I...got...enlarger!

[btgc]

After you guys, set me on chems and I started developing b/w film I felt there's something incomplete simply scanning b/w film. So I had idea of stepping further and doubts if I need this.

In a word, I locally found compact enlarger, Soviet made UPA-720 which I got because I don't have room for full-sized unit. Next buying point were Vega-11U lens, which is referred as nice one among FSU-made enlarger lenses. And whole set - enlarger, masks (full frame, half-frame and tiny one, probably for subminiatures), easel, red lamp and even expired chemicals sitting in case with disintegrated foam, were cheap.

Today I replaced lamp and it seems that I can project sharp image on white paper. Have to clean condenser lenses, though. Projection lens is immaculate.

So now I'm looking for trays. Is timer a necessity for good prints or I can count clock ticks as some people do - what do you suggest?

Really, this seems to be refreshing turn in my photo journey.

 

[Ronald M]

Counting is not too accurate. Ansel Adams used a metronome. I find it good for dodging, but I loose track for total time.

Find a timer.

Clean the condensers carefully like a lens. Chips, dust, and scratches can show on prints.

 

[fidget]

Just use one of those kitchen timers. The digital type are great for my typical exposures of around 30s. Good too for developing film ~20 mins.

 

[pakeha]

really need a timer, some will say get the old non digi style[ with hands and alarm] i use a small digital that i use on the yacht for countdown starts during racing, digital or analouge up to you , whatever is accurate and and counts DOWN in seconds. Counting clock ticks is a pain. Some guy invented the clock so we dont have to do this anymore, enjoy

 

[Phantomas]

I'm just glad there's no possibility to use any space as printing facility in my house (even bathroom has a window through the roof) coz I can totally imagine creating a major pain in the a$5 for myself doing all the research and getting headache about enlargers, processes, etc. But I'm sure such time will come eventually, sigh.

 

[nikon_sam]

I would suggest a good repeatable timer (digital or analog) is up to you...I own both and prefer the digital...
Also, once you get everything together and are ready to print...make sure you have a spare bulb for the enlarger...

 

[batterytypehah!]

Not that I've tried this yet but...

Not that I've tried this yet but...

I'm only doing tank developing so far but if I ever need a darkroom timer I'm going to try my MP3 player first. A voice recording of myself counting the seconds. Free and accurate.

I'm not laying claim to this invention, undoubtedly someone has thought of it before.

BTW, I was just given a Polaroid 150 which, I understand, takes single 4x5 sheets without modification. So the need for a darkroom may manifest itself sooner than I thought.

 

[crawdiddy]

i use a small digital that i use on the yacht for countdown starts during racing

Dang, I completely forgot about using the timer from the yacht!

 

[Foto-factotum]

Try HP programable calculator

Try HP programable calculator

I have programmed my HP 50G that a time duration can be specified and an alarm (s) can sound. I use it to good effect to standardize agitation and development time of film. I am sure it will be usefull to set enlarging times.
( Any of the previous models; the 41 and 48 could do the same. )

One day, one day when I grow up I will enlarge my B&W stuff....

 

[btgc]

Thanks for advices, seems timer is thing to have.

And thanks for advice to have spare bulb - this should come from experience I guess, though is very true!

 

[btgc]

I've snatched trays by accident, unfortunately, two large and one small tray so I'm not done yet. Anyway I were going to obtain set of small and set of larger trays. For peanuts guy gave away his fathers photographic stuff, that includes also small knife for prints (probably useless), another tank (could use it for short time developing - to transfer reels from dev to stop bath), rolling press, another red lamp for darkroom, larger easel than I had before and electric prints dryer with two screens and canvas covering.

In a fact I could waste developer and go for first time with much larger trays than paper just to test workflow. I plan to get pack of small RC paper to work on workflow and exposure, and later get larger paper (will read more on FB) for prints I would hand on wall.

Any advices or warnings - I would be open to your opinions.

 

[btgc]

Today cleaned condenser and added several timers to my watchlist.

I'm etching to try existing setup without wide shelf to keep stuff on, without timer - just have to buy developer for paper. I just hope trays will not fall off limited support I have.

 

[btgc]

I mixed chemicals in small quantities and tried to make a few prints. Got approximate idea about exposure times under certain apertures - it's very hard for me to get consistent times by counting. So I went on and won timer.

This is complete different feeling than picking up prints from minilab. Whole new experience, logical step after capturing picture on film.

 

[pakeha]

dont put RC prints in that print dryer, glad you got a timer! so much easier.
One step i often forgot when i started was changing aperture after fine focusing[ ah, still do sometimes] so i wrote a flow chart of the steps and stuck on enlarger, may help ? enjoy

 

[btgc]

Thanks, I have to go through sequence several times to make it stable.

Seems that RC prints dry fine on apartments heater and keep shape well.

 

[btgc]

finally my small darkroom had opening printing session! I made [un]mountable shelve capable to keep enlarger, timer and set of trays for small papers (I had to keep wet and dry sides together because of lack of space).

Tonight printed variations of single frame, and were surprised how long it took - minute here and there and hours ran!

I have ventilation though fumes float around. Looks I will put covers over trays like some of RFF's are doing.

If I'd start printing in same time when I begun to take pictures I'd avoid all that GAS wave with many cameras. Wet stage (dev &printing) takes a lot of time and attention (and some money, sure) so I couldn't have resources to spend fooling with extra cameras.

Staring at prints now, I'm surprised by how better they keep details. Scans on monitor look pretty poor compared to prints. And black is black, white is white and there between are transitions.

Minilab would make me prints times faster and cheaper. I have to make test strips, guess, wash and be careful not to scratch emulsion. I can understand those going digital to avoid fumes, darkness and what else. I'm here to try wet printing, definitely for fun and hobby, while we can do this.