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Old 18th June 2011, 12:56 PM
CliveBedford CliveBedford is offline
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Bedford
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Default Newbie - darkroom kit

Hello,

This is my first proper post so please be gentle with me

I have been researching for a few months now and the time is approaching that I maybe in the position to develop my first roll of film!!

I collect the following kit on Monday:

LPL print screen/framer easel, new little used.
Paterson print washing tray with 4 dividers for smaller prints
Paterson contact proof printer old but in fair condition.
Paterson dark room light x2.
3 film developing tanks 1 with thermometer.
Paterson darkroom computer for exposure x 2 old but working.
Novex darkroom print exposure timer as new.
3 small and 3 larger colored chemical developing trays.
Bulk film loader plus 35mm 400asa B&W film 10m +.
Selection of paper + some multi grade paper and filter system.
Tongs, measuring vials and other small bits and pieces.
1 Gnome enlarger with spare lamps and diffusing lenses

I declined the following to keep overall costs down:
One warming tray for developing chemicals, new little used.
One electric print dryer/glassing equipment, new little used (good for larger prints).

I have not seen the kit and have been given it at very minimal cost.

I plan to try Kodak Tri X 400 in D76 1:1, Ilfostop bath (or water) and Ilford rapid fixer.

Any thoughts on the above equipment list or any additional equipment I may need?

Many thanks
Clive (from Bedford)
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Old 18th June 2011, 01:27 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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Clive, as far as I can see there is nothing else that you need to get you started, as time goes on you will find other things that you might like to have, but as a starter kit everything is there old, but good,except for an enlarger lens, which you do not mention, and as far as that goes get the best you can afford, there are some great lenses around at very good prices, and I don't see any MG filters, which you will need for printing mg paper, check whether the Gnome has a filter draw, if not you will need a set of under the lens filters, if you have a filter draw then a set of above the lens will be fine, remember that the Patterson washer is for RC papers only, but there is nothing wrong with RC paper, I use it myself, for everything,so get it set up and get printing,Best of luck,
Richard

Last edited by Richard Gould; 18th June 2011 at 01:34 PM. Reason: forgot about filters
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Old 18th June 2011, 01:32 PM
B&W Neil's Avatar
B&W Neil B&W Neil is offline
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Hello Clive and welcome to FADU.

Your equipment list is fine from what I can see so you should be able to make a good start.

TriX is an excellent film and with D76 you will get good results.

All the best with your first films and let us know how you get on.

Neil.
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Old 18th June 2011, 05:33 PM
JamesG JamesG is offline
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Co. Armagh
Posts: 12
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Hi Clive,

Good luck with doing your first film.. its a great feeling seeing the negatives in all their glory

I just picked up my first enlarger etc today so I am hopefully going to get the shed sorted out tomorrow with a new bench etc to sit the beast on

James
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Old 27th June 2011, 06:16 AM
JacquelineA JacquelineA is offline
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Location: Chillicothe, Missouri "The Home of Slice Bread"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CliveBedford View Post
Hello,

This is my first proper post so please be gentle with me

I have been researching for a few months now and the time is approaching that I maybe in the position to develop my first roll of film!!

I collect the following kit on Monday:

LPL print screen/framer easel, new little used.
Paterson print washing tray with 4 dividers for smaller prints
Paterson contact proof printer old but in fair condition.
Paterson dark room light x2.
3 film developing tanks 1 with thermometer.
Paterson darkroom computer for exposure x 2 old but working.
Novex darkroom print exposure timer as new.
3 small and 3 larger colored chemical developing trays.
Bulk film loader plus 35mm 400asa B&W film 10m +.
Selection of paper + some multi grade paper and filter system.
Tongs, measuring vials and other small bits and pieces.
1 Gnome enlarger with spare lamps and diffusing lenses

I declined the following to keep overall costs down:
One warming tray for developing chemicals, new little used.
One electric print dryer/glassing equipment, new little used (good for larger prints).

I have not seen the kit and have been given it at very minimal cost.

I plan to try Kodak Tri X 400 in D76 1:1, Ilfostop bath (or water) and Ilford rapid fixer.

Any thoughts on the above equipment list or any additional equipment I may need?

Many thanks
Clive (from Bedford)
I would suggest that you get a film changing bag. This will let you load the film reels to develop the film. Some of us use stainless steel reels and tanks others use the plastic setup from Paterson or other companies. Each has their strengths and weakness' but for a new person to film developing you might find the plastic reels are easier to load. The changing bag, called a portable dark room , etc. is handy to have when out in the field shooting as if the camera jams you can have a dark spot to unjam the camera, and when using it to load the developing tanks this is done by touch and in a room with the lights on.
Measuring cups, vials, or jars... something to pour the developer into to get it to temperature, funnels for pouring chemicals back into the storage bottles.
welcome to the dark side!
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Cameras.
Nikon F2a (semi-retired), Nikon 28mm, Sigma 500mm f8, Vivitar Series I 70-210 zoom
2 Nikon N90s one 70 - 300 AF Macro, one 100 - 300 AF)
Nikon N90 (with 100 - 300 AF lens ) and one 35 - 80 AF short zoom.
Mamiya C220 80mm f2.8, 180mm f4.5

Not to mention the three Sony Mavica Digital cameras, and some pocket shooty thing from Fuji the partner has...

Omega Super Chromega C-700 6X7 enlarger with 50mm and 80mm lens 35mm and 6X6 film carriers.
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