New Guy Saying Hi...Looking for Darkroom Help

[keithslater]

Hello,
My name is Keith and I am from Watkins Glen NY. I have been hanging out here for a little while. I started to get serious about photography about a year and a half ago. I have pretty much tried every format from 110 to 120, to Polaroid. I first figured out what a rangefinder was from using my Polaroid Pack film cameras. I read about them in a book, but there is no real way to explain rangfinder focusing without a camera near. I remember feeling real good about how easy it was to focus. So anyway I have been exploring rangefinder photography. I own a Canon QL-17 and a Petri Racer. I also just sold some other stuff and bought a Fed 5, a Fed 2, a universal finder, and a 135mm Lens for the Feds on ebay from US sellers. They are on the way! I also own a Yashica A, a Minolta Vectis SLR, a bunch of different Polaroids, and many other cameras. I buy and sell on ebay alot. I cannot resist buying any Pack Film Cameras for a couple bucks at rummage sales. I want to learn how to develop and print my own black and white film, however I have no clue. I understand that it is pretty easy and you can learn from a book, however I would like to find someone local who has a darkroom and would not mind showing me around. I would pay for anything I used etc. By local area, I would include Ithaca, Elmira, Corning, Geneva, Etc. Well, nice to meet you all. I really enjoy the forums, especially the fact everything seems relevant. Thanks again,
Keith

 

[wdenies]

Keith
Welcome in the family.
For any particular problem , analogue/digital,we will try to help you. (even from Belgium)

Wim

 

[back alley]

do they still have the races at watkins glen?

went there once many years ago.

welcome and yes, the basics of darkroom work can be learned from a book but the 'art' takes lots of paper and practice.

joe

 

[keithslater]

Yea, we still have tons of races. The big one is a nascar race. The other big one is when they close the streets and run the vintage cars. Bunch of little MG, BMW, Audi, Volvo, and more. Great times to photograph. Both my Feds came today, the Fed 2 is a little dim to look through, have not tried to clean it yet. The Fed 5 looks brand new and has Peristroka stamped on it. Looks neat. See Ya,
Keith

 

[Doug]

Welcome, Keith! I spent one year in Ithaca for school, and my Dad grew up in Auburn. Pretty area.... You might look up local photography classes, maybe at a community college, where you'll learn your way around the darkroom. As for a book, there's David Vestal's, a classic.

 

[digitalox]

You can learn on your own, its not to hard. Like they said you'll waste lots of paper. If you can find someone to show you the ropes that'd be good. I've gotten the hang of it on my own with my little home darkroom but I'd love to get with someone else and see their workflow and techiniques.

 

[David Doler]

Its a shame that you didn't post this a few weeks ago. I was in your neck of the woods for the Wine Festival and we could have talked shop. I've been in the dark for many years and think it's the only way to make pretty pictures.

Email me at daviddoler@comcast.net and I'll send you the one sheet of paper that I've depended on for years. It's the exact mixing ratios for all the needed Ilford chemicals in .pdf format. Glue it to your darkroom wall and you'll be developing in no time at all.

Do you have an enlarger? I have a decent one that I'm not using. You can have it cheap. Anyway, email me and I'll send you information that I have that will cut your learning curve in half.

By the way, those FSU cameras (Fed, Zorkis' and the like) are awesome. I have a bunch and I love em. They will teach you how to be patient, understand exposure and how to squint.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Welcome Keith, nice to have you aboard. My family is originally from your area -- always a pleasure going back. David Vestal's "The Art of Black and White Enlarging" is a great reference even with local access to a tutor and a darkroom.