Have I missed the boat

[geordifish]

I am comeing up to retirement and as a very young man dipped my toe in B&W developement and printing.

With all the time I will now have I would like to start again.
Iwill be a complete learner.

Has time and technology overtaken me ?

Will I be able to get chmicles .Paper, a black and white enlarger or has it all gone digital.
I have m anualSLRs and a Zorki 1 and 4.

Just allways thought it magic when the picture apeared in the tray.

😕

 

[VictorM.]

Do it! It is not too late. Supplies are available, but you may need to shop online.

 

[popstar]

All the needed equipment is still available, but maybe not in the shop down the street. There are enough retailers online that you can obtain whatever you need. In addition, keep your eyes open for ads in places like this. You may find a deal when you need one!

Also scan antique shops or used camera stores. Something is likely available there! Good luck and have fun!

 

[xayraa33]

welcome.. & as Vic says, do it.
it is like riding a bicycle, you never forget.
with Ilford and Kentmere still going in the UK you can buy all the supplies from the UK.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

www.bhphotovideo.com (US)

all the chemical, paper etc you will need, I'm sure there is an equivalent in the UK that other members may be able to direct you to. Robert White perhaps?

good luck

welcome to the forum 🙂

 

[Carlos Cruz]

nothing has really changed much I still use chemicals you'd use 50 years ago, and don't think there has been much novelties; maybe multigrade plastic based papers have dominated the market and if you want to use paperbased material have to spend more $$$.

 

[dpetrzelka]

Most big cities seem to have a photo chemical supply store, check the phone book, and www.Craigslist.com is great place to find cheap enlargers and developing equipment- many times people are giving them away.

Its so easy to learn-- go for it!

 

[Screwy]

You've picked the perfect time to start again in my opinion,The mass exodus to digital means you can pick up the contents of a darkroom for next to nothing , In some cases actually for nothing 😱 Check Ebay for equipment for sale locally and don't forget the local Free Adds papers 😉 maybe try a wanted add in your local free paper , Chemicals whilst not available in every photo shop these days are still available over the counter in some but as has been mentioned there's always online .

retrophotographic.com
thedarkroom.co.uk/

and probably many more sell film,chemicals and paper online or over the phone in the UK .



Paul

 

[zuikologist]

Welcome to the forum. As others have mentioned, the cost of analogue photo equipment is (mostly) ridiculously low and chemicals and paper still readily available.

RFF members are also a friendly, knowledgeable bunch with great experience and advice. Good luck with your renewed hobby.

 

[geordifish]

Thanks for the help .Iwill give it ago

 

[dagabel]

Yeah - go for it!

I just started developing my own B&W negatives last summer, thanks to the inspiration and knowledge shared on this forum. I actually purchased my daylight tank, reel, changing bag and some chemicals locally, and other chemicals online. This fall I took a further step of rolling my own bulk film, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

I don't do my own printing, as I don't have a satisfactory darkroom area (and I actually enjoy playing with the images in the GIMP), but who knows? A side benefit of developing my own 35mm film is that it has given me the confidence to try large format, where before the per image cost was a limiting factor. It also has me saving up for some medium format gear.

Good luck!
Duane

 

[350D_user]

A side benefit of developing my own 35mm film is that it has given me the confidence to try large format, where before the per image cost was a limiting factor. It also has me saving up for some medium format gear.

If you get them in your area, antique fairs are great places for dirt cheap medium format equipment. Have a photo of a Kodak Number 2 autographic, this thing uses 120 film.
View attachment 39432

Obviously, with equipment of such age, there's no guarantee that the stuff will work. This one in particular has light-leaks in the corners of the bellows (such cameras were prone to this), the red filmcounter window is also turning amber, so it's pretty much an ornament. But for £10, it's difficult to argue.

 

[clarence]

http://www.silverprint.co.uk/

http://www.secondhanddarkroom.co.uk/

I last visited silverprint near Waterloo, London a few weeks ago and they had boxes of Kentmere fibre paper on sale.

 

[Xmas]

Only Kchrome 25 has gone, but others are likely to follow soon.

Single weight paper may be difficult.

People cut up 120 to make 127...

Some archane process are being brouht back.

In ten years things will have changed. Enjoy your retirement, day by day.

Noel