Small house darkroom options

[Bobonli]

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I recently returned to shooting film and processed my first rolls of B&W film. The goal has always been to eventually print my work for my own enjoyment. Plan was to go to a community darkroom to print but it’s 70 mins each way by train and I’d have to pay a membership. I recently came across a couple of references to the Intrepid small enlarger and am now wondering if I should try to set something up in my home. 

The bathroom is just big enough for 1 person to occupy. You’re either going to the toilet or in the tub. So I don’t see that being a practical solution since there’s no room for the enlarger ( not even atop the toilet!). Basement is dusty and has too many light leaks to cover. Garage actually might make most sense except for the seams around the door, or a bedroom which my wife would be cranky about. 

I’m sure I’m not the first to ask for help / suggestions on where to make a temp darkroom. Key is temporary. I’d be taking it apart after each use. I considered a pop up darkroom tent but people report that they get hot and can be a pain to set up and take down regularly.

Which brings me back to the Intrepid. At first pass it looks appealing for this application but I’d still need a stand, easel etc and some reviews are less than glowing. So let’s say I go shopping for something entry level or used. What should I be looking at for in an enlarger that’s relatively compact, easy to move, for example, to a storage shelf in the basement when not in use? 

Or maybe the answer is ‘skip it send your stuff to the lab!”  though I had a lot of fun developing the film.

I’m open to suggestions. Thank you.

[BernardC]

7 hours ago, Bobonli said:

The bathroom is just big enough for 1 person to occupy. You’re either going to the toilet or in the tub. So I don’t see that being a practical solution since there’s no room for the enlarger ( not even atop the toilet!). Basement is dusty and has too many light leaks to cover. Garage actually might make most sense except for the seams around the door, or a bedroom which my wife would be cranky about. 

You should consider splitting the wet side and dry side. That's what I did for my first apartment darkroom. The wet side was three trays in the tub, and the dry side was an enlarger in a small room that was relatively easy to keep dark: it had one small window, and the door was at the end of a long hallway. 

Moving exposed paper between the two rooms was a hastle, but it was also a strong incentive to keep my exposures consistent! I would expose half a dozen prints at a time, and batch-process together. 

[250swb]

Many years ago when I lived in a flat and worked freelance with newspapers there was often a need to get photos out during the day. Having no darkroom I bought some heavy curtains for the dining room and set the enlarger up on the dining room table and took the exposed paper the short distance to the kitchen to develop it. Fortunately the kitchen didn't have any windows and the curtains only let in a very, very low level of light and were fine for the very low ISO of printing paper, just don't leave the box open. So have a look around the house and see if there's a similar compromise you can make.

Edited October 27, 2023 by 250swb

[LocalHero1953]

The last time I did this (1983?), I laid a large board laid across the bath and put the enlarger and trays on that, keeping a gap at one end to the bath underneath where I kept jugs of chemicals in water at the correct temperature.

But it was always a hassle blacking out the window and door frame, except after dark. The bath was not the right height for my back either. It was possible, but I have no wish to do it again.

[dpitt]

10 hours ago, Bobonli said:

Which brings me back to the Intrepid. At first pass it looks appealing for this application but I’d still need a stand, easel etc and some reviews are less than glowing. So let’s say I go shopping for something entry level or used. What should I be looking at for in an enlarger that’s relatively compact, easy to move, for example, to a storage shelf in the basement when not in use? 

Or maybe the answer is ‘skip it send your stuff to the lab!”  though I had a lot of fun developing the film.

I’m open to suggestions. Thank you.

You are more courageous than me. Maybe I could consider to separate the wet part and setting that up each time, but not the dry part. I looked up the Intrepid and to me it looks like it still has a large footprint, maybe it can stored a little more compact than a simple Leica enlarger but that is it. Since the enlarger takes up space anyhow, I think I would look for a place where I can leave it as is, with the stock of paper and other things. I did not have this opportunity for a number of years now...

The answer is NOT 'send your stuff to the lab'. It gets harder to find any store or lab you can trust with your precious film... My last few attempts were a disaster and the one store that had decent results closed a year ago.

Developing film and scanning looks easier to set up and store each time. And you do not really need a dark room to develop film. Even if I would have a wet print darkroom available, I would still want to have some form of digital result, if only to easily share with friends and on the web. So for me it is develop film and scan only now. Scanning with a scanner is easiest, but more time consuming and using a digital camera (if you have one) with a rig to shoot 1:1 frames is now my favorite way to convert my negatives to digital.

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by dpitt

[M.Hilo]

If I were you, I'd get a Leitz Valoy II. You will be able to print up to 12x16in. And the prints come out the same as any high end enlarger that could be considered. I do not say this because it is Leitz. It just fits your requirements. It is small, it is light and, unless you drop it on the floor, there's little you can do wrong to damage it while moving it around.

[Bobonli]

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I don’t think there’s nearly enough room in the bathroom to do wet/dry. And I really don’t want to be on my knees operating the enlarger on top of the bathtub. Leaning ( no pun intended) toward the garage where I can set up a folding table or two. 
 

On the fence as to whether use trays or a drum to develop prints. Would like to hear people’s experiences. Also on the fence with regard to enlarger model and whether searching used will have me inheriting someone else’s problems or a device that’s incomplete/missing parts. I see there are new, small models on B&H for less than $600. 

[willeica]

11 hours ago, dpitt said:

Maybe I could consider to separate the wet part and setting that up each time, but not the dry part

That is one possible solution for smaller places.

On a lighter note, various things have been tried in the past such as the following: 

Ruby Tent From the 1880s, complete with illustration of how to use it. It looks for all the world like a 'wrong way' anorak.

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Coming in the same collection, from c 1903, is this very rare Pocket Darkroom. The only other one I have seen is in the British Science Museum. Apparently, the Pocket Photography Company was formed in 1903 , but closed down soon afterwards. 

Finally, a friend of mine who does wet plate photography tells me that she has converted a 1950s Silver Cross pram into a darkroom. I have asked her for a photograph of it, but she has yet to send it to me.

William 

[250swb]

3 hours ago, Bobonli said:

I don’t think there’s nearly enough room in the bathroom to do wet/dry. And I really don’t want to be on my knees operating the enlarger on top of the bathtub. Leaning ( no pun intended) toward the garage where I can set up a folding table or two. 
 

On the fence as to whether use trays or a drum to develop prints. Would like to hear people’s experiences. Also on the fence with regard to enlarger model and whether searching used will have me inheriting someone else’s problems or a device that’s incomplete/missing parts. I see there are new, small models on B&H for less than $600. 

Use trays (assuming you are doing B&W), and while each print should ideally be developed to completion you have so much more control with tricks of the darkroom  by seeing the print emerge.

[Pyrogallol]

Bathroom was the traditional starting point for doing your own printing, I started that way in the early 70’s, but soon upgraded to my bedroom before finally buying a house of my own with a darkroom.

Black painted hardboard slotted into the bedroom window surround with curtains closed over it will work, that’s what I have in my darkroom now. Dishes are best. I do use a drum on a roller base for sheet film, which I originally used for colour printing then realised it was better than dishes for developing sheet film. The only trouble using a drum for prints is that you cannot see the print developing and it is wasteful for doing small test strips.

[Skydog]

This is a German website but it doesn't really matter since the pictures speak for themselves... maybe you can draw some inspiration from it.

https://analoge-fotografie.net/blog/dunkelkammer-kleiner-raum/ 

[nitroplait]

@Bobonli All makeshift darkrooms will be different in any house, of course, but maybe my experience can give inspiration to your approach:

I live in a 55 square meter apartment with my wife - same place for the past 35 years and most likely until we are carried out, so no chance of a dedicated darkroom for me.

We recently had a flood of our basement storage and my enlarger, darkroom table and light sealing solutions were ruined, so the setup you see here is based on what materials was available on the day, but they work and I will refine them with time (and maybe make them flood resistant this time).

The film developing part is no problem - a good darkroom bag - and can be done anytime without bothering anyone - as long as I have sufficient time to dry the film before someone claims the shower.
I camera-scan negatives as contact/proofs/casual internet use - and darkroom print only what I really want to see on real silver gelatine paper. Proof printing is done from the scans on a compact Canon Selphy dye sublimation printer.

I try to be well prepared as to what to print during the session before setting up the darkroom, to make the most of the limited time available.

I try set up my darkroom when the wife is out of town for the weekend as not to bother her unnecessarily.

I seemingly always have a "bad" first day of printing and don't get into the grove until day two. By waiting until I have the apartment for myself for sufficient time, I don't have to take things down for the night and don't have to stress because of hard end deadline - which takes the fun out for me.

Our bathroom is windowless and is used for the wet part. A plate of wood fastened to the sink with a clamp for a comfortable working height. Rinsing is done in the bathtub. The toilet can still be used but I have to go to the kitchen to wash hands

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Just outside the bathroom is the entrance area of the apartment. There is the entrance door and a door with a window above leading to the adjoining living room, but not windows directly to the outside. Windows facing the outside are a pain to completely darken especially if hit by the sun during your chosen darkroom time.

The window above the door is blocked with cardboard that can just be pushed in place. The cardboard edges are made soft and can just be pressed to eliminate light leaks - a larger window would probably require taping along the edges.
Corrugated cardboard from a regular box is sufficient to keep the light out IMO, and can be folded for easy storage.

Lightleaks at floor level is easily eliminated with a rolled up towel. I don't have lightleaks along the door edges.

The enlarger is placed in a corner to make as much space for moving around and not falling over things. Just a piece of board and a pair of folding bench legs that doesn't take up space when not in use. I can't work for the hours it takes to make satisfactory prints in an awkward position.

Enlarger:

The enlarger I use is a recently acquired old Durst M600 that prints up to 6x6. It can be separated into 3 parts that fits into the original styrofoam box when not in use - which is ideal for my use-case scenario.

Durst M300, M301, M305 are also excellent compact enlargers if you only plan to do 35mm.

Durst was very popular in Europe and seem to be easily available in local classifieds for pocket change where I live.

In any case, get an enlarger with a filter drawer or color head which you'll need for variable contrast paper. Some old enlarger requires workarounds for use with filters - been there -not worth it in my opinion.

I'd look to see what frequently comes up in whatever local sales channels available to you - and do my research based on local availability. There is no reason to fixate on a specific brand/model - most enlargers were solidly made of metal - and popularity varies depending on region in the world.

I'd recommend to look for someone selling his/her parents old darkroom put away in boxes in the attic - then you'd likely get most of the accessories you need, but the seller will have no idea if it is complete, so do your research from home.
It will likely be cheaper and easier than buying and putting together the Intrepid solution - even if you may end up having to buy 2-3 used "attic darkrooms" to assemble one that fully fits your requirements.

The lenses in these attic-stored enlargers are normally fungus infected, so expect to seek out a lens separately.

I paid the equivalent of €40 for my M600 picked up locally. It came with a less than stellar Componar lens. I already had two excellent El-Nikkors from my old setup - but in M39 mount (Durst's lens board standard at the time was something around 25mm). I had to find Durst lens boards for 39mm lenses - which was harder than finding the enlarger and cost me the same as the enlarger. I wanted the original board, but I could easily have picked up 3D printed lens boards from ebay - so no big problem.

Good luck building a darkroom to your unique specifications.

That part of the project is great fun.

 

[Bobonli]

On 11/7/2023 at 6:51 AM, nitroplait said:

@Bobonli All makeshift darkrooms will be different in any house, of course, but maybe my experience can give inspiration to your approach:

I live in a 55 square meter apartment with my wife - same place for the past 35 years and most likely until we are carried out, so no chance of a dedicated darkroom for me.

We recently had a flood of our basement storage and my enlarger, darkroom table and light sealing solutions were ruined, so the setup you see here is based on what materials was available on the day, but they work and I will refine them with time (and maybe make them flood resistant this time).

The film developing part is no problem - a good darkroom bag - and can be done anytime without bothering anyone - as long as I have sufficient time to dry the film before someone claims the shower.
I camera-scan negatives as contact/proofs/casual internet use - and darkroom print only what I really want to see on real silver gelatine paper. Proof printing is done from the scans on a compact Canon Selphy dye sublimation printer.

I try to be well prepared as to what to print during the session before setting up the darkroom, to make the most of the limited time available.

I try set up my darkroom when the wife is out of town for the weekend as not to bother her unnecessarily.

I seemingly always have a "bad" first day of printing and don't get into the grove until day two. By waiting until I have the apartment for myself for sufficient time, I don't have to take things down for the night and don't have to stress because of hard end deadline - which takes the fun out for me.

Our bathroom is windowless and is used for the wet part. A plate of wood fastened to the sink with a clamp for a comfortable working height. Rinsing is done in the bathtub. The toilet can still be used but I have to go to the kitchen to wash hands

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Just outside the bathroom is the entrance area of the apartment. There is the entrance door and a door with a window above leading to the adjoining living room, but not windows directly to the outside. Windows facing the outside are a pain to completely darken especially if hit by the sun during your chosen darkroom time.

The window above the door is blocked with cardboard that can just be pushed in place. The cardboard edges are made soft and can just be pressed to eliminate light leaks - a larger window would probably require taping along the edges.
Corrugated cardboard from a regular box is sufficient to keep the light out IMO, and can be folded for easy storage.

Lightleaks at floor level is easily eliminated with a rolled up towel. I don't have lightleaks along the door edges.

The enlarger is placed in a corner to make as much space for moving around and not falling over things. Just a piece of board and a pair of folding bench legs that doesn't take up space when not in use. I can't work for the hours it takes to make satisfactory prints in an awkward position.

Enlarger:

The enlarger I use is a recently acquired old Durst M600 that prints up to 6x6. It can be separated into 3 parts that fits into the original styrofoam box when not in use - which is ideal for my use-case scenario.

Durst M300, M301, M305 are also excellent compact enlargers if you only plan to do 35mm.

Durst was very popular in Europe and seem to be easily available in local classifieds for pocket change where I live.

In any case, get an enlarger with a filter drawer or color head which you'll need for variable contrast paper. Some old enlarger requires workarounds for use with filters - been there -not worth it in my opinion.

I'd look to see what frequently comes up in whatever local sales channels available to you - and do my research based on local availability. There is no reason to fixate on a specific brand/model - most enlargers were solidly made of metal - and popularity varies depending on region in the world.

I'd recommend to look for someone selling his/her parents old darkroom put away in boxes in the attic - then you'd likely get most of the accessories you need, but the seller will have no idea if it is complete, so do your research from home.
It will likely be cheaper and easier than buying and putting together the Intrepid solution - even if you may end up having to buy 2-3 used "attic darkrooms" to assemble one that fully fits your requirements.

The lenses in these attic-stored enlargers are normally fungus infected, so expect to seek out a lens separately.

I paid the equivalent of €40 for my M600 picked up locally. It came with a less than stellar Componar lens. I already had two excellent El-Nikkors from my old setup - but in M39 mount (Durst's lens board standard at the time was something around 25mm). I had to find Durst lens boards for 39mm lenses - which was harder than finding the enlarger and cost me the same as the enlarger. I wanted the original board, but I could easily have picked up 3D printed lens boards from ebay - so no big problem.

Good luck building a darkroom to your unique specifications.

That part of the project is great fun.

 

Wow. Thank you for the comprehensive response. 

[davidrc]

On 10/26/2023 at 10:43 PM, Bobonli said:

I recently returned to shooting film and processed my first rolls of B&W film. The goal has always been to eventually print my work for my own enjoyment. Plan was to go to a community darkroom to print but it’s 70 mins each way by train and I’d have to pay a membership. I recently came across a couple of references to the Intrepid small enlarger and am now wondering if I should try to set something up in my home. 

The bathroom is just big enough for 1 person to occupy. You’re either going to the toilet or in the tub. So I don’t see that being a practical solution since there’s no room for the enlarger ( not even atop the toilet!). Basement is dusty and has too many light leaks to cover. Garage actually might make most sense except for the seams around the door, or a bedroom which my wife would be cranky about. 

I’m sure I’m not the first to ask for help / suggestions on where to make a temp darkroom. Key is temporary. I’d be taking it apart after each use. I considered a pop up darkroom tent but people report that they get hot and can be a pain to set up and take down regularly.

Which brings me back to the Intrepid. At first pass it looks appealing for this application but I’d still need a stand, easel etc and some reviews are less than glowing. So let’s say I go shopping for something entry level or used. What should I be looking at for in an enlarger that’s relatively compact, easy to move, for example, to a storage shelf in the basement when not in use? 

Or maybe the answer is ‘skip it send your stuff to the lab!”  though I had a lot of fun developing the film.

I’m open to suggestions. Thank you.

As someone with decades of “home” darkrooms, most of which was as a pro, I can speak with some experience.

Firstly, reading and guesstimating your home, the advice of dev and scan is a sound one. You don’t need a darkroom.
I guess you want the enjoyment of film? I can understand why.  If you have the same motivation for printing, but have never done so, do not underestimate the logistics. Setting up in a small space is a nightmare, I assume you have two toilets? Otherwise, well use your imagination!
You need a dedicated spare room, if only on a temporary basis, say a few days at a time.  Printing takes time, plenty of it.
You will still need part of a bathroom for print washing, mixing etc.  Do not forget the toxicity of chemicals in the air without at the very least passive air changes, or cleaning spills in the bathroom from mixing and washing. Skin allergies risks should be considered.
Durst enlargers can be had very easily, though prices are now creeping back up.
All being said, it is rewarding, but you cannot just “make do”, it will hinder you, frustrate you.

[Pintpot]

The biggest footprint will be the 3 trays you will need, a better solution would be a Nova slot processor, check eBay for this - but make sure the paper clips come with it.

[Danner]

On 4/12/2024 at 3:46 PM, Pintpot said:

The biggest footprint will be the 3 trays you will need, a better solution would be a Nova slot processor, check eBay for this - but make sure the paper clips come with it.

This!!!  The Nova slot processors aren't currently available new, but you can find them used.  https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com in Stratford-upon-Avon has suggested that if enough of us pre-order them, they will get more built.  It put in my bid.  They do still sell the paper clip devices, which are a wonderful design.

I have a generously sized darkroom, but I still use my Nova 8x10 processor more than my trays.  I only use trays for 11x14 and 16x20 inch prints.

 

EDIT:  Here's a link to the slot processor in particular:  https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/Products/Nova-Print-Processors

Edited April 18, 2024 by Danner

[Pintpot]

2 hours ago, Danner said:

This!!!  The Nova slot processors aren't currently available new, but you can find them used.  https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com in Stratford-upon-Avon has suggested that if enough of us pre-order them, they will get more built.  It put in my bid.  They do still sell the paper clip devices, which are a wonderful design.

I have a generously sized darkroom, but I still use my Nova 8x10 processor more than my trays.  I only use trays for 11x14 and 16x20 inch prints.

 

EDIT:  Here's a link to the slot processor in particular:  https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/Products/Nova-Print-Processors

Thanks for the information regarding the print clips sir, I was lucky as I got my 12 x 16 inch one from a local chap years ago. not only does it save space but chemical volume as well, and if one uses the floating rods when not in use it also prevents oxidisation of the developer.

[Danner]

12 minutes ago, Pintpot said:

Thanks for the information regarding the print clips sir, I was lucky as I got my 12 x 16 inch one from a local chap years ago. not only does it save space but chemical volume as well, and if one uses the floating rods when not in use it also prevents oxidisation of the developer.

I would love to get a 12x16 version.  Have not seen one offered on the user market... Yet

[Pintpot]

Yes I was lucky to get mine, I even processed 5x4 film in it - dead simple!

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Einst_Stein]

Developing film is easy. You don’t need a darkroom, just a dark bag. The print is the issue. For print, let’s separate the dry side and the wet side. 

The dry side is the enlarged. It is probably very typical, not much  to play. I had a small room under the stair. It is mostly dark, except the door gap that needs a good treat to block the light. 

For the wet side, I remember the Nova desktop vertical slot processor, which takes very little room. It is long discontinued, but I think it is easy to DIY. For example, get a large piece of plastic (red or yellow transparent) think darkroom safe light, would be better. You bend it to make several slot room (zigzag, like two W) then use two pieces think plastic (as the vertical walls) to glue the three pieces into a multiple slot container. Each slot would be for one bath, four slots would be enough for most process.  The whole think could be done in $100。 

Edited April 18, 2024 by Einst_Stein