Looking for darkroom equipment, this is what I found

[gm13]

After Purchasing a Focomat 1c I commenced, in a leisurely fashion, searching for other necessary supplies when I happened upon a portable military surplus darkroom. after 2 weeks of thought and 1200 miles of travel to inspect, it sits in our side yard and I'm now in the process of commissioning this incredibly built, well maintained piece of equipment, 4500lbs. of aluminum and stainless steel with some bronze and brass tossed in for good measure. It will take me some time to figure out the systems, it came equipped with heat, AC, refer, plumbing- with ability to pull and filter water from streams or lakes, hook up to pressurized systems(what I used) or melt snow in the sink that is pumped to the water heater. print washer, film dryer, print dryer, two Omega D2V's (and a D2 that wasn't original to the unit) with a variety of lenses and a cold light(?) attachment for them,(anybody know a source for downloadable manuals for the D3?) 5 safelights (OC filter-anybody know what is safe under that filter?) numerous sizes of negative carriers, 3 timers ( 2 new in box), ss developing trays and 5 powered vents and the list goes on. (here's the schematic http://www.tpub.com/content/photoprint/TM-11-6780-225-12/TM-11-6780-225-120061.htm) as the diagram shows, there are 3 separate "rooms" made lightproof from one another via sliding doors. the enlarger in the first pic is kept company by it's twin in mirrored set up to left (which I'll probably replace w/ the Focomat) 2nd pic is looking in through the escape hatch at the covered sink which also houses the print washer and ss film developing tanks ( 9 of 'em i think)

I haven't printed much since collage 20 yrs ago, and then it wasn't much, so I'm looking forward to the learning experience it will be. Wish me luck
Gene

 

[gm13]

On the 'bay of course. This one was purchased from an individual so no more to be had there but who knows, must be others somewhere. I'm sure uncle sam uses digital now.

really is such a nice shade of green....

 

[Al Kaplan]

The OC safelight filter is the standard one for variable contrast paper and works fine with graded paper as well. The older OA filter works with graded paper but will fog variable contrast paper.

How much did you pay for that set-up? Also don't be surprised if you fall in love with the Omegas and don't use the Focomat.

Don't forget to buy a hammock in case the wife throws you out!

 

[gm13]

1G for the unit 1G to get it here. The guy who delivered it had the axle to his trailer fall off when he pulled into his driveway afterwards...hate to think what would have happened...

We talked of hammocks in there....now she thinks it's "neat"

 

[nikon_sam]

Okay...I want one!!!
If I could get this past my wife there would be one in our backyard...

 

[WDPictures]

This is indeed pretty cool. I am imagining one of those roll-out canvas canopies extending out over the grassy knoll to the left with the hammock as mentioned. You will of course need an intercom linked to HQ to receive your orders from the base commander.

 

[Keith]

Where's the beer fridge? 😛

 

[bucks11]

That is one diabolical looking darkroom, my friend. I want one!

Wonder how many bombs that thing could withstand?

 

[gm13]

funny, it does have a 4 unit intercom system that works well.
we talked of putting one up at "headquarters"

 

[gm13]

Oh and Keith, the beer fridge:

 

[BTMarcais]

That is just amazing.
Now I know what I want for my birthday next year. 🙂
-Brian

 

[kermaier]

Unbelievable, I simply must have one! Put it in the rear corner of the yard, plant some camouflage in front of it, hook up intercom so my wife can periodically verify I'm still alive, I could probably get away with an actual home darkroom. <sigh> Probably not an easy item to come by -- you're a lucky man indeed.
::Ari

 

[Glenn2]

Here's a site that should help you find manuals for your enlargers.. http://www.classic-enlargers.com/

That's some slick dark room, wonder what the $cost to build it was?

Glenn

 

[kermaier]

The schematics show a fuel tank. Is that for the space heater, or an electrical generator? Do you hook up to your residential electricity supply?

::Ari

 

[Ronald M]

Prebuilt darkroom, how cool. I just do not have space.

 

[pesphoto]

Holy *#@$, how much was shipping for that thing? HOw cool!

 

[Vobluda]

Ha ha this is the funkiest darkroom I have ever heard of!
How much they pay you to take it away? 😀

 

[shadowfox]

Cheers to this awesome find. I'm drooling thinking about what I can do with one in my sideyard.

 

[gm13]

Glenn, thanks for the link---perfect, I would much rather have a paper manual.
and yes I also was wondering what we in the US paid for it the first time--alot I imagine.

Ari,
The Fuel can is for the space heater that also heats the print/pic dryers (60,000 btu's of it, from oil, diesel, kero or gasoline) I just buried a power line from the house to the "pod" as it is affectionately referred to.

 

[slm]

That has to top any other "find" I've seen !

Cheers