Just won a Focomat V35, now what?

[kmallick]

I just started developing B&W 35mm in my basement bathroom after 21 years of hiatus. I find it quite exciting and I plan to do this in parallel to the digital fun in color.

At the beginning the thought process was that I will scan the negatives in Canon 9000F. But more and more I started to reminisce the fun I had wet printing in the darkroom in the good old days. The GAS got worse and I put in a bid for Focomat V35, which is supposedly in near mint condition and I won it. But now what? I hardly could squeeze in the 500mL jugs and the Patterson tank in my small bathroom. Where do I set up the enlarger? I have to figure out some kind of table in the shower area and a place to put some trays.

And wait till wifey finds out! 🙁

 

[marcr1230]

I was able to black out my kitchen when I lived in an apartment
Get some black plastic sheets and a broom handle to hold it up like a shade and you can close off open doors and passages. I've also used foamcore to black out windows, it works great

Tell wifey you are creating precious memories of your life together 🙂

 

[Steve M.]

I cut four 2x4's to about 10" in length. On one end of them I glued some cut pieces of an old mouse pad. Next I cut a piece of plywood large enough to hold my enlarger, made some measurements, and nailed the 2x4's to each corner. Set the little platform on my bathroom sink vanity (it needs the 2x4's to clear the faucets), and set the enlarger on top of this. Very easy to make, and it's the perfect height. Works fine, but eventually I'll take out all the shelves in the bathroom closet (all but one) and put the enlarger in there permanently. The developing trays go on a piece of plywood that sets on top of the bathtub.

 

[presspass]

You could also find an old hospital crash cart - the kind made of metal with big rubber wheels. They roll easily, and there's room to store a lot of stuff underneath. The top is sturdy enough for an enlarger and will probably fit a V35. You've got a wonderful enlarger and if it's in mint condition, you have a great find. I've been enjoying mine for 20+ years and, other than one masking blade packing up, it's great.

 

[kmallick]

Thanks for all the cool ideas. Much appreciated! You guys got all the gears in my head turning.