like Rosco Flame 019 with some sort of diffuser material sandwiched between glass sheets or a source for the plastic Doran OC 10x12's? I have seen a few Kodak 8x10 filters and Ilford still lists SF902's in 8x10 but what about 10x12's?

Oh and we're moving Thursday! Maybe. Admin hasn't given us a date yet. [Insert primal scream here.]

Hi Mike,

I have a creative Australian idea, if you can get 8x10's easy why not make a wood adapter for them ? I am sure you have access to a wood working shop. you just need a board the same size as your current filters... 10x12 and have a hole cut 1/4 inch smaller than a 8x10 filter. Fit a frame or even just glue them with a few dots of silicone sealent and seal with black duct tape.

Johnkpap

Johnkpap said:

Hi Mike,

I have a creative Australian idea, if you can get 8x10's easy why not make a wood adapter for them ? I am sure you have access to a wood working shop. you just need a board the same size as your current filters... 10x12 and have a hole cut 1/4 inch smaller then fit a frame or even just glue them with a few dots of silicone sealent and seal with black duct tape.

Johnkpap

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It may come to that.

Mike, I think I have 2 10x12 OC filters. I literally put these into the trash in my darkroom at one point, I just couldn't toss them. They are yours if you want them. I'm in Coralville . I just ran down and checked they are perfectly usable, no crinkled gelatin etc.
Let me know. I have 3 Thomas safelights in my darkroom, I bought a 4th the other day (you just never know ) $35 bucks and it works.
Free is Good right!
Mike

mshchem said:

Mike, I think I have 2 10x12 OC filters. I literally put these into the trash in my darkroom at one point, I just couldn't toss them. They are yours if you want them. I'm in Coralville . I just ran down and checked they are perfectly usable, no crinkled gelatin etc.
Let me know. I have 3 Thomas safelights in my darkroom, I bought a 4th the other day (you just never know ) $35 bucks and it works.
Free is Good right!
Mike

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Sounds good, I'll PM you and glad to send you something for shipping!

Dear darkroommike,

Your idea for the Rosco #19s will work without issue. Just attach them to the current filters with a light spray of photo mounting cement. Just enough to keep them in place. Use a small cfl and there will be no heat issues. I have done this with a Kodak 10x12 and it works.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

Mike

How about rubylith. It comes in large enough sheets and with an adhesive side. Just cut to size and the rest can be used to make masks.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

I put these in my Thomas, as many have, and it's working perfectly..http://www.ebay.com/itm/360224014980?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Sneak a couple of these into your darkrooms and see if the boss even notices: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DJD78IM/ref=od_aui_bia_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

darkroommike said:

Sounds good, I'll PM you and glad to send you something for shipping!

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Mike, You should have the filters on your front porch on Friday. Use in good health. No charge. Just keep teaching kids how to print!
Best Regards, Mike

MattKing said:

Sneak a couple of these into your darkrooms and see if the boss even notices: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DJD78IM/ref=od_aui_bia_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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The trick, Matt, is to get anything non-traditional approved since the darkroom is on State School property.

mshchem said:

Mike, You should have the filters on your front porch on Friday. Use in good health. No charge. Just keep teaching kids how to print!
Best Regards, Mike

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Got 'em a day early and thanks for your donation. Those are some really good looking filters. We're all packed and about half of our boxes are over in the new digs so the painter came and moved everything into the middle of the room, what a mess!

+2 on the rubylith, but it looks like you already have your problem sorted. By the way, rubylith is better than Roscoe Fire. Ask me how I know.....

Just as a postscript:

• Thanks to all who contributed your time and knowledge to this post.
• And a big SA-LUTE (as they used to say on Hee-Haw) to Mike (mshchem) who quickly came through with a couple of gorgeous 10x12 OC filters!
• I need to point out, that working for the State of Iowa, that some of the less traditional solutions won't work since anything not approved is strictly verboten, so Rubylith in contact with heat or LED ropes are a no no, Rosco gels are made for hot fixtures, so are allowed. It may not make sense but state governments never make sense. Back when new cameras were still available, we had a purchasing freeze and couldn't buy new even when new cost less than rebuilding the old cameras because repairs were charged to a different line in the budget.
• And my immediate boss is also very Old School when it comes to some of this stuff.