Portable Film Developing Cart/Storage

[dave lackey]

Need your help!:angel:

We live in a small cottage-sized house, very small...and storage/workspace is at a minimum. Our spare bedroom-turned office-turning now into a Leica cave is small with a decent sized shallow closet.

Since I am just now starting to develop my own black and white film, I am amazed at how little space the equipment actually takes up. It will all fit on a portable cart of some sort that can be left tucked in the closet and pulled out when I need to process some film. This eliminates the problem of my photo stuff in the guest bathroom (except for the occasional film hanging in the shower).

Thinking about this at Harbor Freight, but would like to get YOUR thoughts!

 

[gb hill]

Only you can judge if that would work for you. For myself it would be too bulky to wheel around being my wife is kind of a pack rat. I keep my chemicals, RO9, Rodinal, & HC110 in my desk away from light. Some of my other bottles, fixer, stop bath, Perceptol, & other stuff is in a shoe box or on a shelf in the spare bathroom aka darkroom for making prints. When I go to develop a roll of film I use a changing bag & load my film while I'm watching tv.

 

[zuiko85]

For my 1 quart bottles of mixed chemicals I bought 3 of those plastic hanging file boxes from Target. The ones with a plastic lid and handle. They will stack on each other. If any chemicals leak out they are contained in the box.

I cut 3/4 inch white plastic coated particle board to fit over the sink and tub when I set up the darkroom to print. After I cut the sheet to fit I covered the edges with white duct tape.

All my other darkroom stuff, tanks, reels, bulk film, paper etc. fits on a 72in. tall by 30in wide by 12in. deep bookshelf that I got free.

 

[mwoenv]

I use a large plastic tote in the basement for storage of b&w film and print chemicals and another one for color film and print chemicals; this keeps the clear plastic bottles in the dark and provides containment in the event of any leaks. I place what I need to take upstairs in a tray.

I have another smaller tote for the other equipment (reels, tanks, thermometers, lab goggles, nitrile gloves, etc.).

 

[srtiwari]

Sounds like a good idea; one that I might follow as well. Of course, the concern I would have would be re: storing toxic chemicals in a bedroom closet. Doesn't quite seem right, even tho' I cannot think of a sound reason for the hesitation.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Dave, that looks like a nice trolley. If you have the space for it and can afford it, why not. I have very limited space at home so a trolley like that would get in the way. I keep my set up in a plastic drawer that doesn't take up much space.

Here's a shot of my B&W developing kit in the plastic drawer I use to store it in. I have three x 2 roll Patterson tanks and one x 1 roll Jobo tank. I develop in batches of six or seven rolls of film. I also use the plastic drawer for temperature management. I fill it with water, place the mixed chemicals in there, and adjust the temperature to what I'm after.

Here's the PET bottles that the chemicals go into once they're mixed and ready to go. I place these PET bottles into the drawer filled with water to stabilize them at the correct temperature. Usually I only place the developer in there.

After use, I wash everything with dish detergent, dry it, and store it as shown below. You can see the plastic drawer at the bottom of the wooden cabinet and the PET bottles on the left above the wooden drawers. I don't have any problems with chemical smells.

 

[dave lackey]

Dave, that looks like a nice trolley. If you have the space for it and can afford it, why not. I have very limited space at home so a trolley like that would get in the way. I keep my set up in a plastic drawer that doesn't take up much space.

Here's a shot of my B&W developing kit in the plastic drawer I use to store it in. I have three x 2 roll Patterson tanks and one x 1 roll Jobo tank. I develop in batches of six or seven rolls of film. I also use the plastic drawer for temperature management. I fill it with water, place the mixed chemicals in there, and adjust the temperature to what I'm after.

Here's the PET bottles that the chemicals go into once they're mixed and ready to go. I place these PET bottles into the drawer filled with water to stabilize them at the correct temperature. Usually I only place the developer in there.

After use, I wash everything with dish detergent, dry it, and store it as shown below. You can see the plastic drawer at the bottom of the wooden cabinet and the PET bottles on the left above the wooden drawers. I don't have any problems with chemical smells.

Now, that is nice! A cabinet like that would fit well in the closet since it is not deep but long. How do you regulate the temp? Up? Down?...I suppose ice or a blue ice pack would get it down from our usual 78F room temp to 68-69F.

But then, I would have to carry everything to the guest bathroom to work with the chemicals. I will just use the closet with insulation around the door to seal off light and something at the bottom of the door.

I do like the idea of the plastic container to get the temp right!!

So many options..the trolley is like $60 and I imagine the plastic drawer/container is under $10. Can't wait!

Thanks, Jon.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Now, that is nice! A cabinet like that would fit well in the closet since it is not deep but long. How do you regulate the temp? Up? Down?...I suppose ice or a blue ice pack would get it down from our usual 78F room temp to 68-69F.

But then, I would have to carry everything to the guest bathroom to work with the chemicals. I will just use the closet with insulation around the door to seal off light and something at the bottom of the door.

I do like the idea of the plastic container to get the temp right!!

So many options..the trolley is like $60 and I imagine the plastic drawer/container is under $10. Can't wait!

Thanks, Jon.

I just use a changing bag to load the film onto the reels and into the tanks. So no need for a dark room, Dave!

I have a PET bottle filled with frozen water that I use in summer to lower the water temperature and I just add hot water in winter. I aim for a temperature anywhere from 20C to 24C and adjust the development time accordingly.

 

[mwoenv]

You can easily adjust your solution temperatures up or down by placing the bottles in a cold or warm water bath using a large pot. It occurs pretty rapidly using those thin-walled PET bottles, an advantage of using those bottles. To go from 78 to 68, use a p ot of water at around 62-64, adding ice cubes if your tap water won't go down that low in summer.

I also use a small 6-pack cooler to bring the tank/reels/film to the developing temperature before developing - doing this in addition to adjusting the solution temperatures has brought the best improvement and consistency to the process.

 

[shadowfox]

That's fancy, Dave (in a nice way).
I think that can double as a little darkroom sink.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

In the 1950's TV series "Man With A Camera," Mike Kovac used a suitcase in the trunk of his car as his portable darkroom. I'm 36 years old and I LOVE that show. It is perfect for the 50's camera gear nut. And Charles Bronson is just a plain badass.

So, in a nutshell, it can all fit in a suitcase, I guess.

Phil Forrest

 

[splitimageview]

My setup is somewhat similar to Jon's, in terms of storage. A box carries all the tanks, funnels, and beakers and is stored on the shelf above my washer/dryer. The chemicals are in glass bottles, stored on that shelf as well.

For temp control, I bought an industrial water bath off ebay for $50. I admit it's probably a bit overkill, but for $50, it's a HUGE convenience and a time saver. 🙂 Pour in tap water, stick the developer bottle and blix in the bath, and flip the switch. Come back about 20 minutes later, and everything is ready to go at a steady 39 degrees C, and it will stay there, plus or minus 0.2 C.

Perfect for C41. I don't develop black and white, except for XP2 which is a C41 process, and C41 requires the higher temp.

The bath permanently sits on my dryer, right below the shelf with everything else. The tank is drained after use, and it takes about 5 minutes to wash everything, at which point all the beakers, funnels, and the dev tank are left to air dry on the washer.

And I use a changing bag to load the film into the tanks. This is done over the washer. So all the work is done in this small area, except for the final wash, which is done in the sink with running water.

 

[Contarama]

You need to break down and buy one of these! 🙂

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-MILITA...391?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a15221a7

 

[Calzone]

Dave,

I live in a one bedroom Madhattan apartment, and use a changing bag. All my chemicals and tanks fit into two stackable plastic totes like you can get at Home Depot. My changing bag is called a "Changing Room" and it collapses and fold flat for storage.

I recommend eventually getting an eight reel stainless steel tank, or initially at least getting a 4 reel stainless tank. The big tanks offer more consistent results for me because of the larger volume. Also nothing like seeing nearly 300 images when you develop 8 rolls of 135.

Cal

 

[dave lackey]

Well, got the chemicals today:

Kodak D76
Kodak Stop Bath
Kodak Fixer
Clips

and...I am ready to go!

Regarding the cart, it is cheap enough and organizes all my little things and can keep it all together and move it into the bath area when I need it. I can also put a small chair in the closet next to the cart for a work space loading film.

One problem:

I have four plastic Paterson reels. Whenever I load them, it goes easy as pie. When I want to pull the film off the reels (remember it is practice and the film and reels are dry), the film will not budge.

I have to take the reels apart to get the film out and naturally, it springs back on itself into a small roll...

What is going on with these reels not allowing me to pull the film off when done?😕 Will it get easier when the developing is done and the film/reel is wet?

Oh, and Wing's does have a stainless steel tank with two stainless steel reels (used) for $25 total...not a four reel tank though...might have to wait awhile to find some used ones.

 

[Gerry M]

Dave,
The last bath for my 35mm is snapping the reels apart and dropping (gently) the roll into a glass candy jar that has wetting agent in it. Drain after 30 secs and hang to dry. No scratches.
Gerry

 

[Overkill-F1]

One problem:

I have four plastic Paterson reels. Whenever I load them, it goes easy as pie. When I want to pull the film off the reels (remember it is practice and the film and reels are dry), the film will not budge.

I have to take the reels apart to get the film out and naturally, it springs back on itself into a small roll...

What is going on with these reels not allowing me to pull the film off when done?😕 Will it get easier when the developing is done and the film/reel is wet?
.

You should try it this way:

REMOVING THE FILM FROM THE REEL
To remove the film from the reel, arch the free end by bending the two edges together slightly.
Pull gently on the free end, allowing the reel to rotate on the other hand,
and the whole length of film will run easily out of the reel as it rotates.
The film should then be clipped or pinned up to dry.​

Copied from:
http://www.photomemorabilia.co.uk
...Terry

 

[splitimageview]

I use the Patersons too, the wet film just unrolls...

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Dun forget the
Agfa Rodinax 35U daylight developing tank

absolutely one of the smallest dev tank, combining dark bag + dev tank.

 

[rfaspen]

I really enjoy this thread.
I too use a changing bag to load film. Small footprint. Then I have one plastic tote with chemical bottles, and another tote that fits on top with tanks, reels, containers, clips, thermometer. etc. I really like the idea of the rolling cart. Right now I keep the 2 totes stacked on each other in the spare closet. I then haul them out to the kitchen to develop (at kitchen sink, I can hear you all shudder). I'd much prefer to roll everything out on a cart. That would be easier on my back. Anyway, I'm amazed at how little room all my film development gear takes up. Makes everyone in the household happy.

I think I still have a 4-roll plastic tank somewhere in my garage, but I haven't used it in years. I have 3 2-roll stainless tanks and 4 35-mm reels and 2 120 reels. I can develop 4 rolls of 35 or 2 rolls of 120 in 2 tanks at one time. (or 4 rolls 35 and 1 roll 120). Once I dialed in my preferred workflow, I haven't had any issues with consistency of results so I think the 2-roll tank has sufficient volume. I can say that I do prefer stainless tanks and reels to plastic. They take up less room, clean up easier, and seem to require less volume of chemical. Of course, to each his/her own.

One thing about my setup. I find that the 1-gallon bottles that I use to mix and store my fixer are just a little bit too large to conveniently fit in my totes. All my other chemicals are mixed up as one-shot or I can store in smaller bottles. Anyone else find 1 gallon bottles too big? What do you do about it?