Total darkroom noob with a question...

abr · Jan 2, 2010

I have a bunch of boxes with darkroom stuff, and would love to dive into playing with it, but I honestly have no clue what I have or if it will suit my purposes. I'd like to be able to enlarge/print 6x6 and 6x7 black and white negatives. In one of the boxes, I have a new (in the box but no instructions) Rolleimat Universal enlarger with a 3.5/50 lens. Will that work for MF b&w film? I have a ton of other stuff, too, and I'm still trying to work on figuring out what it all is!

mopar_guy · Jan 2, 2010

I will take a stab at some basic answers.

I don't really know much about your enlarger or if it will cover 6x6 or 6x7 negatives but I suspect that your lens for the enlarger is more for 35mm. For medium format you should have a 75 or 80mm lens or for 6x9 a 100 or 105mm lens.

Here is a list of most of what you will need to process FILM:
film processing tank with a 120 reel,
chemical storage bottles for developer and fixer,
Graduates to mix chemicals,
film clips.

To make enlargements you will need:
enlarger,
an enlarging timer,
a suitable lens,
an easel,
enlarging paper.

To process paper you will need:
a set of three trays,
chemical storage bottles,
safelight,
a way to wash prints.

You will need to have a space to work in and it must have hot and cold water and a power source for the enlarger. Try to make an inventory of what you have and if you are not sure, give a description of the item and someone will try to help.

Dave

abr · Jan 2, 2010

Dave, thanks for the reply! That makes sense, because 50 is the normal length for 35mm, so it would be logical that a 50mm lens on an enlarger would correspond to 35mm negatives. I will dig around and see if there happens to be another lens in here somewhere, or start shopping for one that is the right size. As far as the space goes, I've been looking at darkroom pictures on here, but how much "dark" space do you really need? How much of the process can be done without total darkness? I have a closet I could use that is windowless and adjoins a bathroom with sinks, power, etc., but it holds clothes as well, so I'm concerned about the chemicals splashing onto the clothes. I could convert the bathroom itself part-time, but there is a large window I'd have to figure out a way to cover.

Craig Swensson · Jan 2, 2010

Covering a window is fairly basic, you can made a frame out of say 25mm x 25 mm timber, put two or three laterals on the inside, these are for strength and as handles. The frame should be about 4mm smaller than the window sash measurement.
Cover the frame with a blackout material, one or two layers to make it slot into window frame from the INSIDE. Make sure it fits real snug and check for light leaks, plug any leaks and you are ready to go. have fun.

mopar_guy · Jan 2, 2010

abr,

I have found a manual for this enlarger at:

http://www.darkroompro.com/pdf/enlargers/rollei_univ.pdf

I was also able to find some photos of one to look at and it seems that your enlarger should work for negatives up to 6x7.

Dave

fotch · Jan 2, 2010

hey abr,

Can you post some pictures of what you have or need explanations on?

Good luck with your adventure into the dark.

abr · Jan 2, 2010

Thanks guys! I think I'll buy some blackout fabric and try to make something to cover the window. Thanks for the instructions, paheka! I'm thrilled that the enlarger is going to work for up to 6x7 negatives - that's as big as I need, so I'll be set. (I guess, I should say for now... it seems like there is a trend toward larger and larger format cameras the longer you hang around this place, isn't there??)
Dave, thanks for the PDF manual- that's a huge help!
And fotch, yes - I will make a good spot to set it all out and then photograph the mystery items - great idea - thanks!

fschifano · Jan 5, 2010

I wouldn't be so sure. The manual points to "Rolliemat Universal." but if you look at the fine print on page 1 of the document, right under figure B, you'll see that two models of the enlarger are referenced. One is the Rolliemat 35 and the other, the Rolliemat 67. The Rolliemat 35 will only handle negatives up to 35 mm full frame, while the Rolliemat 67 will handle negatives up to 6x7 cm. You need to determine which one of these enlargers you have before you go spending money on inappropriate accessories.

tkamiya · Jan 5, 2010

I just covered my window with two layers of "contractor cleaning bag" from home center type stores. All this is, is an extra thick black and big garbage bag. I used painter's masking tape to tape them up to the window frame. Then use some extra to secure the corners. I doubt it'll last forever as these are usually made to degrade over time, but it certainly works fine for my setup. In a year, I'll replace it with the same. It's just easy, cheap, and effective.

moouers · Jan 6, 2010

tkamiya said:
I just covered my window with two layers of "contractor cleaning bag" from home center type stores. All this is, is an extra thick black and big garbage bag. I used painter's masking tape to tape them up to the window frame. Then use some extra to secure the corners. I doubt it'll last forever as these are usually made to degrade over time, but it certainly works fine for my setup. In a year, I'll replace it with the same. It's just easy, cheap, and effective.

I use that to block out the skylight. Works well.

grahamp · Jan 7, 2010

For years I used a room where I installed an internal uPVC double glazing framework and inserted hardboard in place of the glass. It meant only half of the window was usable for daylight by sliding one of the panels, but it worked fairly well. In another temporary setup I made a framed panel that was a close fit, and put felt and Velcro to seal the edges.

Total darkroom noob with a question...

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