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Darkroom Build


MPerson

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It is now 9 months since we moved in to the new house and things seem to have settled down. So, time to convert the second garage in to a darkroom. In my 1937 edition of The Leica Handbook there are several plans for darkrooms but I rather like this layout. This is for a 7’x6’ darkroom and I have 25’x12’ to play with! As this will probably be my last darkroom I intend to make it as luxurious as possible. I also hope to use the Hewes stainless steel deep tanks for processing just - waiting for them to get back to me.

 

 

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I will partition the space so that I have a 12’x12’ darkroom and the other room will function as a study cum digital workstation and have the Macs, scanners, Terastations, printers, bookshelves, kettle and sofa. I have already had the garage door taken out and the space bricked up and a nice big window installed so I can look out over the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

Next it is internal framing, insulation, plasterboarding and a wooden floor to make it look habitable. I also need to work out where the extra services like central heating, water supply and electrics need to be delivered to.

 

Just looking forward to being able to empty all the boxes with the darkroom equipment in and set it all up and start producing prints again. I have seriously missed not having a darkroom this last year, although Susie probably sums it up better saying I have been a “grumpy old git” without one!

 

If there is enough interest I will document the project as I progress but the next stage will not start until April time.

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Heat and cooling a must.

 

Air inlet should be on the opposite side from the exhaust. Filter the inlet air, 8 Merv furnace filter will do. Run air filters inside the room to keep dust down. I use two Hunter HEPA units. They were $100 each. Make everything cleanable like formica table top or painted with enamel paint. Same with floor. Dust is a total enemy. Provide in line water filtration. Mine is 3 micron. When you have a clean room, all the spotting and dirty film problems go away instantly. Build it so it stays clean and is cleanable easily.

 

You will not like standing on a cement floor. Provide wooden floors or mats.

 

A drop table enlarging stand is nice. so is a place for mounting press and assembling frames and cutting matts.

 

Counter top height is not generic except in apartments. Customize to your height. Enlarger base should be elbow height. Trays such that you can operate without bending over.

If you are tall, you will love it. You short friends will need a stool, but this is for you. Make it right the first time.

 

On APUG forum, there are Darkroom Portraits. See what others have done.

 

I can not fault the workflow in the room except I do not understand the input air. Looks as if it is right next to the exhaust which gets you nowhere. Input volume need to equal exhaust volume other wise you create negative pressure. Ideally you want positive.

 

Where are you going to dry prints?

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Andy,

Looks like you will have a great setup.

Do you only shoot 35mm?

 

A few quick things to suggest:

 

If the floors are concrete, rubber inter locking mats are great. There are many variations but they make a huge difference.

 

A inexpensive way to approach water temp control that is very effective. In retrospect, I would put another valve to avoid flow back when not in use, otherwise, just close the hot after each session.

 

Make sure the sink can take 2 trays deep if you are going to run a sink that is less than 8 feet in length.

 

Build water filters into your lines at the onset.

 

I never felt the need to paint the wall black with the leica V35, there was no spillage, the Dursts do have some and the mat black wall makes a difference, the entire dry side will be mat black soon.

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Edited by Allen in Montreal
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  • 5 months later...

Well after months of changes, re-thinking and several designs later, my darkroom/study is almost there.

 

The one thing that caused me a major re-think was getting this. I still wanted space for tray developing should I feel the need but realised two enlargers really were not necessary!

 

I have been documenting the build on my Blog:

 

Darkroom Project - Part 1

 

Darkroom Project - Part 2

 

Darkroom Project - Part 3

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Two enlargers keep your productivity up. Process two prints at a time.

 

Fluorescent lamps glow after shut off. This makes them unsatisfactory for a darkroom.

 

Pretty counter tops. Wax them or protect with carpet runners.

 

I hope the counters are waist high so you do not break your back. They tend to build these things for short women.

 

Small fridig to keep film/paper cool.

 

enjoy the man space

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It does look great! I lost my darkroom when we moved in '94, but I still hope to convert a room now that I'm retired.

I wouldn't carpet because dust control might be harder. I agree with other posts that filtering and eliminating dust are essential.

I learned in my last house to make it completely light-tight, and then paint the walls a very light color so the safe-lights become more useful.

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What a wonderful space. I, too, lost my darkroom when I moved about 9 years ago, it was not glamorous like this, just a converted bathroom, but it was always set up. I vote for the black walls, they help soak up every speck of stray light, as well as add to the zen of your space. Looking forward to watching your progress.

kaethe

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Tobey, thanks for the info on the fluorescent lights. I have seen some of them glowing before, but never gave it much thought.

 

I have a 4-foot bank right in front of my enlarger to check the photos when they are in the fix. I think I will put up a different type of light.

 

Wayne

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Brilliant - nothing like doing it properly :)

 

Thanks Andy. After sheds, attics, a lean-to, not to mention darkrooms on ships along with shelves and cupboards of gear you use once. I decided this one would be minimalist and have some creature comforts too!

 

 

Fluorescent lamps glow after shut off. This makes them unsatisfactory for a darkroom.

 

 

They are LED fluorescent lamps - instant on/off - no afterglow.

 

As for the carpet that is an industrial use close weave carpet - anti-static and waterproof.

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Charlie - thanks. All well and laid back here! Sue doesn't miss the Tube commute in to the Royal Free that's for sure. The old Burns Unit and Plastic Surgery Dept have been razed to the ground now - end of an era.

 

Your old M-Rokkor 90/4 is getting more use down here.;)

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