Rainer
Hello everyone, I’m new to the forum and would like to introduce myself briefly: My name is Rainer, I’m 65 years old and I live in Bad Sassendorf in the district of Soest. After many years of digital photography, I’ve now rediscovered the fascination of analogue photography and would like to develop my own black and white film. Fortunately, I’ve been given a complete darkroom set-up with two enlargers (Revue 2010 and Veigel Exact 66). It also includes some parts that I’ve identified as a negative stage, but I’m not quite sure how they’re used. If I can upload photos here on the forum, I could show these parts. Perhaps someone could then help me out?
Best regards, Rainer
KlausWehner
Hello Rainer,
First of all, welcome to the forum!
Actually, a viewbox isn’t that difficult to use: open it up, insert the negative, close it, and slide it into the enlarger.
Have you ever done analogue enlargements before? It’s not difficult.
If you’d like, I could help you.
I live in Paderborn and if you’d like, you’re welcome to come over here sometime.
Then I could show you a few things in the darkroom.
Get in touch if you’re interested.
Best regards,
Klaus
Rainer
Hello Klaus, thank you for your quick reply and your kind offer to show me how to work in the darkroom. I’d be happy to take you up on that. As I’m retired, I’m very flexible with my time. As for the negative stage: these are simply metal frames onto which, it seems, two crossbars are placed. One for KB without glass, one for 6x9 with glass. I’d be happy to send you some photos.
Best regards, Rainer
KlausWehner
Hi Rainer,
Perhaps you could post the photos from the Bildbühne here?
Then we can have a think about it together.
Maybe some parts are missing? We’ll see.
I’ll get in touch with you. Then we can arrange a time to meet up in Paderborn.
Unfortunately, it won’t be possible at very short notice.
Best regards,
Klaus
KlausWehner
Hello Rainer,
I have received the photos of your negative stage.
Thank you for them!
It is clearly a homemade design.
The negative stage must meet the following requirements:
1. It must hold the negative in a plane-parallel position at the correct point on the enlarger.
2. It must create a light-tight seal between the enlarger and the negative stage so that no stray light can escape.
In your design, the negative is probably only secured at both short sides.
For optimal flatness, however, it would be better if the negative were pressed against all four sides.
You can easily test for yourself in the darkened darkroom whether your enlarger still emits stray light from the sides when the negative stage is inserted.
If there are any issues, we’re happy to continue looking for a solution together.
Best regards,
Klaus
