I put together a home DARKROOM. I've been developing & scanning photographic film for years but have not printed any of my photos. After taking a darkroom class earlier this year I felt it was time.
My goals were:
- Put the darkroom together "on the cheap"
- No modifications to the space.
I wanted to keep the total cost (not including chemicals) under $300. This budget combined with no physical modifications meant if I didn't like using a darkroom the amount invested wasn't large and it would be easy to return the space to its original condition.
I didn't want to buy anything new if possible. Repurposed items available at home, items purchased used or cheaply. The only item purchased at full price was the Paterson Darkroom Safelight. The total cost came in just under $250.
First, the location. I have a "spare" bathroom I've used to develop film for several years. The bathroom is split into a sink area and then a separate shower / tub toilet area. The shower / toilet area has a door so it's separated from the sink area. This is the space I used for the darkroom. The space I'm using is about 7'x4'.
Here's what the space looks like & includes:
I put the enlarger on a rolling utility cart that fit nicely under the window and next to some built in shelves. The cart holds is big enough to hold the enlarger, the paper easel & an old iPhone that I'm using as a timer (red light accessibility setting).
Next to the rolling cart is a storage cabinet (for towels, etc) that is unused. I put a small adjustable height folding table on top of it to hold the chemical trays.
The safelight is simply propped up securely on a towel rack.
In the shower / tub there is a clothing rack that has a plastic cover over it. That is the space where I'll hang the prints to dry. Inside the clothing rack is a piece of acrylic plastic and squeegee to wipe water off the paper. On the bottom of the tub under the spout is an unused car oil changing pail. I put legs on one side so when in the shower the curved lip is the lower than the water level so water will run out. This is where I'll wash the developed and fixed paper.
Finally, I used some black out curtain material from Amazon (aluminized on one side / black on the other) to cover the window. I simply cut it to shape and mounted it with Velcro. I did a light tight check and ended up putting gaffers tape up on several spots.
After the sun sets with the sink area lights off the darkroom is completely dark. During the day there is light gap under the door so I've made a simple black cloth snake I put under the door. It works.
Here's a breakdown of the items and costs:
- Enlarger - Omega ColorPrintMaker - Facebook Marketplace = $100
- Paper easel - came with the enlarger
- Paterson Darkroom Safelight - Roberts Camera = $62
- Plastic 30'x20" folding table - Amazon = $30
- Trays & tongs - Roberts Camera "tent sale" = <$5
- Paterson Micro Focus Finder - from a friend = free
- Timer - unused iPhone stopwatch app with red light setting
- Oil changing pail - had at home / repurposed
- Drying rack with plastic over - have been using for film developing
- Plexiglas and squeegee - Lowes = ~$25
- Hanging clips - have had available but not used
- Black out curtain - Amazon = $20
- Enlarger rolling table - had at home / repurposed
I also bought a 250 count of Ilford Multigrade 8x10 paper from Roberts Camera at their tent sale for $40 (it had just past the expiration date). I also have about 3x1/2 assorted boxes of paper left over from my darkroom class.
So I'm ready to go. I'll check back in after my first test session on any changes needed. Should be fun!
