Well, I've done it.

Christopher Walrath · Feb 1, 2006

I have started down the road that leads to my very own dark room, meager as it might be. I have had a tank and reels for some time now and I opened a roll of film yesterday to start to learn to load it. I bought a 12" squeegee and a funnel today and will put these in my new 'Darkroom Stuff' box, awaiting the day for a place to put them and more things to put them with. I want to be up and running in 15 months. Any suggestions? Thanks, folks.

ricksplace · Feb 1, 2006

15 months? How about 15 days! Congrats and welcome to the dark side.

Christopher Walrath · Feb 1, 2006

I wish. Moo-lah and Moo-ving pose a present problem. Developing will come quickly, printing will take a little more.

gainer · Feb 1, 2006

For a long time, our upstairs bathroom was my darkroom. Bath was by appointment only. I also used to make microfilm for indoor model airplanes in the bathtub. If you don't know what that is, it's too long a story to tell. Suffice it to say I was a member of the Brainbusters Model Airplane club at NASA. The miracle was I stayed married for 47 years. Death did us part.

Thomassauerwein · Feb 1, 2006

A lot of highschools and colleges are literly giving away equipment you might try there. Swap meets and old camera stores have analog stuff tucked away in corners. You have picked the rite time to scavenger your way into analog. I just found 2 glass grad filters 5 inch that sell new for over 100.00 each. Bought them for 8.00. So it is out there just put on your sherlock hat and start digging. Have fun!

athanasius80 · Feb 1, 2006

Welcome to the dark side!

jim appleyard · Feb 1, 2006

I'm going to hear about it from some, but do yourself a favor and *NEVER* use that squeegee on your film! Sooner or later you'll get nasty scratches your film. Using a squeegee is like smoking; don't start and you'll be ok.

Daniel Lawton · Feb 2, 2006

When I first got started I went to Barnes and Noble and read every darkroom and film book I could get my hands on. No kidding I probably spent weeks in there if you add all the time up together lol! The best method of learning is doing, but reading and absorbing info in books and articles definitely accelerated the process (at least for me) and prevented some long term headaches. Shoot lots of film and print often, but most of all have fun doing it. Good luck!
Dan

Shmoo · Feb 2, 2006

Also, check out "Craig's list" online...lots of local gear is sold that way and inexpensively. I got a great deal on a clean Beseler 45 MCRX with 2 lenses (both Schneider), 3 negative holders and a small easel for $350. Since the seller was moving, I got about 3 boxes of "other stuff" (film hangers, stainless steel tanks, KRST, trays, etc.).

Blighty · Feb 2, 2006

jim appleyard said:
I'm going to hear about it from some, but do yourself a favor and *NEVER* use that squeegee on your film! Sooner or later you'll get nasty scratches your film. Using a squeegee is like smoking; don't start and you'll be ok.

This is good advice, Flash. Get up and running ASAP, that's my only advice. Welcome to the 'dark side'. Regards, Blighty.

Christopher Walrath · Feb 2, 2006

Tahnks everybody and one step ahead, Dan. B&N is my second home. have AA's The Negative and just purchased big yellow 'Into your Darkroom Step by Step'. Thanks again, guys.

avandesande · Feb 2, 2006

I got a 23cII for 30$ off of ebay. The seller got it at a local auction and described it as not working and didn't know why (knew nothing about enlargers). She okayed local pickup, so I didn't pay shipping. Turns out that it was the timer that was broken, which I don't use anyway. It came with lens and 35mm film holder that she didn't describe in the auction.
You can get good deals on ebay if you do research and you are patient.

ricksplace · Feb 2, 2006

Another suggestion would be to put an ad in your local want ads. I did this for a friend a few years ago and simply stated "Wanted, old darkroom and photographic equipment" I received several calls. A durst 606 setup with two lenses and trays etc. for $75 and a beseler 23c with the colour head and condensor, neg holders, etc. for $50. The stuff is out there, all you have to do is ask.

Well, I've done it.

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