I'm getting a darkroom :D

[Ash]

I've been clearing out the space between the side of the house and the fence (about 3.5ftx20ft or something stupid). Parents were happy enough with me doing it, then broke the bad news.. I can't concrete-bed and build a weatherproof structure there. too costly.


My dad being fair for once has an alternative. I'm helping him clear out his shed, and using half of that instead. (In fact, 'as little space as possible', but I can over-estimate 🙄 ) I'll have to black-out the whole area after constructing a suitable worksurface. I won't have a good source of water, without wandering to and from the house.

Been playing around with large format (10x8) negs all day and developed 4. Got two which are acceptable but of course I can't contact-print to show you all. There's a great photo of my Zorki, Kiev, and Rolleicord all side by side, so of course I NEED a darkroom to show this.


Anyone else got a dark-shed?

As I said, I won't have a great and easily available watersource, so to avoid frequent trips is there anything I can use as Wash?
Something other than fresh running water?
I can't remember if there are any chemicals you can buy? I'll be using all formats (35mm, 120, 10x8 and 5x4 once I get the camera - film as well as typical multigrade paper) so it needs to be for paper AND film.


Any ideas?

 

[traveller]

A friend of mine had a problem with her water source too. I got her some canisters and installed them on a cupboard above her working space. At the canisters I installed rapid couplings and connected all canisters with flexible tube and connectors. She uses by now 6 canisters but she's got a long walk to her water source and she doesn't want too heavy canisters. We used these canisters, but I got them quite cheap through the company and it will work with other canisters too.

 

[Jerevan]

Always good to hear someone doing real darkroom work! I'd suggest you nip off to APUG and check the archives there for a start.

Not having water in the darkroom will force you to think of how you do things. Prints can be put in a tray with water, while waiting for the final wash, and you can always mix up developer, fix and stop inside the house. You'll have to keep a watch on temperatures. RC papers does not need the longish washing times as fiber papers does (if you're not using HCA which shortens wash times) and can dry in a rack.

 

[Ash]

Thanks for the help so far. I think I might use 2-litre mineral water bottles and refill them from the tap in the house (or else the hosepipe tap outside... and leave it for a few hours to get to room temperature for b&w). It'll teach me to avoid being so wasteful.

Think that'll be good enough?

 

[Jerevan]

I think that'll be good, as long as you get the temp to 20 degrees C (if that's what you use) with the dev, fix and stop. Variations in temperature can mess with the results, but what is "good" and what is "bad" when it comes to the results is really up to you and your own eyes. I read somewhere (I think it was in B&W Photography) about someone who made prints in Albania, warming mineral bottles in the sun to be able to make colour prints. 🙂

Edit: I found the letter - it was printed in B&W Photography, issue 49, august 2005.