Wet or Dry darkroom?

[Richard Griffith]

I now have the opportunity to build a light tight space in our attic to use as a darkroom. Will have plumbing, mains and ventilation. Cost - around £500 plus enlarger etc. There is nowhere else in the house that I could set up a permanent darkroom. I have a far amount of darkroom experience and love using my Bessa R and FM3a, and have little interest in DSLR's.

However I just worry whether this is a sensible thing to do. Who knows if chemicals and photographic paper is still going to be available in a few yrs time? Should I get myself a scanner and decent printer and learn how to use photoshop properly. I have elements 6 and use the basics on it but get little pleasure from it. I still haven't worked out how to downsize an image to 200kb to be able to post on this site (only managed to get down to 450kb so far!).

Anyone else facing the same dilema? Has anyone not been keen on going 'digital', but once they have learnt how to do it properly and become familiar with the workflow, have then found it enjoyable?

Richard

 

[David William White]

One good camera, one good enlarger and you're good for life. Ilford seems to be settling in, but chems and film available from several manufacturers. Sheet film, 120, 135, and even 127 all still available, and will freeze well for decades.

I shudder at the cost (and yearly replacement of next models) of digital cameras, scanners, and printers. I spent more in one year of digital than I did total of 5 years before and 3 years after.

 

[Keith]

In your position I'd definitly be having the wet darkroom. I'm currently locked into the dry type and every time I read some post desribing how rewarding wet printing is I long for the chance to try it ... which at the moment is out of the question unfortunately.

It doesn't sound like it's going to cost you an arm and a leg and you can always change later ... and I think it will be a fair while before paper and chemicals become past tense ... maybe not in my life time!

Scanning and post processing your files can be a pain in the arse a lot of the time ... I'm only just starting to realise this!

 

[capitalK]

I wish I had the room for it. The compromise I have made is once I put a laundry sink in I will be able to soup my own negs at home but if I want to print I will have to scan or use the darkroom at work.

 

[iamzip]

Given that my hard drive just crashed two days ago, I would say that a wet darkroom is the safer bet.

 

[Yammerman]

I did the same a couple of years ago its a great move. Saves on a shed on the garden too.

 

[fidget]

I started with my darkroom set up in the loft. No water, though. I would collect several prints in a tray of water before transporting them to the bathroom for a wash and hanging.

A problem was the extremes of temperature up there. In summer it could be too hot to work in and in winter too cold, although it could be heated with a little wait.

Storing paper there also became a problem because of the summer heat.

If you do use the loft, ensure good insulation from the heat of the sun blazing (as it often does in the UK) on the roof and consider some way of dealing with "cold starts" to your darkroom sessions.

It is easy to lightproof, I remember.

I've now move to a spare and small bedroom, no water but all mine.........

 

[sepiareverb]

You mention that dry printing isn't very satisfying. Sounds like you know the answer.😉

 

[Calzone]

I'm technically challenged (clueless) when it comes to digital and dry darkrooms, but I was at one time great in a wet darkroom in B&W.

I intend to keep on being retro. Kinda one reason I went to Leica. I also figure in the longer run, although film may get more expensive, I can spend my money once--have great equipment-- and not have to upgrade constantly.

Also it seems stubornly concentrating on the wet darkroom will encourage developing future expertise, while diversifying has the opposite effect.

Like you I am in the process of setting mine up. All I need to do is make an extra bathroom light tite, get some chemicals and trays.

The best of luck.

Cal

 

[oftheherd]

I think you will like the wet darkroom and get a lot of satisfaction from it. I would only want to be sure I didn't have to worry about leaks from plumbing or accidents. That could cost more than the 500 you mentioned.

 

[bsdunek]

I use my wet darkroom all the time and love it. I really don't get much thrill sitting in front of a computer with PS. I only do that for web photos and my wife's catalog.
I wouldn't worry about B&W photo supplies for quite a few years. Ilford and Freestyle seem to be committed to the cause. Additionally, the eastern european countries seem to be increasing production of film and paper. I think we'll have supplies for a long time yet. Additionally, there are many alternative processes where you make your own plates and paper, it that interests you. It does me, but I haven't gotten to it yet.
I say go for it!

 

[shadowfox]

Wet-darkroom, the more of us setting these up and using it, the more stable the niche industry supporting it will be in the (near) future. You will be doing all of us a favor 🙂