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-   -   First darkroom, I think I've ordered everything I need (http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=13340)

Britman 4th August 2020 09:27 PM

First darkroom, I think I've ordered everything I need
 
So I'm in the process of setting up a darkroom (in the bathroom) and I think I have ordered everything needed to at least get crackkng.

Durst F30 enlarger (used got for cheap)
50mm f4.5 lens (used got for very cheap)
Chemicals, Ilford multigrade dev, stop and rapid fix (I already have from developing film)
Ilford Multigrade RC paper
Safe light
Focus checker
Trays (that may or may not be cat litter trays)
Tongues
Multigrade filters (Ilford education pack)
Timer (used)
Home made easel.

Am I missing something?

I hope it all arrives this week.


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Molli 5th August 2020 12:12 PM

The only things I'm not seeing are a thermometer which I'm guessing you may well have amongst your film developing supplies, and a line and pegs to hang your prints. Other than that, you seem well set!
Welcome to the best part of using film :-)

Britman 5th August 2020 12:32 PM

Yes, thermometer I have. 👍
Pegs totally forgot about that.

My enlarger arrived today, absolute mint condition. It's never been used, just need a lamp now.

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Molli 5th August 2020 01:00 PM

I made a rope and pulley sort of thing for my print drying line. I started out using my laundry, but drying prints (and film) in my bathroom. Since I'm in a rental property, nothing permanent is possible. So, a couple of tack nails in the surround above the door and window makes for a very fast print dryer, easily taken down and with no nail holes visible ever.
The pulley system is only slightly fancier. I put two nails above each door in the laundry (one leads into the house, the other goes outside) and a length of dowel is seated above the door, behind those nails, with a third dowel used to raise and lower the strings.
Photos would probably explain it better, but you possibly already have a print drying idea in mind. Window screens are another option.

Do yell out if you need any DIY tips, though. As I mentioned, I'm in a rental property so I specialise in discrete and reversible options and, also, I'm on an extremely tight budget so I have cheap workarounds for most things.

Well done on your mint F30. It's always a treat to acquire things which simply work straight out of the box!

Terry S 5th August 2020 02:26 PM

It sounds like you've got all the main things to get you started.

Enjoy! :)

Terry S

Ian Marsh 5th August 2020 02:35 PM

Not essential, but you may like to consider a print squeegee to remove the surplus water from the prints before hanging them up.

Have fun

MartyNL 5th August 2020 03:15 PM

Looking forward to seeing some prints, Best of luck!

Britman 5th August 2020 05:35 PM

Thanks for the wishes and tips.

I have to confess that I have now jumped the gun slightly, as this enlarger didn't come with a lamp I couldn't wait for an enlarger lamp to be delivered so went to B&Q a bought a Diall 1055 lumens 75w LED neutral white (4000k) lamp.

It seems to have worked, illuminated the board evenly, well to my eyes.

So after I did a light leak and safe light test I did a couple test prints on small strips.
But because my temporary safe light is a bicycle rear light I couldn't really see shit 😂 and messed up. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e6d0eb10d2.jpg

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Richard Gould 5th August 2020 05:50 PM

Just Hi Britman
Led lamps work very well for Enlarging, I have been using one in my meopta for around 2 or 3 years now, also a B@Q dial one, i8n my case a 14.5 watt, but I did some trials with them before I commited to mine and I found you need a 2700 k warm bulb, which seems to match the enlarger bulb in tone, and to get all the grades with MG paper,so I would suggest you get the warmer bulb, and use the colder tone in your room light, as far as the rest, I can't see anything else you need to start printing' just one thing, when using RC paper you don't need a line, just somewhere to lay the prints out, the will dry fast and flat, I have been known, in the past , to lay them out on sheets of newspaper, back down, you only really need a line for FB prints, pegging them back to back in pairs with a peg at each corner helps the not to curl to much
Richard

Britman 5th August 2020 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Gould (Post 134880)
Just Hi Britman
Led lamps work very well for Enlarging, I have been using one in my meopta for around 2 or 3 years now, also a B@Q dial one, i8n my case a 14.5 watt, but I did some trials with them before I commited to mine and I found you need a 2700 k warm bulb, which seems to match the enlarger bulb in tone, and to get all the grades with MG paper,so I would suggest you get the warmer bulb, and use the colder tone in your room light, as far as the rest, I can't see anything else you need to start printing' just one thing, when using RC paper you don't need a line, just somewhere to lay the prints out, the will dry fast and flat, I have been known, in the past , to lay them out on sheets of newspaper, back down, you only really need a line for FB prints, pegging them back to back in pairs with a peg at each corner helps the not to curl to much
Richard

Thanks Richard, I bought 2 of those lamps so will exchange one for the 2700k warm 👍

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