Setting up a simple darkroom...

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Colin G.

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So I'm thinking of setting up my first darkroom and a simple one at that. One where I can just develop my negatives...no enlarging or printing. The room I intend to use is about 9x12 feet, it has one window, and no source of water. I primarily shoot Kodak TriX and Tmax.

Where do I start? What do I need? Any ideas about ventilation would be great. Are there any books that one recommends?

Thanks in advance...


 
All you need is a dark place to load the film (a changing bag) and a source of water that can be Temp. controlled. And, a dust free environment for film drying. Buy a tank, thermometer and the chemistry necessary. Look at a changing bag or tent if you have extra money.
 
Oh, I just saw that the thread I linked to in my previous post was about C-41 processing. However, the equipment needed is basically the same for B/W.
 
Whilst the advice above is sound, I've found that on occasion the temperature and humidity that can build up inside a changing bag make loading the film into the reel a bit tricky. I actually prefer to use a walk-in wardobe. I've stuck a strip of Velcro across the top of the door jamb and a corresponding strip across the top of a length of blackout cloth that is wider and longer than the door.
I take a small torch into the 'robe as the light switch is outside.
I take everything in, set it out on a shelf where I can go by 'touch', turn off the light and close the door. I then hang the blackout cloth over the entire door area with the black side facing the door (and hence any incoming light). I also pull the curtains and shut the doors in the adjoining bedroom to minimise any stray light. Works well. Everything after loading the tank is done in the laundry where I have a suitable bench, drainage and hot & cold water on tap. Thus far, you don't have to worry about ventilation.

You probably don't need a book. Ilford (in particular) give pretty full details in their film and chemical data sheets for their own products as well as those of major competitors and if you download them and follow them you'll be off to a good start. And there's lots of free (sometimes opinionated) advice available here on RFF. Kodak also have data sheets for download but they're possibly not quite as comprehensive as the Ilford ones. But as you intend using Kodak products probably that's where you should start off. And Roger Hicks' own web site has a ton (tonne) of information about all aspects of photography, including B&W film processing.

I also have my enlarger and everything else needed for that part of things neatly enclosed in a cupboard I made that sits on one end of the laundry bench. Take the front off, rotate the enlarger through 90 degrees and I'm just about ready to go. I treat the two doors in the laundry the same way as I've described for the 'robe and I make doubly sure about the window by securing a flat sheet of ply into the window opening and then hanging a piece of blackout material over that.
I recently ran an extra piece of ducting from the aircon system into the laundry as it can get a bit stifling in summer heat. As I can leave the gaps around (under) the doors untaped now the blackout material works so well, I'm expecting that there will be enough air movement to keep things comfortable.
 
From another perspective:

I have a printing "darkroom" that is about 4x12 (it is a hallway). It does not have water. I also use it for loading film and developing large format film. For a drain, I use a bucket, and I use pitchers to carry water into the room. All of the dark processing can be accomplished with ease, and only the final rinse needs a sink.

For light barriers, I used plastic that is sold for the purpose. It comes in rolled sheets, 4 ft x 16 ft x 6 mil thick. I hang it over the door and window, providing a light tight room.

Ventilation is a more significant problem. I would suggest blocking the window and installing a labyrinthine ducted vent through the window (assuming double-hung, you can install this similarly to a window air conditioner). Sourcing that might be an issue.

If I were you, I would consider making sure that I left enough space for an enlarger and dry side / wet side separation. You appear to have enough space for all of that.
 
Colin G. said:
Thanks so much for the useful replies and links. Never knew about changing bags...seems like a viable option.
Click to expand...

A word of caution, I no longer load 120 roll-film in a changing bag as my arms warm the inside to much and the film turns to fly-paper. Sticks and buckles. You may be OK, just try with a non-important roll first.

Steve.
 
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