Cost expected for a small Darkroom

[Maxapple88]

Hi,

I'm planning to get together a "home darkroom" in the bathroom. I'll need an enlarger, trays, running water, red light, darkness and...?

How much would I expect to pay? If people could kindly assemble some lists of what they would plan.

Cheers,
Max

 

[David Goldfarb]

These days, you might just get someone's darkroom that they are getting rid of for the cost of hauling it away. Do you have craigslist in your location?

 

[ibcrewin]

I'm not much help, but everything I have from the reels to the paper, enlarger, chemistry was all pretty much free.. I did spend $20 bucks to get my first enlarger, 3 rolls of bulk film and a loader.

Craigslist is your friend. If you see something you might be interested in, make them an offer. Most of the time, people just want it out of the house.

Ivan

 

[ibcrewin]

not sure where you are but this is in NYC..


http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/pho/658090347.html

I'm sure you could offer 250-275 and get a pretty good start. Maybe start at 175, which is a little less than half off.

 

[venchka]

Spread the word. Here. Other forums. Darkrooms will come your way. I got one darkroom by asking a member of another forum if he knew where I could get a 4x5 darkroom. The next day he put me in touch with a really nice Omega D5 color enlarger and goodies. Without even asking, another nice person offered me her Omega Pro Lab B66 and ALL the things needed. Total cost: time and gasoline to get the stuff.

Ask and ye shall get!

 

[Maxapple88]

Sounds good 🙂

Unfortunately I haven't found anything in Craigslist London. Strange..

 

[nikon_sam]

I can only repeat what's been said...Craigslist would be a great place to start...garage sales, believe it or not can be another source...
If you can find it locally that would be the best way...it will save you the shipping cost...
Local Camera Swap Meets...look under the tables...that's where the real bargains hide...

 

[BigSteveG]

Sound like your list is complete for a basic setup. Don't forget your thermometer, tongs, something to hang the film with for drying ( I use a coat hanger and clothepins. A film squeegee (not everyone likes them, but I do). A print squeegee. A processing tank is needed for roll film. You'll also need an easel. The fixed print size are easy to work with and very cheap used. You may want to consider some "convenience" items since everything is so cheap now. Items like, film dryers, print washers (fiber prints) and drying screens are being given away these days. Have fun with it!!!

 

[Sjixxxy]

I'd also file running water as a luxary item, not a need. A few empyt gallon jugs and a place to fill & empty them is enough to get by. I've done it for a few years while I was in less then ideal living conditions for having a darkroom.

 

[nikon_sam]

Like I said in Reply #7..."even a garage sale..."
Just picked up a bunch of Darkroom stuff including a Beseler 23CII w/Dichro 23dga Colorhead enlarger...
I'm keeping a few items and selling the rest...since I have an enlarger this one will be for sale soon...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Anything from free to £20,000+

As others say, I'd try for free to begin with...

Lots of people will give away stuff 'free to a good home' if they know it will be used. One of my friends was recently GIVEN a Focomat IIc.

Go along to your local camera club...

Cheers,

R.

 

[pesphoto]

im building mine now and I got a 6ft sink for FREE, a prehung door for $10.
Luckily I already had most of the other stuff like enlarger, etc. But if you search it's out there.

oh...and if you have a birthday coming up ask for gift certificates to Home Depot. I got about $200 this way and was able to buy all my 2x4 's and then some.....

 

[Anupam]

I spent about $50 for my 35mm bathroom darkroom. About $200 for my proper 4x5 one.

The London Craigslist sucks, though. You might try Gumtree.

 

[Austerby]

Freecycle is your best bet (start at www.freecycle.org) - the stuff there really is free. There are various London chapters. I have an old Krokus 35mm enlarger in SE7 if you'd like it then PM me.

 

[kully]

You're in London? I can sort you out with a (Gnome) enlarger and trays and stuff - as long as you collect.

Also a print glazer, print dryer, dev tanks, trays, toners, paper dev... Lots of stuff actually

Just need to pick it up from Reading.