Post by Steaphany on Jun 23, 2013 20:47:44 GMT
It's Oxymoron Day !
Did you ever consider that a Darkroom doesn't need to be dark ?
The only aspects of film wet darkroom processing that needs to be kept or handled in the dark is unprocessed film. Like film, color print paper also needs to be handled in the dark, but if you are only working with B&W print paper, with a spectral sensitivity of blue to green, you can easily have your darkroom illuminated by Red safe lights.
( Saying your afraid of the dark is no excuse any more ! )
To process your film, tanks are available which only need to in the dark when the film is being loaded. Afterwards, every processing step is conducted in normal room light.
Example Developing tanks
I recommend that you review what size film the tank you choose can handle. Some are limited to 35 mm, others handle 35 mm, 120 and 220. If you plan on also doing large format, 4x5 or larger cut sheet film, you may need to get more than one style of tank. Watch for tanks that require to buy the film reels separately.
B&W paper can easily be processed in a series of trays or you can find tanks that can perform day light paper processing. ( Very recommended for color print processing )
Example Developing Trays
Example Safe Lights
For those who have no means to achieve a film light safe room ( completely dark ), you can get a film changing bag ! These are light tight film safe fabric bags with a zippered opening to insert and extract your supplies and two sleeves allowing you to insert your arms. Now you can open the reel of film, load it onto the film reel, secure it in the processing tank, all in the dark.
Example Film Changing Bags
Did you ever consider that a Darkroom doesn't need to be dark ?
The only aspects of film wet darkroom processing that needs to be kept or handled in the dark is unprocessed film. Like film, color print paper also needs to be handled in the dark, but if you are only working with B&W print paper, with a spectral sensitivity of blue to green, you can easily have your darkroom illuminated by Red safe lights.
( Saying your afraid of the dark is no excuse any more ! )
To process your film, tanks are available which only need to in the dark when the film is being loaded. Afterwards, every processing step is conducted in normal room light.
Example Developing tanks
I recommend that you review what size film the tank you choose can handle. Some are limited to 35 mm, others handle 35 mm, 120 and 220. If you plan on also doing large format, 4x5 or larger cut sheet film, you may need to get more than one style of tank. Watch for tanks that require to buy the film reels separately.
B&W paper can easily be processed in a series of trays or you can find tanks that can perform day light paper processing. ( Very recommended for color print processing )
Example Developing Trays
Example Safe Lights
For those who have no means to achieve a film light safe room ( completely dark ), you can get a film changing bag ! These are light tight film safe fabric bags with a zippered opening to insert and extract your supplies and two sleeves allowing you to insert your arms. Now you can open the reel of film, load it onto the film reel, secure it in the processing tank, all in the dark.
Example Film Changing Bags