Getting started with printing

[wintoid]

I'm not saying I'm going to do this, but just thinking about it. What do I need to get started with printing?

I already develop my negs and scan them. I know you only need a few measuring jugs, changing bag, development tank, and chemicals. What's the bare minimum kit for printing, and how cheap can it be?

 

[keensb]

an enlarger

 

[Nachkebia]

I also need to start printing! 🙂

 

[nk.]

*note: All of the equipment I mention below is in addition to what you have aready have.

If you just want to contact print, the set up would cost almost nothing. A minimal setup would be a darkroom, 4 trays, a light source, paper developer such as dektol, stop bath if you don't have any already (fixer and stop are the "same" for film and paper), a piece of glass, paper, and a source of running water (doesn't need to be in the darkroom necessarily, but it's handy).

If you want to enlarge your negatives, it's a little bit more expensive initially because you need an enlarger. A setup for enlarging, again minimal, would be the equipment mentioned above, an enlarger, an enlarging lens, a timer for the enlarger, a negative carrier for the enlarger and format you wish to work with, a set of filters, and an easel of some sort.

Those are both minimal set up--equipment that you cannot do without. It's probably a wise idea to invest in some tongs and a washing attachment or a print washer.

I couldn't tell you in terms of off the shelf prices. You should buy most of this equipment used anyway. You could probably scrounge most of the equipment for contact printing for literally nothing. Maybe you would have to buy the glass and pay someone to grind the edges of the glass, but that would cost you at most 5 USD.
Given that so many places are abandoning film, you might be able to find an enlarger (with lens, timer, negative carriers, and easel) for free or really cheap (under $50). Unfortunately the re is a great degree of variability here. You might have to spend more money on an enlarger, but you'll probably be getting nicer equipment.

Chemicals are v. cheap. Paper is expensive. Expect to pay (on the low end) ~50 USD for 100 sheets of 8x10 RC and ~70 USD for 100 sheets of 8x10 FB if you are using Ilford MG. Filters if you don't get them with your enlarger are in the 30-50 USD price range in my experience.

In the right market, I think I could put everything together assuming a free enlarger for less than 100 USD including one box of RC paper and chemicals. Certainly, no matter where you are, it should be a less than 500 USD affair with paper and chemicals.

 

[Xmas]

Find some oldster whi needs a good home for his enlarger, trays, glazer etc.

Noel

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Here is a source for lower cost photo paper:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/clearance.php?wcat=99&man=

I would look at buying 100 sheets of Arista 8x10 RC to experiment with as you go up the learning curve. Should cost around $30 to $35.00 for the paper with shipping. Then after you have gained some experience you can buy some of the great Ilford paper.

Wayne

Edit:
OOPS!!! I see you are in the U.K. Never Mind, the shipping will kill you.

 

[wintoid]

Thanks for all the input, keep it coming. I'm still thinking.

 

[ruben]

If I had to start again from zero, there is a major mistake I would avoid repeating: enlarging with a cheap lens.
Printing is very much a self eye educating process. Printing with a bad lens out of false economy, is mis-educating the eye, with all the financial and time waist involved.
Beyond a good enlarging lens, as a Nikkor, the limit of space and savings is only upon your imagination skill.

On the positive side, I would again start upon the outstanding book guide of David Vestal (look at Amazon.com). Unsurpassed, by far.

Cheers,
Ruben

PS
Oh, I almost forgot, a darkroom without music is only a dark room.

 

[Fred]

I started home 'wet' printing 4 yras ago, IMHO it was well worth it. Hardware off places like e*ay are cheap and I cannot stress enough that a good bottle (lens) is a good idea. I use a Nikon 50 and they are pretty good used for 35mm, currentlyt using a Durst Neonon (Japan) for 645 prints. Papaer is getting more expensive over the last six months but seems to be stabilizing in price these days.

Good luck!, you'll love it!

 

[350D_user]

Thanks for all the input, keep it coming. I'm still thinking.

If you attend a camera club, and if they have "Auction night"s, you might get yourself a bargain. I got my first enlarger last night... an MPP b+w universal enlarger... £10, in working order as well.

('scuse the makeshift darkroom... it's the only room in the house that has any available space for the monster)

 

[Alejandro CD]

I am going to start printing B/W too. Because i can't set up my darkroom at home i am going to try a local darkroom based in a civic center. For 24€ i can use an equiped darkroom for 10 sessions (3 hours each one). It's kinda self-service. I just got to take my own photographic paper.

Maybe you should look for something like that where you live.

Cheers,

Alejandro