Georg
Hello everyone!
I’ve been having a lot of fun working in the darkroom for a few years now, but changes in my work life have meant I have less and less time to turn our little bathroom into a darkroom – and, of course, to ‘revert’ it back to a bathroom again. So a weekend is almost too short to ‘just quickly’ develop 10 rolls of film and then enlarge a few of the negatives...
Perhaps someone has some tips and tricks to speed up the process? Or has come up with designs for small spaces that make setting up easier?
My process looks like this: darkening the room (clamping pond liner into the window), covering the bath with three wooden boards, fetching the enlarger (Meopta) from the cellar and setting it up, mixing the chemicals and pouring them into the trays, laying out the small parts... and then slowly getting started.
Do you think there’s potential for ‘automation’ here?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Georg
Gast
Hi Georg,
I can’t really offer you much help with that. But I’ve often faced the same problem and have had the chance to potter about in darkrooms run by the local council, at friends’ places, and a few times at a photography club.
Having your own darkroom is obviously better – perhaps you could use the internet to round up a few like-minded people in your area and set up a lab collective with them.
Regards, CP
Gast
Hello!
There isn’t much you can do, but you could develop the films a bit earlier and then just print the photos at the weekend.
I think there’s a 5-film canister for the Paterson, which would save a bit of time.
Roland
cfb_de
Yep, Jobo used to make that too. Tonight I’ll be using my 2336: first run with 1x KB and 4x 120s, second run with 2x KB and 2x 120s.
Mind you, my arm will be half-fallen off by the end of it – pouring 2 litres of chemical for 20–30 minutes really takes it out of you. But it does give me 9 films. And if I only use KB, two canister loads will do 10 films, or even 12 with roll films.
Mind you, you do need to factor in the minimum developer volume. And that’s why I’ve gone and bought myself this behemoth: Rodinal 1+100 now handles three films at once, 1+50 manages 4–5 120s at a go.
To speed up the setup, I’ll be tinkering with my Durst to fit a 60x60 trolley when I get the chance. The enlarger on top, with space underneath for storing prepared chemicals, trays and other bits and bobs. Then all I’ll need in the bathroom is a small table for the final wash.
Although I don’t usually engage in development on Saturdays or Sundays; on Saturday afternoons I manage about two (good) to 40 (mother-in-law quality) prints, and the same amount on Sundays. In between, I have to pack everything away every now and then, as my work table isn’t above the bath, but above a key that’s sometimes much more important. So it only works when I’m home on my own.
Best regards,
Franz
Abi
Hi Georg,
You can save quite a bit of time if you prepare the chemicals one or two days in advance (this is probably best for powdered solutions). Or use liquid concentrate for film development; that way, you can control the temperature of the chemicals via the mixing water. It’s also best to develop the films the evening before; there’s less dust in the air at night. Then they can dry almost dust-free. While the films are soaking, you can also fetch a few things from the basement. Using a paper dryer (a continuous dryer for PE, or a drying press for baryta) on the day of the lab session can also save you time and space. Ideally, you should also have someone on hand to help you with the work.
